Because we guarantee results! Why? It’s simple: We know our resumes work. If you are not called for an interview after proactively marketing yourself for 30 days, we’ll rewrite the resume at no charge.

Are there any conditions to the guarantee?

What if I don't want to begin my job search right away?

Q: Who will be writing my resume?

A: Your resume will be written by our Certified Professional Resume Writer, Deborah Schuster. To ensure quality, we do not use subcontractors. You will work directly with Deborah throughout the entire resume development process...from consultation to final composition.

Read more about What to Look For in a Resume Writer.

Q: What are your qualifications?

A: Our Certified Professional Resume Writer is among the most qualified in North America. She is a nationally certified and nationally published expert in resume writing and career marketing, and has over 15 years of experience. She has extensive industry expertise, and knowledge of the hiring community.

For more information, see the Bio for Deborah L. Schuster.

Q: What is a CPRW?

A: CPRW's -- or Certified Professional Resume Writers -- are the career industry's leading experts in the development of strategic resumes. Certification is earned by passing a rigorous exam administered by the Professional Association of Resume Writers. CPRW's must meet the highest standards of the resume industry. As many as 50% of resume writers fail this exam on their first attempt. Deborah has been certified since 1994 (she passed on the first attempt) and was one of the first CPRW's in her area. CPRW's are considered the best of the best in resume writing.

For more information, see the Bio for Deborah L. Schuster.

Q: What will my résumé cost?

A: We’re not the cheapest service you will find – but we are one of the best. Most resume writers base their fees on their level of expertise, and we are no exception.

Click here for average fees

We will give you a firm, written quote before beginning your project. Your fee will depend on your background, career level, years of experience, and the complexity of your resume. For example, a resume for an executive with over 20 years of experience takes longer to prepare than a resume for a new graduate. You will always know EXACTLY what your resume will cost – up front!

Click here to get a quote.

Q: Do you do resumes for all fields and professions?

A: Yes! We have experience with candidates from virtually all fields and at all levels. See a list of our Extensive Industry Expertise. We know what employers are looking for in all of these fields. Deborah has developed customized Skills Profile Forms for over 120 industries and professions, to help identify the skills, accomplishments, and keywords crucial to YOUR resume.

No matter what your level – if you consider yourself a professional, or if you simply want your resume prepared by “the best” – we welcome your business!

Q: How does the process work?

A: Our goal is to make the process as painless as possible for you. Our CPRW will work with you by phone, fax, and email -- no personal visit is required. You'll work with Deborah throughout the entire process. Unlike the large resume mills, we don't use novice subcontractors to write our resumes!

Contact us for a free evaluation and price quote: We’ll contact you with a free critique of your existing resume (if any), and a price quote for rewriting. We'll send you a written quote and agreement to complete and sign.
Once we receive your signed agreement, we’ll send you a Skills Inventory Profile form that was developed especially for your field (see next question). Then we'll schedule your phone consultation with Deborah. She will review your skills assessment form and any other materials (old resumes, etc.) prior to the consultation.
During the phone consultation, she will ask questions about your background, with particular emphasis on your skills and accomplishments.
When your draft resume is complete, we will send it to you (via fax or email) for your review and approval, and ask you to fax back any changes.
Once we have received your authorization to finalize, we will make the revisions. You will receive all of your final documents via email in Microsoft Word format. How long does the process take?

Q: Do you use forms, or will I get to talk with you personally?

A: Both. We use a proprietary Skills Inventory Profile and an in-depth telephone consultation to gather information about your background. Many resume services will create your resume from forms alone. Not us! We believe that the consultation is an essential part of the resume development process. There is simply no replacement for a personal conversation with the resume writer.

The skills assessment is also an essential part of the process. Deborah has developed hundreds of customized Skills Inventory Profile forms for various fields. These assessment tools are so effective – we hold a copyright on them. They contain the important keywords and buzzwords for YOUR industry, plus checklists that help you identify relevant skills and accomplishments.

Many clients find the process to be an excellent exercise in self-discovery that increases their job search confidence – and results in a better resume!

Q: Will I get a chance to see the resume before it is finalized?

A: Absolutely. We’ll fax or email a draft for your review and approval prior to finalizing your resume. If you have any changes, simply mark them on the draft and fax back to us.

Q: How long will it take to receive a completed resume?

