How to Use Professional Resume Writing Services

Updated June 18, 20221.5k

Resume writing services can be an alluring way to get a beautiful resume. Are they really helpful for your job search, and should you consider using them?

Resume Writing Services

When you think about resume writing, you may think about writing a resume for your own job search using your personal talents. However, this term can also refer to a professional resume writer who writes resumes for people who aren’t confident in their ability to use their resume to get their dream job. If you’re looking to get a top resume and you need to include your years of experience and your top skills, then a certified professional resume writer may be an option. Here are a few things to think if you’re considering getting a professional resume written by an expert.

What Are Resume Writing Services?

With resume writing services, you provide a company with your skill set, your certifications, and your work history, and a resume expert goes through the resume writing process for you. In some cases you may need to write your own resume first draft before the expert gives your resume a makeover. Some resume writing services also offer some kinds of guarantees or special services to make the purchase more attractive. For example, they may excel in making your resume pass through applicant tracking systems, or they may have a 60-day interview guarantee to guarantee that you’ll at least get an interview through your resume.

Is a Professional Resume Writing Service the Right Option for You?

There’s nothing wrong with using a resume writing service. Career experts can provide you with a quality resume that you can include on a job application to put your best foot forward. These services have spent years perfecting their ability to help job seekers, and if you need a new resume, this can seem very appealing.

However, it’s also important to remember that most people can get job interviews on their own, as long as they’re aware of the right tips to optimize their resumes. Not everyone can be a top resume writer, but it’s possible to write the best resume for you, highlighting the right work history and experience, without professional services.

That being said, here are a few situations where getting a resume writer may actually help you more than just writing your resume on your own:

You’re writing an extremely high-level resume, like an executive resume, rather than an entry-level one.
You’re writing a resume for a very niche job, like a federal resume or a resume for a military-based job.
You need the help of a career coach who can help you achieve specific career goals.
You’re willing to pay to get a resume review with edits and career advice.
You’ve been job searching for months and haven’t gotten any results.

Although it’s definitely possible to write your own resume, sometimes it’s just not the best option. If any of these things are true for you, then a resume writing or cover letter writing service might be a great option.

Other Resume Writing Options

Of course, it’s possible to catch the eye of a hiring manager and land a new job without using one of these writing services – thousands of people do it every day.

By far, your best option is to use a resume builder or cover letter builder. The ResumeNerd resume and cover letter builders include a variety of resume templates and even resume examples that can help you build a beautiful-looking resume or cover letter and align more effectively with the standards in your industry. This makes it more likely that recruiters will give your job application another look.

You can also learn more about the resume writing process with the ResumeNerd blog. The more you know, the better your resume will be, and that means doing some general research.

FAQ: Resume Writing Services

How do I choose the best professional resume writing service?

If you do think that it’s best to use a professional resume writing service, then you need to choose the right provider. Look at the questionnaire they provide; this can help you make sure they’ll have the right amount of information to write your resume. It’s also a good idea to check out the different resume packages they provide. Do they offer the same thing to everyone, or are there upgrades? What do the upgrades offer? Do they have any guarantees or other help if your resume doesn’t help you find a job? Additionally, you can find many reviews online from people comparing different services to find the best option.

What should I ask a resume writing service to vet them thoroughly?

When you’re going through the vetting process with a resume writing service, here are a few questions that you’ll want to ask to get the right option:

How do you make sure these resumes will be compatible with an applicant tracking system?
What happens if I need my resume rewritten?
Do you provide resume review services?
Are there any HR professionals working on your team?
What format will you provide the finished resume in?

These questions can all help you find the right resume writing service for your needs.

How expensive are resume writing services?

The cost of a resume writing service can vary dramatically depending on the resume you need to be written and the services you end up getting. You should assume that you’ll spend at least $100 on a great resume if you want someone else to write it, but costs can go far above $1,000 for a high-quality resume with lots of revision options and extra add-ons.

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About The Author

Cindi Cervone Carlson

Cindi Cervone Carlson is a Senior Vice President for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Cindi is responsible for developing, delivering, and implementing a dynamic, world-class organization dedicated to delivering outplacement consulting, training, support, and executive coaching. Cindi started her career at Challenger as a client who had lost her job. Over the past nine years, she has risen from an entry-level, part-time professional to Senior Vice President.