Do you really need to hire a professional to write your resume?
If you don’t have the time, energy or inclination to write your own resume, then hiring a professional resume writer is better than the uninspired document you might come up with.
I’ve seen horrible resumes and I’ve seen awesome resumes. There is a difference.
Most often, the bad ones are written by people who do not know how to document their accomplishments. These “bad” resumes just list job duties. And when this happens, the bad resumes all look the same.
A good resume shows how you’ve been successful in past roles. Your resume tells your story and conveys your style and personality. This is NOT easy to do. You also have to understand how recruiter’s think and how ATS (applicant tracking systems) work in order to use the right keywords.
The bottom line is – you will need a resume.
Just keep in mind that a resume is a small part of your job search. The resume might open a door. But it is the interview that seals the deal.
I Don’t Write Resumes
In my opinion, job seekers put way too much emphasis on this document. I don’t want to support their obsession so I purposefully do not write resumes.
However, I do consult and collaborate with highly skilled executive resume writers. The good ones understand the hiring process, the thought process and technology used by recruiters, and can craft amazing stories for their clients.
Here are the professional resume writers I recommend.
Objectively Evaluate Your Resume
If you have applied to multiple jobs and your phone isn’t ringing (or you haven’t received an email for a phone screen) then it is safe to say – your resume isn’t working!
It’s almost impossible to evaluate your own resume, so ask someone to help you with this. You can download this resume review checklist to evaluate your resume.
If you’ve reached the point where you feel you do need a professional resume writer, then finding someone is step one. Don’t just rely on a Google search for top resume writers. You want to work with someone you know, like and trust! This is an investment in your future. Check out these recommended resume writers.
Not sure what a resume writer does? Executive resume writer, Meg Guiseppi, provided insight here What Do Professional Resume Writers Do?
What’s Your Investment?
Hiring a writer to help you craft your resume can cost anywhere from $49 to $4,900 or more. As is true with any purchase, you pay for what you get.
To better understand the level of service provided and how to evaluate resume writers, let’s hear from some resume writers I respect.
How To Find A Resume Writer
Donna Svei of AvidCareerist, put this together to help you identify the best resume writer for you!
Finding the best resume writer for YOU is important. Not all resume writers work the same way or produce the same types of resumes. You want to work with someone who understands your occupation and has experience writing about it! And don’t miss her four warnings about what to look out for when investigating professional resume writing services. There are scams out there.
How To Evaluate A Resume Writer
There are a lot of resume writers and not all are created equal. Conduct your due diligence and be sure you select the best one for you.
Lisa Rangel of Chameleon Resumes suggests evaluating resume writers by asking these questions:
- Have they worked at a search firm and/or in corporate recruiting in their past career?
- What real-world hiring and recruiting expertise do they have?
- How recent is that expertise?
To see more great questions you should be asking, go read her article on how to evaluate the best resume writer for you.
Feedback On Resume Writing Services
LinkedIn is a great way to share thoughts, ideas and opinions. I highly recommend you check out this article on LinkedIn and review the 105+ comments about resume writing services.
Don’t Forget About Your LinkedIn Profile
You need an awesome LinkedIn profile too! There are strategies good resume writers know about to help your LinkedIn profile look better and rank higher. LinkedIn has become almost as important as your resume so make sure any professional you work with also understands how to craft effective LinkedIn profiles!
Recommendations For A Professional Resume Writer
Check out these resume writers I’ve worked with and highly recommend.
Recommended Professional Resume Writers
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
