From Experience to Opportunities: What Résumé Writing Services Really Do

Simply put, Résumé writing services are in the business of writing résumés. They do it from scratch as well as figure out why your current résumé isn’t working – and fix it.

Most of them, however, do a lot more than write résumés. They also write cover letters, provide LinkedIn content writing and optimization, interview coaching and career advice. They turn career stories into job offers.

A Team of Experts

Résumé writing services have expert writers, interview coaches and career advisors who:

• Make your experience and accomplishments clear to hiring managers.
• Tailor your résumé to a specific job and/or industry.
• Ensure your résumé is ATS friendly (uses standard headings; is almost devoid of graphics, charts, and photos; and is easy for online systems to read).
• Prepare you for interviews…even the really tough ones.
• Help you make important decisions about your career.

They are your secret weapon behind winning the job or just being “another face in the crowd.”

Why People Use Résumé Writing Services

People who want to stand out in a competitive field, change careers, increase the number and quality of interviews they get, and make it to the top of the “must hire” candidate list use résumé writing services to shape…and reshape…their careers.

The Different Kinds of Résumé Writing Services

There are three different kinds of résumé-writing services: Large, Boutique and Freelance. Most, however, will begin by asking you a few questions about your experience and career goals. This initial consultation gives you…and the résumé writing service…a chance to decide if the two of you are a good fit.

If the answer is “yes,” you will be given a proposal that should define the services you need, the production schedule, and the cost.

After you’ve agreed to the terms of the proposal and hired the firm, you will be asked in-depth questions about your experience and accomplishments. (This may be done through a telephone interview, written questionnaire or online meeting.) When this step of the process is completed, your project should move forward per the guidelines listed in the proposal you accepted.

How Résumé Writing Services Differ

The service, support and quality of the résumé you receive from a résumé writing service depends on the kind of service you choose.

Large résumé writing services subcontract teams of writers and follow a cutomary, consistent and rigid process. They use standardized templates/formats and repetitive steps in writing each résumé. They are often milestone driven (progress is measured, managed, and motivated by reaching predefined checkpoints) rather than project/client driven. Their flexibility is limited and if you want to diverge from their traditional format or timetable, it may not be possible.

Large résumé writing services provide less personalized attention. Quality can vary widely between individual writers. You may get an inexperienced writer or feel like part of a “production line” rather than a custom-tailored service.

They usually charge higher fees because they have expensive overhead costs.

Boutique résumé writing services (smaller agencies with a few dedicated writers) offer highly personal, one-on-one premium, made-to-order résumés, and career branding services.

Directly contacting the person who is writing your résumé is easier and there is more flexibility in adapting the style, format and messaging of your résumé based on your preferences. Often the collaboration is stronger.

Freelance résumé writing services are independent professionals working solo on platforms like LinkedIn, Upwork and personal websites. They provide one-on-one attention, customized service, and adjust style based on your voice and preferences.

There is no standard vetting of freelance résumé writing services so quality can vary widely. Some freelances are excellent. Others, not so much.

There are no centralized guarantees (a single, central authority who is responsible for ensuring customers are treated fairly and are satisfied with the results). Policies on revisions, outcomes or refunds vary individually. And if your writer is unavailable or unresponsive, you may end up with a résumé that doesn’t meet your needs and no recourse for “getting what you paid for.”

The Cost of Résumé Writing Services

Résumé writing services charge an average of $200 to $1,000+ to write a résumé. The range is wide based on a number of factors that include the sizes and structures of the résumé writing services and their methods of operation.

When researching résumé writing services, consider these questions:

• What is your budget? If it’s tight, freelance résumé writing services may be less costly.

• What is your career stage? If the stakes are high (executive or C-suite), boutique résumé writing services with experienced writers can best meet your needs.

• Are you looking for an industry specific job? If you are in a niche field, look for expertise in that area. Boutique résumé writing services or specialized freelancers would fit nicely here.

• Do you need hand holding? Boutique résumé writing services or well-experienced freelancers should meet your needs.

• Do you want a fast, standardized product? Large résumé writing services should be able to provide it.

Return On Your Investment

Is it worth paying someone to write your résumé rather than writing it yourself?

If you’re stuck or unsure how to start, résumé writing services can get you unstuck. If you want a more polished, professional résumé, résumé writing services can write it for you. If English or writing isn’t your strength, résumé writing services would be a good choice for writing your résumé.

Résumé writing services can turn your potential into interviews and dramatically decrease the time it takes you to land your next career opportunity.

Guidelines to Help You Choose

To help you decide if résumé writing services are right for you, ask yourself:

• Do I need help with wording, formatting, or both?
• Am I getting as many interviews as I would like?
• Am I getting interviews for the kind of job or industry I want?
• Is my résumé ATS friendly?

How to Vet a Résumé Writing Service

If you are considering using a résumé writing service, here are some questions you may want to ask to make sure you choose wisely.

• How will you communicate with me throughout the project?
• How will revisions be handled?
• Will I receive ongoing support during my job search?
• Will I be able to talk to and work with the same professional résumé writer throughout my project, or will I work with different writers?
• Will you primarily communicate with me through telephone, email, or online chat via your website?
• Does you offer at least 1 to 2 free revisions after I get the initial draft of my résumé?  Red flag: Avoid résumé writing services that don’t provide at least 1 to 2 free revisions after sending you the initial draft of the résumé. However, also beware of résumé writing services that offer unlimited revisions. This suggests they lack experience. (No one should have to write or revise your résumé indefinitely to get it right.)
• Can I look at some samples? A good résumé-writing service will show you examples of its work. Do the résumés have clean, easy-to-read formatting? Do they use simple (not excessively elaborate or phony-sounding) language? Do they focus on accomplishments of the individuals for whom they were written?  Red flag: Steer clear of résumé writing services that provide no samples or make unrealistic promises such as “You are guaranteed a job.”
• Where can I find reviews or testimonials from clients? Hint: If the information is not provided, you can check the résumé writing service’s website for comments from clients.
• What are the professional credentials of your writers? Hint: Two especially important ones to look for are Certified Professional Résumé Writer and Certified Career Coach.

Why Choose Us

People choose us because we turn experience into opportunity – and résumés into interviews. We know what recruiters and hiring managers look for in résumés.

Clear and logical structure; demonstration (not just a list) of hard and soft skills; abundance of keywords, job titles, tools, technologies and industries; problem-solving experience; proven results and measurable outcomes; and ATS friendly.