The Lettersmith Career Marketing

What to Look For in a Resume Writer

-- And What to Avoid

 by Deborah L. Schuster, CPRW

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably already considered hiring a professional resume writer. Perhaps you’ve created your own resume, and it’s just not getting results. Or perhaps you’ve become daunted by the prospect of writing it on your own. 

A good resume professional can help. They will know the best format, design, and wording for your resume. They are familiar with the latest buzzwords and keywords that will get your resume selected in database of thousands. They can play up your strengths and play down your weaknesses. 

A standout resume can shorten your job search by months, and even add thousands to your salary offers. But choosing a service is not so easy. How do you know you’ve got the right person to write your resume? These tips will help.

What to Look For in a Resume Writer:

1. Certification. Look for the designation “Certified Professional Resume Writer” or the initials “CPRW” after the writer’s name. This means the writer has passed a very comprehensive and rigorous exam that covers all aspects of resume development and career marketing.

2. Membership in the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC). This is a good sign that the writer is serious about perfecting her craft, keeps up with the latest developments in job search and resume strategies, is dedicated to quality service, and is committed to upholding the PARW Code of Ethics. Credentials can be checked at www.parw.com.

3. In-Depth Consultation Process. Resumes should be developed through a telephone consultation or interview process. You will probably need to fill out some forms, but they should be an addition to – not a replacement for – a consultation with the resume writer. During the consultation, the resume consultant will draw out your marketable skills, abilities, and accomplishments.

4. Experience: Find out how long they have been in business, and look for a writer with a minimum of five years of experience.

Other Plus’s:

These are optional, but they are reassuring qualifications in a resume writer:

1. Published resumes and/or job search articles. Many of the nation’s top resume writers have been published. The writer who has been published in a resume book has demonstrated that he is a recognized expert in his/her field.

2. An Interview Guarantee. Although rare, a small handful of resume services, including my firm, will guarantee interviews within a certain amount of time – typically 30 or 60 days. This is one time when the shorter the guarantee – the better. While no resume can guarantee you a job, an interview guarantee can cut your job search by many months, saving you tens of thousands of dollars in lost wages. 
   
   Be aware that “guaranteed satisfaction” is NOT the same as “guaranteed interviews.” Any reputable resume writer will let you review a first draft and make revisions to ensure your satisfaction. But isn’t it much more important to guarantee interviews than to guarantee satisfaction? How does a client know he is satisfied until he test-markets the resume?

3. Knowledge of job search techniques. A qualified resume consultant should be able to give you advice about your job search. He should be able to answer questions about interviewing and self-marketing strategies. Note: Most resume writers will be happy to answer a few of your job search questions during the resume consultation process, but if you have a lot of questions, you should hire them for an in-depth job search coaching session, where there will be sufficient time to develop a personal marketing plan.

What to Avoid: 

Now you know what to look for. But what to avoid?  Read on…

1. Services with no information about the writer on their web site:  Who the heck runs the company? Who will be writing my resume? If there is no information on the web site about the credentials of the resume writer, watch out! Look for a “Qualifications” or “About Us” page. On this page, you should be able to find writer’s name and credentials, not just general information. Is he or she certified? Are they a member of a resume writer’s association? Have they been published? How long have they been in business?
    

2. But wait! Will you be working directly with the writer profiled? Will a CPRW be writing your resume, or will you be assigned to an employee or subcontractor? If a subcontractor, what are his/her qualifications? Many fine resume services do use subcontractors. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as the client knows this in advance. (I personally do not use subcontractors or employees, because I want to ensure the quality of my work.) Be sure to find out the qualifications of the person who will be writing your resume…not just the qualifications of the owner of the company.
    

3. Very Low Prices or Fast Service:  Resume writers base their fees on their expertise and on how long they believe your project will take. So…

Lower prices = Lower qualifications, or

 

Lower prices = Less time will be put into your resume, or

 

Lower prices = Your resume may be assigned to a subcontractor or novice resume writer.

 

In other words, you get what you pay for.

 

Truly outstanding resumes take time and require an investment on your part. You need a writer who will develop a custom format for YOU, who will draw out your strengths and accomplishments, and who will take the time to create a unique marketing document that will give you an advantage over the competition.

I hope this information is helpful in choosing a resume writer. Whether you decide to invest your own time or your money into your resume, remember that it is just that - an investment into your future.

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