A: Normal turnaround time is 7-14 days from your telephone consultation. Need faster service? If our schedule permits, we may be able to provide Rush Service for an additional fee. We'll let you know up front if we think we can meet your deadline. Due to quality concerns, we are unable to turn around resumes in less than 3 days.

Superior resumes take time. If you are looking for a cookie-cutter approach and a resume mill that provides same day service, we are not for you. But if you want an outstanding resume, an in-depth approach – and guaranteed interviews – you are in the right place!

Q: What will my resume look like?

A: It depends on your background, level, field, and industry. Each and every resume we produce is unique. Deborah is an expert in high-end resume designs, and she will select the most effective format and design for you. Most of our resumes have an upscale, distinctive presentation that conveys the message that you are more qualified than the other candidates. We do not use a boilerplate approach. We develop a resume strategy to meet your goals, and customize the format for YOU.

Q: Can I see examples of your work?

Yes. Just click here for resume samples.

You can also find examples of our work at most libraries or bookstores. Deborah’s resumes have been published in numerous resume books, like 101 Best Resumes. Click here for a complete list of books that have published her resumes.

When reviewing samples, keep in mind that the resumes were developed for a particular client’s needs, and that the format, design, and strategy may not be the most effective for you.

Q: What if I need an update in the future?

A: We'll keep your resume on file, so updates are easy. We'll also send you your own electronic file (MS-Word), which will be yours to do with as you wish. But please be aware that altering the resume content does void our guarantee. We recommend that you use the Word document for printing and emailing only, and call on us for expert help with your next update!

Q: Do you do cover letters?

A: Absolutely! Deborah Schuster is also an expert in Cover Letter writing. In addition to numerous resume books, her work has been featured in 101 Best Cover Letters (McGraw Hill).

Q: Do I REALLY need a cover letter?

A: The answer is a resounding YES! Studies have shown that 80% of companies prefer resumes with cover letters. And about 30% will actually toss resumes that do not include them. A cover letter is not just "wrapping" for your resume. It is a marketing document that is as important as your resume in selling your credentials to the employer. It is a more personal document than a resume -- introducing you to the reader, establishing rapport, and providing an important link between your background and the requirements of the position.

Q: Why does your guarantee require that I send my resume with a cover letter or have you approve my existing cover letter?

A: Studies show that 2/3 of companies consider a cover letter essential (see above question) and many say they will toss resumes that are sent without cover letters. A poorly-written cover letter can sabotage even the best resume. For example, if a cover letter had a typo, or poor grammar or spelling, your perfect resume would mostly likely be tossed. So in order to honor our guarantee, we do require that you send a cover letter with your resume that is either written by or approved by The Lettersmith.

While we do offer Cover Letter Writing services, we do not require that you hire us to write the letter. If you do chose to write your own letter, we only require that we look it over to ensure that there are no major problems with it.

Our approval means that the letter you write is acceptable, that we do not see any glaring errors in it, and that we will honor the guarantee. It does not mean the letter is the strongest possible letter for you. Most likely, we could improve on the wording or content it if you hired us to rewrite it for you. We have not seen very many cover letters or resumes that we could not improve upon!

Q: Can you help me with other aspects of my job search?

A: Yes! In addition to resumes and cover letters, we are a full service career marketing firm. See our Services page for a complete list.

Q: Where are you located?

We are based in Troy, Michigan in Oakland County, northeast of Detroit. But as a national service, we serve clients all over the United States and Canada. We work with ALL of our clients by phone, fax and email. No personal visit is required. We're sorry, but we do not offer in-office consultations at this time.

Contact Us

The Lettersmith Career Marketing
Deborah L. Schuster, CPRW

Phone Toll Free: 1-800-586-3335

Phone (in Southeast Michigan): 248-828-1699

Fax: 810-592-8431

Snail Mail:

55 E. Long Lake Rd., # 484, Troy, MI 48085

Located in the Detroit area of Southeast Michigan.

Serving Clients Nationwide in the U.S. and Canada.

We accept all major credit cards:

Code of Ethics:

The Lettersmith is a member in good standing of the Professional Association of Resume Writers, and we serve our clients according to the PARW Code of Business Ethics. We continually strive to provide the highest level of customer service, and we promise to protect your confidentiality and the privacy of your personal information.