Do you have a hard time putting all your employment history and qualifications into a concise, professional resume? You’re not alone. Even if you’ve had some experience with resume writing, it can be not easy to tailor your resume for each position and employer without the guidance of a professional.
Fortunately, many different services offer help with this daunting process. There are even a few ways that you can help yourself. Let’s explore them now so that you can find the best option for your needs.
What to Consider When Choosing a Resume Writing Service?
Resume writing services can be either costly or cheap. It’s up to you to decide how much time and money you want to spend on this process. You should consider the following factors when picking a service:
- Pricing
Some services will charge you by the page, while others charge by the hour. You’ll want to ask about any upfront fees and hidden costs. Keep in mind that how quickly you need a resume can also affect pricing. A top-quality, well-written resume might cost several hundred dollars. If you want a quick turnaround time, you’ll need to be prepared to pay extra.
If someone asks what you need, tell them the truth. Don’t say “everything” because you’ll wind up with a document that’s full of fluff and generalities.
- Writer Qualifications
Make sure you know who will be writing your resume. Are they certified in resume writing, or do they see a lot of information about the industry you work in? Will they give you the same attention to detail as a seasoned writer? Will they do a good job?
How reputable is the resume writing service you are considering? How many years have they been in business? Who else uses their services?
A resume writing service with a long track record and many satisfied customers is more likely to give you the resume you want than a company that just started hiring writers.
As you approach this task, keep in mind that your resume is a marketing tool. And, like every marketing tool, it must be competitive to grab attention and get read. It must present your skills in such a way that the employer wants to know more about you. It should not repeat what is already apparent from your application materials and interviews.
- Writer Experience
If you’re contacting an agency, make sure that your contact has experience working with clients in your field. For example, ask them if their writers have ever written resumes for people like yourself and what kind of positive reviews they’ve received from clients.
Many agencies have editors who also write resume samples. Ask what they prefer to work with regarding experience and style, whether it’s a traditional resume, a resume summary, or an executive summary.
- Editing and Customer Service
Professional resume writers should offer a free, edited draft of your resume with every order. Be sure to request this service if it isn’t provided to you. You never want to commit to any resume before professional edits it for you. Not only will the editor catch errors and inconsistencies, but they’ll also go over your terminology and format to make sure it’s consistent and polished.
Some writers will also offer unlimited revisions during the editing process. Some even offer a full refund if you’re not satisfied with the finished product. Many resume writers also provide a free consultation with a resume writer to help you tailor it to your specific needs. If you’re considering writing your own resume, this is a great way to get professional feedback at no charge.
Other services will offer editing services for an additional fee. This means that they won’t always be able to go beyond the initial draft they give you, but they will continue polishing your document until it’s just right for you.
The main thing to consider is what kind of customer service you’ll receive. Admittedly, some resume writing services don’t get back to you as quickly as you’d expect. Ensure that the person you talk with has the skills and experience necessary to complete your project on time without panicking. Do they show interest in staying in touch and helping you further?
- Proofreading
You should be able to request a free copy of your resume from your writer at any time. If the service doesn’t make this easy for you, find another one. High-quality resume writing services will always make it a priority to let you know when you can expect your resume back.
- Payment Options
Be sure that you’re only paying for what you need, not for everything that they offer. For example, some resume writing services will offer payment plans, but those charges may be added to all other services without your approval. Again, this is not a way to do business with a professional service.
- Guarantees and Refunds
If you’re considering a free resume review service, make sure you know what material they’ll be editing for you. Also, make sure that they will only edit your resume and not your cover letters because they will expect payment for both if they do both jobs.
You should also know what kind of refund policy this service has for you. If they offer a money-back guarantee, do they require you to submit a written request to receive it? If so, does that mean that you have to pay for the service in advance? You’ll want as few fees as possible if you’re considering using this service.
To summarize,
A resume writer service can help you showcase your achievements and successes, highlighting your skills and experience. However, if you want to ensure that the service is exemplary for you, you should do your homework before hiring them. Now that you know what to look for when considering a company like this, you’ll be able to make an informed choice.
