How We Select Sites for ForwardYourResume.com
We select sites for evaluation on the basis of site traffic (based on data obtained from Web site measurement services), sales volume, or our determination of a site's popularity or relevance in a given category. We may also include a site when, based on our experience, we deem it to be of particular interest and one job seekers should know about. In every case, we follow a consistent evaluation procedure.

Using an in-depth checklist, we take note of all aspects of a site's credibility, usability, cost, content, etc. During our evaluations, we also anticipate discovery-exploring to find what is special, unique, and new about a site. Using these two approaches, we offer an overall sense of the total experience at each site we evaluate.

Works In Progress
Web sites are works in progress, evolving as new technologies and e-commerce strategies emerge. That is why we revisit and, as necessary, reevaluate sites on a regular basis, as job seekers' expectations, and ours, change. It should be noted that it is always possible that problems we found might have been addressed since our last site revisit.

What We Look For
ForwardYourResume.com evaluates the credibility, usability, cost, and content of resume distribution Web sites. What we look for in a specific site varies to some degree, depending on the type of services and/or information offered. Although the criteria outlined below generally apply across the board, individual components may be judged more or less important for different categories.

When assessing credibility, the disclosure of sources of advice and of a site's relationships with advertisers and other sponsors is considered critical when reviewing service and information sites.

The 5-Star ratings reflect our evaluations of the best and worst features within a specific category, so ratings of sites in different categories are not directly comparable. Over time, we will make changes to our criteria to reflect improvements in technology and our own changing expectations.

Credibility
The credibility score reflects our evaluation of a site's explanation of privacy, security, and customer service policies, and the disclosure of pertinent business-related information.

Privacy and Security
A clear privacy policy statement describes the type of personal information collected from a customer, the reason that information is collected, and who will have access to the information.

The better sites:

Do not share any information with third parties unless the job seeker gives explicit consent.

Have a clear security policy statement describing the strategy employed by the Web site to ensure the safety of a job seeker's credit card and personal information. Sites should use state-of-the-art security (for example, SSL). When placing an order, there should be an indication of security on the screen in the form of a small locked padlock icon or an unbroken key icon in the lower left- or right-hand corner of the browser. Additionally, the "http" URL designation in the address window of the browser should change to "https" (note the added "s") when you are working in a secure section of the Web site.

Services
A clear customer service policy describes how and when a representative may be contacted. Customer-focused services should be provided to enhance the end user's process, including a telephone number, an e-mail address, and a "snail mail" address. Service should be available for reasonably extensive hours (for example: 5 days a week for at least 8 to 10 hours a day). A Help or Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section should be available. Resume distribution services should send an e-mail confirmation of an order and notification of when resumes are distributed to recruiters, etc. Any fees for additional services should be reasonable.

The better sites:

	Offer customer service on a toll-free phone line.
	Send an e-mail confirmation of an order and notification of distribution or posting.

Disclosure

Site identification
Site identification information should include a telephone number, ground address, and an e-mail address. Company ownership and/or affiliations should be clearly identified.

The better sites:

	Provide assurances that advice, information, and tools found on the site are objective/unbiased and state accurately the number of recruiters presently using the service.
	Have few, if any, disclaimers.
	Limit legal jargon.
	Accept responsibility for all information and advice on the site.
	Have an especially consumer-friendly policy for protecting buyer's rights.

Usability
The usability score reflects our evaluation of how easily and efficiently a site can be browsed and searched, as well as the ease of placing an order.

Design
Each page of the site should be designed and structured so that job seekers can easily comprehend the information presented and can easily find what they need.

The better sites:

	Have a simple and consistent design. The best designs are those that are hardly noticed.
	Have pages that are not too cluttered, use moderation in color, use color combinations and typefaces that are easy to read, and avoid the use of distracting animation. The pages are organized so that important information is emphasized, and all information is grouped and presented in a logical fashion.
	Use consistent organization across pages.

Navigation (browsing and searching)
Whether job seekers want to browse through all services and information, look at a specific category of service or information, or search for a specific service, they should be able to do so easily and with the fewest number of mouse clicks possible.

The better sites:
· Have clear navigation aids (button bars, consistent icons, highlighted icons, cursor changes to different shapes, etc.) on every page that allow visitors to know where they are on the site at all times. Clear navigation will also make it easy for visitors to go where they want to go and to find their way back to where they have been.
· Are organized so that visitors can move around with the fewest number of mouse clicks (three to four clicks should be the maximum).
· Have links that work and no dead ends.

Content
The content score reflects our evaluation of the breadth and depth of product and information categories and choices within those categories, the amount and quality of information, and the availability of useful personalized/customized, special, or unique features. The content score is not meant to be an assessment of the veracity or accuracy of a site's content.

The better sites:

	Clearly describe each service and what is included with it in order to differentiate it from other choices.
	Offer additional useful information, such as reviews, links to related services, etc.
	Make it easy to change the quantity of each item ordered and to remove unwanted items.
	List prices clearly.

Unique Features
These are distinctive features that take advantage of interactive technologies and make searching for the right resume distribution service a worthwhile experience.

The better sites:

Offer useful, not superfluous, features that work.

How We Evaluate:
In the ForwardYourResume.com 5-Star Rating System, the overall score is a reflection of our evaluation of a site's credibility, usability, cost, and content, and how these components come together to create a satisfying, efficient, and effective online experience. The overall score is not necessarily an average of the scores for policies, usability, and content.

If one or more of these components is considered to be exceptional, the site may receive a higher overall score than would be indicated by a simple average. By the same token, if one of the components is considered to be very poor, the site may receive a lower overall score. (The ratings of Web sites in different product or service categories are not directly comparable).

	Not sharing personal information with third parties.
	Providing 24/7 customer service via a toll-free telephone number.
	Accepting responsibility for all information and advice on the site.
	Having a customer-friendly policy for protecting buyer's rights.

	Consistent, clear-cut design.
	More efficient and less confusing navigation.
	Search engine that is well cross-referenced, flexible, and "smart."
	Well-organized browsing capability.
	Simple-to-complete order form with a "Cancel" button.

	Possessing a particularly extensive selection of services (including one-of-a-kind items).
	Having useful product information not available at other similar sites (for example, professional or customer reviews and links to related products).
	Offering useful features such as an address book, reminder service, personal accounts, newsletters, and other features that take advantage of interactive technologies that enhance the end user's experience.

Our goal is to provide you with:
In-depth, unbiased, real-world reviews of the sites that will get your resume looked at by top recruiters Nationwide!

Click here to start with the top ranked resume distribution Website.