Are Resume Writing Services Worth It? 5 Signs You Need a Resume Writer’s Help
Considering investing in a resume-writing service? Here’s what you need to know.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2022; it has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
By: Grace Mitchell | Contributor for Let’s Eat, Grandma
Let’s face it: Writing a resume can be difficult. More than likely, you’ve stumbled upon this blog because you’re struggling to capture your skills and qualifications within that pesky document.
Maybe you recognize how important a resume is to your job search, and you’re seriously contemplating making the leap and reaching out to a resume writing service.
We want to be honest, too, though. As a resume writing service, of course we think we’re worthwhile! But this article will highlight different scenarios where using a resume writing service would benefit you and explore the reasons why our clients have thought their investment in us was worth it.
Reasons to Hire a Resume Writer
Sometimes hiring a professional resume-writing service is the best way to ensure you have a first-class resume. Photo by Berkeley Communications on Unsplash
Here are some reasons you might consider a resume writing service:
1. You haven’t updated your resume in a very long time and don’t know modern practices
Many of our clients haven’t used a resume or even touched one in decades. Unfortunately, resume best practices are continuously changing, and it can be difficult to adapt to new norms if you’re out of practice. If this is the case for you, a resume writer can help you ditch the learning curve and get on your way to job-hunting success.
What’s the difference between an objective statement and a summary of qualifications? How many pages should your resume be? What current resume practices are actually effective, and what’s just a fad? Do you need a cover letter? You can find answers to these questions in our blog or elsewhere online, but if putting research into resume writing doesn’t appeal to you, working with a resume-writing service is a great alternative.
Let’s Eat, Grandma Review: “I hadn’t had to produce a resume or cover letter in almost 20 years and my writer condensed all my experience into a clear, cogent, document. It would have taken me a month and now I feel like I’m a month ahead of schedule.” – Justin L.
2. You’ve always struggled with writing
Business writing is a skill, and it’s okay if you don’t have it! We’ve worked with brilliant sales executives who have closed billion-dollar sales but whose resumes were terrible. A resume writer can work with you to ensure that your writing doesn’t cloud the incredible skills and experience you have to offer!
A great employee is skilled in many areas, and working with a resume writer can help you convey the skills you do have. Resume writers are trained professionals, often with years of resume writing experience, and they want to help you put your best foot forward!
Let’s Eat, Grandma Review: “Writing a resume is a specific skill set – one that I do not have, much like changing my car’s windshield. Could I Google it and get a rough idea of how it’s done, ending up with a subpar result? Of course. But why would I?” – Matthew H.
3. You’re not confident in bragging about yourself
Plenty of people can’t see their own accomplishments. Maybe you struggle with imposter syndrome or you’re starting in a new industry and just aren’t sure how to highlight your transferable skills. Whatever the reason, a resume writer can work with you to showcase your experiences as the marketable assets they are.
Skilled resume writers take the time to get to know their clients and craft a resume that reflects their job skills. All of our resume packages include a 30-minute consultation, so you can be sure we’ll find something to brag about on your behalf!
Let’s Eat, Grandma Review: “I hadn’t looked for a job in the last 10 years so I was a bit lost and overwhelmed. I didn’t know how to organize all my experience and skills in a meaningful document. My resume writer helped me realize all the valuable skills that I acquired in the last 10 years.” – Ana B.
4. You’re too busy to tailor your resume to your industry
If you’re already overworked, hiring a resume-writing service could take a weight off your shoulders. Photo by Robert Bye on Unsplash
Anyone can write a resume, but not everyone can take the time to pore over it to make it competitive.
A great resume doesn’t just state your skills; it clarifies what unique qualities put you ahead of the competition and make you the best fit for the job you’re applying for. Working with a resume writer can take your resume from good to great.
Whether you’re juggling family or personal commitments with your job search, or you’d rather take your time with other stages of the process, a resume writer can put in the work of crafting a quality resume for you so you can honor the other aspects of your life.
Let’s Eat, Grandma Review: “The writing process was a lot more thought-provoking on my part than I imagined and in the end my responses really helped tailor the document to me.”
5. You’re a senior-level professional and can’t fit your resume to 2 pages
It’s absolutely crucial to get your resume as concise as possible. Your resume needs to be easily skimmable, and many of our clients struggle with condensing their careers into the brevity needed for a resume.
Many executives and senior-level professionals struggle to fit all of their accomplishments and years of experience into their resumes. A resume writing service is often worth it in this case because your writer can help you present the best of your career in one concise, cohesive, targeted document.
Let’s Eat, Grandma Review: “I wasn’t sure anyone could pare down my 4 page resume, but my writer made it happen and was able to keep all the important tidbits that gives me a competitive edge.” – Natalie G.
When a resume writing service is not worth it
Not all resume services are created equal–it’s likely that hastily patched-together resume from a resume mill charging $100-$200 won’t be of job-winning quality. Given how important this document is, you want to be sure that you’re investing in a quality resume writing service.
If you’re shopping around for the perfect resume service (and want more of an unbiased opinion), here is a popular list we recommend of some of the best resume writers. We are proud to be consistently recommended on this list on the Balance, and we also give a positive nod to many of the other services who made the list.
We’re not going to tell you not to use our competitors (although of course, we want you to choose our service!). But we do want to help you make an informed decision. Here’s when a resume service won’t be worth it:
1. You’re not prepared to collaborate with your writer, provide the data they need, and listen to their suggestions
A resume-writing service probably isn’t right for you If you’re not interested in collaborating with your writer. Photo by Chase Chappell on Unsplash
Resume writers put in a lot of work to craft a great resume, but they need your input for it to be a great resume for you. You know your career story better than anyone, and supplying all the information the resume writer asks for will ensure the resume they create will accurately share that story.
2. You need career advice more than a resume
Resume writers can help you if you’re at the stage in your job search where you need a resume, but they can’t do the rest of the job search for you. In order to craft a quality resume, a resume writer needs to know what sort of jobs you’re applying to.
Likewise, if you’re already landing interviews but not getting anywhere after that, it may not be worth it to invest in a resume writing service. The resume you’ve written on your own likely has what it takes; it’s more a matter of interview strategy at that point. There are resources for the earlier and later stages of the job search, though – they’re just not within the scope of resume writing! That said, ifyou need career advice and a resume, our Executive Concierge Service might be right up your alley)
3. You don’t have a clear job target or want a “general resume”
There is no such thing as a successful “general resume.” One of the primary purposes of a resume is to demonstrate you have the skills from the job description, so having a job description to refer to is necessary for writing a quality resume.
Even two jobs within the same field may call for different skills, and companies may value some traits more than others. So it’s always crucial to read the job description so you know what you’re applying for (and so your potential company knows you have the specific skills they want in a candidate).
If you have a general idea of the sort of jobs you’re looking for, though, you can use something called the bucket method to craft resumes for the different fields you have in mind. Even so, you still have to tailor your resume to the job description!
4. You expect the resume to do all the work and don’t have a plan for networking and nailing your interview
Having a quality resume will only get you part of the way toward job hunting success. You still need to be willing to put the work in with networking and interviewing. We know these aren’t most people’s favorite part of the job search, but they’re still important. (A resume writing service can help you spruce up your LinkedIn profile to help you make and keep those new contacts though!)
Think you need a resume writer?
So, you’re willing to put the work in but something with the resume-writing process isn’t working for you. Whether it’s because writing isn’t your strength or you can’t figure out how to narrow down your resume, we’re here to help!
Our free resume critique is a great place to start to see how a resume writer could help you better communicate the skills you bring to the job.