7 Tips for Choosing a Professional Resume Writing Service

Creating a resume can be a daunting task. If you find yourself stuck, or even frustrated, you’re not alone. In the middle of a job search, especially one that might not be getting as many bites as you would like, it’s not uncommon to ask yourself “Should I hire a professional resume writing service to help me?” If you decide to use a professional resume service, you need to do research before deciding which one to go with. It’s important that you find a resume writing service that will meet your needs, whatever they may be. After all, when you are entrusting your resume and cover letter—and perhaps even other career documents—to someone, you are entrusting your career goals to them as well. Writing a resume that gets the attention of prospective employers and executive recruiters is about more than strong writing skills—it’s about knowing the human resources world, knowing the industry, and understanding what makes an effective modern resume with strong personal branding for you, the applicant.

It’s easy to search for professional resume writers on the internet and get dozens of results returned for an online resume service that look promising. But how do you evaluate which one is the best resume writing service for you? Or how do you determine which resume writing services are even legitimate and able to provide what they are promising? Finding someone to write your resume online might seem like the easy solution, but you need to do your due diligence before sending off money. There are many solid resume writing services out there with the proper experience, qualifications, and track records of success, but you need to do a bit of detective work to find them.

Here are seven key points to evaluate when considering which service will best meet your job search needs and help you get the attention of a potential employer:

1. Credentials:

Does the company employ certified professional resume writers? Does the company have a membership with at least one major professional association? Certified resume writers have to pass exams and show extensive knowledge and expertise in resume writing to become a certified resume writer. Going through the process of becoming certified also shows a dedication to their profession and their clients.

2. Accreditation:

Is the online service you’re considering an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau? I hate to say this, but there are scams out there—and you want to perform your due diligence in order to ensure that you’re working with a reputable firm. By checking out professional resume services on the BBB.org website, you can read about any complaints and see a company’s rating and their accreditation information. Consider this an insurance policy when conducting business online.

3. Awards:

Has the resume service you’re considering won any industry awards? Only the best writers in the industry are nominated and given TORI (Toast of the Resume Industry) Awards. If a service you’re considering working with has been nominated for—or won—any TORI awards, then you can be very confident that you’re working with the best of the best. Only a top resume writing service will be nominated for a TORI award.

4. Process:

Is the company’s resume writing process a good match for your needs? An effective resume for you and your career goals may be different than for someone else who may only need tweaks to their current resume. Some services only work with clients via email and worksheets—and never speak directly with the client before producing a written resume. Other services complete a phone consultation with clients to mine out important information and details that may not come across well in worksheets and questionnaires. Also consider how much time you have to invest in the project; if you’re on a tight schedule, spending hours completing lengthy worksheets and questionnaires may not be in your best interest.

5. Time:

Every professional resume writing service has a different turnaround time for their documents. You’ll find everything from 24-hour turnaround to a waiting list of a month, or even longer. How much time do you have to spare? If you’re passively looking, employed, and you aren’t in need of a resume yesterday, then you may be able to wait 30 days for your documents. However, if you’re actively searching and need a job now, then going with a service that provides an average turnaround time of a couple days to a week to get your professionally written resume may be your best option.

6. Sample Resumes Review:

Almost all online resume services provide samples on their websites of the work they’ve created for previous clients. Some companies have a few samples; some provide hundreds. Peruse the resume samples to see if there’s something you like. Take a look at the resume layout, the word choice, and how personalized the resume seems to be. Also try to assess if the formats seem like a modern resume or a traditional resume. Chances are, if you don’t like any of the samples on the site, then you’re not going to like the style of resume they end up writing for you. Just because someone is a certified professional doesn’t mean their approach is always going to work to make you stand out as an applicant in your industry or position.

7. Reviews:

Do your research and read online reviews from other clients. You would be surprised at what you can find by simply entering a company name along with the keywords: reviews, complaints, or testimonials. You’ll be able to find a wealth of information regarding previous client experiences that will help guide you to the right organization. Doing a simple search like this will help you separate a top resume writing service from a document factory that doesn’t employ a single certified professional resume writer.

Another factor you may want to consider during your search for the best resume writing service is reaching out to the organization to request a free resume critique or resume review for your current resume. Doing so will also give you an idea of what that company sees as the major areas of weakness on your resume. While most services won’t perform a complete review of the entire resume, they will likely provide you with comments about one or two areas they see that need the most improvements. Then, you can assess if their process is likely to result in a new resume that can help you land an interview and a new job.

I will also offer this word of advice—don’t just search for resume templates and then fill in your information. Potential employers and HR professionals will easily be able to spot that you’ve done this. Even if they don’t, it will result in you having a resume that is boring and does not help you stand out as an applicant. Effective resumes are tailored to the company, the position, and to the individual experiences and achievements of the applicant.

Writing a resume is tough even for the strongest writers. No one has an easy time writing about themselves, and an effective resume may vary from industry to industry and from entry-level to executive-level positions. A resume that is professionally written by a top resume writing service can help you overcome these obstacles while effectively showcasing your work experience, accomplishments, skills, and professional brand to the HR professionals, recruiters, and hiring managers who will be reading your resume.

At Great Resumes Fast, we’re proud to have a team of certified professional resume writers and to be a top-rated resume writing service. Contact us today to get started working with one of our professional writers to create a new resume that can help you achieve your career goals.