How to Choose a Quality Resume Writer

There are both good and bad resume writers out there; between the state of the job market and the ease of operating a business online, many people are taking up resume writing as a service that is very much in demand. Before hiring someone to write your resume for you, you need to do your research into the writer’s background. Some things to look at include a website (if they have one), a portfolio, and any credentials or testimonials they have available. Here are some of the things you should do before hiring a resume writer:

1 – Check for Certifications
Make sure that the writer you are interested in hiring has some sort of certification or other credential in the field. Experience is also important, but credentials are easier to verify. You can do so online through the website of the company that issued the certification.

2 – Obtain the Writer’s Full Contact Information
Does the writer have their full contact information on their website? If not, ask them for it and verify it before doing business with them. Do not do business with anyone who will only give you their email address; if something were to go wrong you will need more than just an email address to take action.

3 – Track Down Testimonials
Whether they are testimonials, user reviews, or other user generated content regarding your chosen writer, you want to see positive stories about the experiences other people have had. Ideally you will want to find reviews that speak highly of both the writer’s skills and their customer service!

4 – Read Some of Their Other Work
Does the writer have any work you can review? Things like articles or blog posts about the job search industry would be very helpful to determine if the writer has a good command of the basic skills they will need to write your resume. These types of materials will also tell you how much the writer knows about job hunting and the industry in general.

5 – Get Their Policies First
Before hiring anyone, make sure to get their policies confirmed up front. Things like payment arrangements, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, and any other items you feel are important. These policies should be easily available through the writer’s website.

6 – Make Contact With The Writer
Ideally you want to make contact with the writer you wish to hire long before you hire them. Get to know them a little and get an idea of their fees. Ask any questions you might have and also take this opportunity to communicate what you expect to receive if you hire them. Resume writing is a collaborative exercise, and you will be counting on your resume writer to make things happen. They need to be able to live up to that potential!