Should You Use a Resume Writing Service?

Recent job reports show it’s still a job seekers market. That being said, employers are still holding out for the right candidates to fill open roles. This means as a job seeker you need to present yourself in the best possible light from the moment you submit your resume. 

With technology becoming a major factor in the hiring process, having a resume written and optimized for both AI and human review will give you a leg up. But should you pay someone to write it for you? 

Here are a few key factors to keep in mind.

Do you need it done right or right now?

Your resume is the Story of You and to write a compelling story takes time and thought. Any reputable resume writing service will work in collaboration to get to know you and understand your work experience. This will require a lot of back and forth, meaning it could take a few weeks to get a final draft you are happy with. 

Be leary of services offering a 24-hour turnaround as they can give little attention to detail and will often take a “one size fits all” approach when putting your resume together. While they may include the “buzzwords” needed to make it past an AI review, once it comes to human review, you don’t want to appear generic. 

If you need one in a very short time span, you’ll be better off researching resume best practices and current trends and doing it yourself.

Weighing the costs

The old adage “you get what you pay for” certainly applies to resume writing service providers. 

One leading expert in the resume writing and recruiting industry suggests that a professionally written resume should cost in the $100-400 range depending on work experience and the types of jobs being applied for. 

They also warn against falling for “$25 in 24 Hours” pitches. Anyone offering resumes that cheap that fast, more often than not, is interested in churning out as many resumes as possible to maximize their profits. It’s likely that those working in this kind of resume mill have little experience in writing resumes or understanding the subtleties of catering to different industries. 

Ultimately, you are paying for someone’s time and expertise. How much of either can you expect from someone who’s only asking you for $25? More than likely, you can do just as well, if not better, by researching resume writing tips and creating your own at no cost.

Do your research

Should you decide to go with a resume writing service, how do you even go about finding a reputable one? How do you ensure you are getting the most bang for your buck?

Recruiters

If you are working with an external recruiter, ask them for recommendations. Yes, it’s possible they may get a kickback for sending business the service’s way. That being said, it’s in the recruiter’s best interest to help you be presented in the best light. After all, their income is directly influenced by finding you a job at the best possible wage. A good resume will help them start the conversation on the right foot. 

Word of Mouth

Don’t be afraid to reach out to your network for recommendations. LinkedIn, Facebook job groups, and even industry Happy Hours can be great resources for gathering names of people and resume writing services that have created job-winning resumes.

Internet Research

Whether Google, DuckDuckGo, Bing, or any other platform, you can find plenty of resume writing services by simply searching the internet (resume writing, professional resumes, resume services, etc.). You are bound to be overwhelmed by choices, so here are a few ways to narrow things down:

• Specify the industry you are in or are trying to get into. This should help highlight companies that have resume writers in your chosen field.
• Look for listicles, you know those “Top Ten…”, “Best of…” articles websites and thought leaders create. These can give you several choices with pros and cons in one location. Make sure to look for disclaimers stating whether or not companies paid to be on the list. This doesn’t mean they aren’t to be trusted, but you should look at paid lists more like advertisements.
• Look for online reviews from third-party review sites. Google reviews, Yelp, and others can provide a bit more objectivity than testimonials on a company website (they won’t share the bad reviews). It can be a sad reality that people spread bad news faster than good, but you can always glean information from any review left.
  
  If they weren’t satisfied, why? Are they upset that they still haven’t landed a job? That may come down to factors outside of the resume. Did they not care about how long the process took, communication, or did they find errors on the “final” draft? This definitely could speak to the quality of what the company produces.
  
  It also helps to sort the reviews by “Most Recent.” This way you can see if a resume writing service’s quality is trending up or down.

Your resume is the very first impression you will make on a company. How you present yourself, your skills, and what you can offer a future employer matters immensely. Whether you decide to invest in a resume writing service or create your own, it’s important to invest the time to do it right.

You are worth it.