Editor’s note: Jason Sanders is the Vice President of Executive Search at Ivy Exec, whose guest post is a reprinted article with the permission of Ivy Exec. 

Most of the resumes that I receive nowadays come from job seekers using career coach services during their executive job search. They may receive advice from an outplacement company hired by their employer, or they may have hired someone themselves.

We have always received unsolicited resumes, but it now seems like using an outside agency is becoming standard practice. That can be great for recruiters because it allows us to decide whether to hit the delete key with much more accuracy.

If you want to set yourself apart from the pack and enhance your ability to network, you have to choose the right company. Here are some things to look for in a career coach:

1. How will their presentation of your credentials set you apart from the pack?
2. Do they offer access to networks that they have nurtured themselves?
3. Would you feel comfortable considering a complete change in the direction of you career, if advised by your career coach?

Notice, that I do not refer to resume templates, databases, mail merges and other such basic tools. Talking about those items as differentiators is like saying a telephone and a laptop make you an outstanding consultant.

If you want to reach a new audience in a new way, you will need a creative, well-connected counselor, who you can trust like you would your doctor.