Are you looking to hire a professional resume writer?  With 100s of options to choose, it’s important to know how to pick the best writer for you.

There are 7 simple steps to choose a professional resume writer. We recommend you follow these steps in this exact order to find the best fit for you.

1. Choose a resume writing service not a resume builder.

Many people don’t fully understand the difference between a resume writing service and a resume builder. Resume writing services use professional resume writers (real humans) to craft your new resume. Resume builders simply provide resume formats and software for you to write the resume yourself.

With a resume builder you will get none of the expertise that resume writers can bring you and you will be fully dependent on your own ability to write the resume.

2. Compare costs and consider your budget.

Before you take a deep dive into reviewing individual resume writers, it’s important to consider your budget. How much are you willing to spend on a resume? Are you flexible or do you have a set dollar amount to spend?

Resume services can range in cost from $100 to $1,000+. By figuring out the least and most you are willing to pay, this can save you a lot of time when choosing a resume writer. Check out this guide on how much a resume should cost.

3. Read reviews from verified customers.

Once you’ve established your budget and found a couple of resume writers in your price range, it’s time to check out their reviews. This is by far the most important part in the process. You can learn a lot about a company by the reviews they have received and their responses to those reviews.

• If all you see is bad reviews, it’s probably not a good fit.
• If all you see is good reviews, it’s clear that company cares about their clients.
• If you can’t find any reviews, you can pretty much assume the worst. Look for a company with 10+ reviews and at least a 4.5/5-star rating.

4. Look for samples on their website.

Resume samples provide great perspective when choosing a resume writer. The last thing you want is to pay for a resume and then hate how it looks. By reviewing samples before, your expectations can be aligned with the company so there are no surprises.

Every company should have resume samples featured on their website. If they don’t, there is probably a reason they don’t want you to see them. Reach out personally and ask if the company will send you a sample. If not, run away and find someone else to work with.

5. Schedule a free consultation with your resume writer.

Scheduling a call with the company of interest can give you a good idea of their level of customer service. Are they too busy to speak with you before signing up?

If so, that’s a big red flag.

Speaking with your personal resume writer is nice, but it should not be a requirement. Instead, simply call the company and talk to someone. If you talk to a customer service agent that is perfectly fine as well. Take time to ask them questions about the process, turnaround times, costs, and ask if they have any sort of “guarantees”.

6. Ask if they have specific experience in your line of work.

It’s important that the resume writer you choose has experience in your line of work. Does their website talk about working with professionals such as yourself?

If not, give them a call and ask if they have ever worked with a “nurse” “sales director”, etc. Without prior experience it will be difficult for your writer to understand your industry’s terminology. This could lead to a resume that is not focused, lacks keywords, and will not resonate with the hiring manager.

7. Look for certifications or other credentials.

Certifications and writer credentials are an important factor when choosing a writer.

• How long has your writer been writing resumes? Are they certified?
• Do they write resumes part-time or is this a full-time career?

Don’t get too caught up on certifications though. Many resume certifications are handed out without much effort and can provide a false sense of security

if you are only hiring based on certifications. Check out these top-rated certified resume writers to get an idea of what you should look for.

Wrapping Up

To sum it up, make sure to conduct proper research before giving your hard-earned money to a resume writer. There are some amazing resume writing services out there, but it doesn’t mean they will be right for you.

Try to find a company that understands your career and can speak your language. You should feel confident in whatever company you pick. Best of luck!