A professional resume writer would be highly beneficial to most people who are in the midst (or beginning) of a job search. On the other hand, I can’t tell you how often I’ve worked with individuals who had previously had negative experiences with resume writing services. A professionally written resume is a product in the same way any other product is, and you have a choice to either purchase a high-quality resume or a subpar resume. To assist consumers in their purchasing decision, this article offers several suggestions on what you should anticipate from the experience of hiring a professional resume writer.
Credentials
First and foremost, you should look for a resume writer who has received certification from one of several professional organizations. The Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches, the National Resume Writers’ Association, and Career Directors International are just a few examples of organizations that certify professionals. Additional certifications may be worthwhile to consider; however, make sure that your writer can explain their background and training.
When reviewing your resume writer’s credentials, keep in mind that resume writers are experts in writing resumes, not experts in banking, information technology, business development, engineering, or other fields. People frequently look for a resume writer who is an “expert in their field” when hiring one. Even though some writers spend more time working in specific fields than others, you may still need to discuss some of the more industry-specific aspects of your work with them before submitting it.
Pre-Hire Interview / Resume Review at No Cost
A brief phone consultation or resume review should follow after becoming comfortable with your writer’s background. After that, you should be able to make your hiring decision. The resume writer you hire should provide you with feedback on your current resume and any changes they believe should be made. They should also ask you questions about your career objectives, strengths, and most notable accomplishments to include on your resume. Some writers may prefer to have you fill out a questionnaire rather than speak with you on the phone, but they will still ask for the same information in either scenario.
You are in charge of the content.
When you make the decision to hire a resume writer, one of the first things you should realize is that you are responsible for providing the content. In some cases, I’ve worked with clients who specialize in a particular type of work to the point where I can make educated guesses about what they do. Also, I can assist my clients in brainstorming and coming up with work details that they may not have previously considered including on their resumes. After all, is said and done, I must rely on my client to tell me exactly what they have done and accomplished.
In order to do this, a professional resume writer must gather as much information as they can from their client and present it in the most compelling manner possible. We cannot make up content or say things that we know are not true. We are expert writers, but you are the expert on your own professional life. If you are unable to come up with information, consult with coworkers or your supervisor, or send us copies of your performance evaluations. Our ability to create a better resume is directly proportional to the amount of information you provide.
There could be several revisions.
Although I’m sure some of my writing colleagues will take exception to this, you should expect multiple revisions from your resume service. Even though some writers may set a limit (for example, three rounds of revisions), a resume is frequently a work in progress. It’s possible that once you’ve seen the first draft, you’ll come up with some additional information to include. Alternatively, you could show the draft to a supervisor or colleague, who could make suggestions for changes. In either case, you should anticipate an editing process in which you provide feedback, and your writer incorporates that feedback to create an even better document than before.
In addition to anticipating that your writer will be willing to go through multiple rounds of revisions, you should also expect that you will be an integral part of the review process yourself. A flawless resume is an ultimate goal, but your first draft might not be up to the task in the first place. It is reasonable to expect that your resume will be thoroughly scrutinized for accuracy in the following areas: contact information, company names, titles, dates of employment, school names, degrees, credentials, and technical skills. Please notify your writer if any modifications are required.
Best Practices for Writing a Resume
You should anticipate that your resume writer will adhere to certain best practices while still tailoring the resume to your specific requirements and requirements. Most resumes should not be more than two pages in length, but your experience and achievements will determine whether one or two pages are a better fit for your situation.
A resume writer should also work to ensure that your resume is compatible with the standards of applicant tracking software. Consequently, providing your writer with a specific job title or advertisement will be highly beneficial in creating your new document. Your writer may also advise against using specific formatting options because they are incompatible with keyword scanner applications, for example.
If you have any questions about why your writer has made certain recommendations, please do not hesitate to ask them directly. They should be able to provide you with rationales for their decisions, and you should be able to make your own decisions based on the information they provide.
Pre-Payment
Most resume services will require either a complete or partial payment upfront. Before making a purchase, you should consult with your writer about all aspects of the pricing and payment process. When purchasing a resume, it is crucial to understand what is included (a resume only or a resume and cover letter), when you can request a refund, and what options you have if you are dissatisfied with the final product.
Writing services are reluctant to issue full refunds after they have sent you the first draft of your resume because resumes are a product that cannot be “returned” as if you never received it. Alternatively, until you see the finished product for the first time, you will have no way of knowing whether or not you will like it. This stage of the resume writing transaction is probably the most nerve-wracking for both the consumer and the resume writing service provider involved.
I recommend that you notify your writer as soon as possible if you are dissatisfied with your first draft and have a thorough conversation with your writer so that you can both determine whether the document can be improved or not. Try to keep your expectations for the writing and revision process as reasonable as possible while still demanding the high-quality product you deserve.
A professional resume writer would be highly beneficial to the majority of people. Look for a resume writer who has received certification from a choice of several professional organizations. Some writers may prefer to have you fill out a questionnaire rather than speak with you on the phone, but they will still ask for the same information in either scenario. You are responsible for providing the content of your client’s resume. Resume writers cannot make up content or say things that we know are not true.
Some writers may set a limit (for example, three rounds of revisions) on how much information they accept from clients. It is reasonable to expect that your resume will be scrutinized for accuracy in the following areas: contact information, company names, titles, dates of employment, school names, degrees, credentials, and technical skills. Most resumes should not be more than two pages in length, but your experience and achievements will determine whether one or two pages are a better fit. Most resume services will require either a complete or partial payment upfront. Before making a purchase, you should consult with your writer about all aspects of the pricing and payment process. Try to keep your expectations for the writing and revision process as reasonable as possible.
