How to Find Resume Writing Help

Finding resume writing help is an easy task with thousands of so-called ‘experts’ offering their services. Finding a high quality writer on the other hand is a task that takes more patience and cash. It is not uncommon for a professional jobseeker to hire a resume writing service for up to $500 only to find that they are left waiting months for the final result. In many cases, the resume is not up to scratch because the writer failed to interview the jobseeker and as a result, was not able to accurately describe the individual’s accomplishments.

An Increasing Trend
During the recession which many suggest we are still in the midst of, resume writing services were preparing tens of thousands of resumes each year with those looking for executive jobs willing to pay over $2,000. This may seem like an exorbitant cost but if the resume helps you land a job worth $100,000 a year, it is certainly worth it. For example, members of the financial service industry have been laid off en-masse and as a consequence, each financial job that comes available is contested by hundreds of highly qualified professionals.

Making the Right Choice
Choose the wrong resume writing service and you lose money and time, neither of which is acceptable in the existing job market. You need to carefully review the work of each resume writer you come across but the gap in quality on the market is profound. The samples you see should look customized and not the cookie-cutter garbage you often find online. It is also necessary to contact previous customers and find out more about the service they received and whether they were happy with the results. As most resume writing services ask for money up-front, this level of investigation is crucial.

It is also important to note that while several American associations certify resume writers, some bodies have more rigorous standards than others. Career Management Alliance are deemed to be one of the more reputable associations as they only confer the title ‘master resume writer’ on those who can prove they have a minimum of five year’s paid resume writing experience. This includes showing a wide range of completed works in a portfolio and successfully passing an exam. Re-certification takes place on a bi-annual basis and the writer needs to submit five resumes from clients in the previous two years as well as writing a two-page essay.

Below, we have six quick tips to help you find a professional resume writing service:
1.    Look for names of local certified writers from the websites of trade associations.
2.    Search for additional recommendations from colleagues/recruiters.
3.    Contact previous customers.
4.    Review all sample work with a fine-tooth comb.
5.    Find out the interview success rate of previous clients.
6.    Discover if the fee includes a guarantee of multiple revisions, phone consultations and safe storage of the document.

Bear in mind that some resume writing services will not be able to produce a writer that has enough of a grasp of your industry to create an attention-seeking resume. Nonetheless, if you find a high quality service, it will be worth every cent because a resume represents who you are to hiring companies and will ultimately be the difference between employment and the welfare line.