Resume Writing Services - 5 Things To Look For In A Resume Writing Service

© David Alan Carter
All Rights Reserved

Resume writing services are a dime a dozen. There, I said it. Sorry to be so blunt, but if you're in the early stages of a job search and need a professionally written resume, you need to know that there are a lot of services out there that want your business. I mean a lot. And not all of them deserve it.

Resume Writing Services - Shingles In Search Of Talent

The problem is, start-up costs for a resume writing service is minimal. And qualifications are subjective. Any Tom, Dick or Harry who thinks he can write can (and often does) put up a shingle and call himself a resume service. Of course, that doesn't mean he's any good at it. They say practice makes perfect. But think twice before you let just any old resume writer practice on you and your future.

What To Look For In A Good Resume Writing Service

If you live in a moderately large city, there will be a number of local services vying for your business. If you feel that you must deal face-to-face with your writer, call and speak with a few of these services. On the other hand, the internet offers access to a universe of writers not tethered to a particular locale. Indeed, with a few keystrokes, you're increasingly more likely to find a writer who best matches your needs. Whether local or on the Web, here are the top 5 things you need to look for in deciding who gets your business.

1) Certification.

I'll be honest: I've known resume writers who can write circles around anyone and have no certification next to their name. Just like there are mechanics and accountants with no accreditation who can work magic with cars and calculators. Problem is, this type of professional is particularly hard to find. Unless you have a specific recommendation from someone whose judgement you trust, I advise looking for a certified resume writer.

To be clear, a certificate does not confer magical powers on a writer. But it does means that the writer has met a minimum standard of qualification at one of two industry associations: either the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches, or the National Resume Writers' Association. The accreditations hold similar heft in the industry, and they are – respectively – the Certified Professional Resume Writer (CRPW) and the Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW).

Accreditation signifies that your writer is knowledgeable in resume techniques, versed in the language of the industry, and acceptably skilled in translating job qualifications into prose that sells.

2) Writer Background.

Find out what your writer was doing in the workforce before he became a resume writer. Ideally, you want a writer who shares a similar profession to your own, making him or her particularly well versed in the nuances of your discipline. The larger resume services operating on the Web, for example, are able to tap a large pool of certified resume writers with diverse workplace backgrounds, and work hard to pair you with a suitable match. A good thing.

3) Interview.

The best way for a writer to get to know you – your professional goals, what you can offer a company – is to conduct a telephone (or face-to-face) interview. A questionnaire and email correspondence is fine for gathering routine background information, but a phone interviews allows the writer to draw out your unique qualifications and do a better job of marketing you to prospective employers. Because they take time, and time is money, you'll spend more for the resume. But you'll receive a resume that is more personalized, more targeted, more effective.

4) Availability of Resume Samples.

How do you know a writer can write? Look at what he's written. Make sure the resume service you're considering has samples available of resumes they've written for past clients. Make sure you like what you see.

5) Pricing.

Factoring in certification, a telephone interview, and a writer with a background in your discipline, you're not going to get a resume for $40 or $50 bucks. If you do, it won't be worth the paper it's printed on. So, what's it going to cost?

• If you're a mid-level professional with 2-5 years experience, expect to pay $150 to $200 for a resume that will compete in the marketplace.
• Senior-level managers and executives should expect the bill to come in at $250 to $450. More, if you want an accomplished writer and recognized master in the profession (e.g. Erin Kennedy) working on your personal marketing campaign.
• Entry-level and recent grads should be able to get a quality product for around $90 to $150.

On that latter point, time and talent cost money, and you want both working on your behalf. This is, after all, your future. BTW, if you'd like to quickly narrow your search down to the top 10 leading resume writing services on the Web, jump to Resume Writing Services Reviews where I give each a star ranking and a mini-review.

Best of luck. --David

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