How to Find and Select a Professional Resume Writer
Writing a resume can be a daunting task.
The job market is competitive, expectations are different when it comes to skills and qualities, and hiring practices have modernized.
To make matters worse, initial decisions regarding your application may not even be made by a an actual person, with more and more companies using software and AI to automate that task based on keywords. It’s not as simple as just writing your most recent experiences anymore—and it helps to have the assistance of someone well-versed in how it all works.
There are lots of professional resume writers out there to offer a helping hand, and you might consider engaging someone to write your resume for a number of reasons:
Writing isn’t your top skill. While every job involves communication, putting ideas on paper isn’t for everyone. You may need a writer to help articulate things clearly on the page.
You feel lost—and you’re wasting valuable time. The fear of the blank page, not knowing where to start, is a very real problem—but while you’re not taking action, there could be dozens of people applying for your dream role. Conversely, if you’ve simply updated the resume with your latest job every time you’ve been asked to interview, you might now find yourself with a rather bloated document that gives equal room to a junior job you did 10-15 years ago as the one you have now. A professional can help you step back and showcase the skills you need for your next position, not those from the past.
You’re going for a specialist role. At a higher level, or in a specialist field, you need to clearly explain how your career path leads up to the role, your KPIs, and what unique skills you bring.
You want to stand out. In a competitive market, a company might receive hundreds of applications for one role—it’s tiring for any hiring manager. A specialist who understands the process can help with everything from design and keywords, to constructing a compelling career story, ensuring your resume has that something special needed to stand out.
You’re humble. Many of us simply struggle to reel off a page or two of our accomplishments because we’ve been conditioned not to “show off.” An outsider might highlight skills you didn’t even see in yourself.
If you do choose to engage a professional writer, here are a few things to consider before taking the plunge.
Ask for a referral. Find out if those in your network—particularly those who have achieved the kind of role you want—have engaged a professional resume writer and who they worked with. If you can’t find any referrals, reputable reviews might work instead.
Review their background. Find out about their education and qualifications. Don’t just look for a good wordsmith, but someone with experience in recruitment, HR or outplacement.
Ask for samples. Take a look at work they’ve done before and consider if it’s the sort of thing you’d want to send to an employer.
Look for a specialist. Someone with experience in the industry, or functional area, you wish to work in will understand the key skills required far better than a generalist.
Ensure they will work closely with you. If someone wants to write your resume after a half-hour chat or a few emails, that’s a red flag. They should take time to get to know you and your voice, as well as understand your professional goals and experiences.
Understand the process. It’s important to know what you will get for your money. What is the feedback process like? How many edits are included in the price, and how long should it take?
Caveat emptor—or, buyer beware. You get what you pay for, so the cheapest option will mean the least time spent, but equally don’t be taken in by premium pricing unless you know what you’re getting for it.
Have you ever engaged with a professional resume writer? If you had a good experience, why not link to their services in the comments below.