How to Choose a Professional Resume Service

You need to be very careful when choosing a resume writing service because with no governing body, anyone can say they write resumes, but may not have any experience or training.

Avoid the scams. If it sounds too good to be true – it probably is.

Make sure you know exactly what you are buying – is it a writing service or a job placement service? If they are guaranteeing a job or a 100% refund, read the fine print. Typically, it is impossible to comply with the terms, which means you would not be eligible for a refund.

Avoid the resume mills that crank out generic template resumes.

If a company promises to write a professional resume for less than $250 with a 24-hour turnaround time, it is probably a resume mill. No one in this industry can make a living in this business charging less than $250 unless they use generic templates to produce a high volume of resumes.

To get a job today, you must stand out from the competition by highlighting your unique set of qualifications. How can you do that with a resume that looks like all the others in the pile?

Check out their resume writing process and make sure you get to speak to the person who will be representing your professional expertise on paper. They will need to get to know you before they can accurately describe your unique value.  A good resume service will collaborate with you to design a resume and cover letter that are reflective of your individuality.

Evaluate their services before you buy with a free resume critique.
Be sure their comments are unique to your resume.

Review client testimonials. Do they include client testimonials on their website, LinkedIn or another social network? See what others are saying about their experience with the company. Check to see if there are any complaints lodged against the company or a negative BBB rating.

Get the facts before you sign. Be sure you get a set price or binding price range if you are quoted an hourly rate. The difference between a mediocre resume and a great one can be as little as $100, yet the benefits of a strong resume can be a $10K - $50K increase in salary, depending on your position.

This is one of the most important documents in your career, so it makes sense to spend what it takes to get a resume that will actually result in job interviews. You really do get what you pay for.

I hope these tips help you to choose the right resume writing service for your individual needs.  Best of luck in your job search!

For more information, visit our blog for weekly job search tips and career advice. www.the-resume-resource.com.