Maybe you never thought you would need to hire the services of professional resume writers online. That is, until you get laid off and realize you haven’t taken a lot at your resume in nearly 5 years. Or you realize you don’t even have a resume at all. So now what? This is when hiring a pro resume writer is an amazing idea.
If you’re in the market for one, you’ll quickly realize that there are soooo many to choose from. Some professional resume writing companies and individuals offer basic services, while others provide everything from interview coaching to LinkedIn profile updating. Deciding on the right one can be more difficult than actually landing your next job!
Here are a few things you should consider to help you decide on the right one for you and your career-enhancing needs.
Request a free consultation
This is something that only the top professional resume writing services will agree to. In our opinion, all of them should offer a free consultation, even just a brief one that lasts 10 minutes or so. This will not only give you a chance to get acquainted to the professional, but also vice versa. He or she can get an idea of what you are all about and learn about your basic career goals.
Some companies will have you speak directly to the person in charge, which at the time seems very official and professional. But you should actually be consulting with the individual who will be writing your resume. This will give you a better idea of the writer’s capabilities and experience.
Set your budget early on
Depending on the service you choose, you could be paying anywhere from $150 to $1000. Executive resume writers are even more, costing as much as $2500. Hiring one that charges more will be well worth the investment since you won’t just have access to a resume writer. You’ll also be provided services like interview coaching, cover letter writing, and professional profile updates.
That being said, not everyone can afford to spend thousands on a professional resume writer, especially if they have recently been laid off. You need to decide on your budget early on, before you even start contacting resume writers. After you’ve established your budget, only contact writers who fall within that budget.
Always ask for samples
Many professional companies will provide samples on their website, but some won’t make it that easy on you. During your initial consultation, see if you can get some samples – these don’t have to be related to your personal career, but it will give you an idea of the outline and design features that your resume will follow. Ask for a sample from the specific person that will be helping with your case since each writer has different qualifications and skills.
Read testimonials and reviews
Just as you would do before purchasing any product or hiring any service, read reviews from past customers and clients. This will give you an idea of the overall service, as well as the success rate in actually landing people jobs.