Are Resume Services Worth it? Find Out Now!
10 min read
Would you consider a resume writer as an investment in your career?
As most job seekers understand all too well, the resume creation process is anything but simple. Many people spend days or weeks trying to perfect their resumes. And don’t fool yourself: that quest for perfection is key since your resume is the single most important tool in your job search arsenal.
But are resume services worth it?
If you’ve been considering working with a resume writing service, this article is for you!
What is a resume writer?
Many people are surprised to find that they can hire someone to write their resume for them. After all, a resume is a pretty personal document! But in an increasingly competitive job market, job seekers are turning to the experts to help them achieve faster results from their job search.
Resume writers are professionals who work with you to create a bespoke job search document that aligns your skills, experience, and qualifications with your career objectives and the specific requirements of the industry and roles you’re targeting. Resume writers have read hundreds if not thousands of resumes and know what is boring, tired, unimpressive, or otherwise undesirable in a resume. They also know what grabs attention and what employers are looking for.
Of course, there’s a cost involved. So, are resume services worth it? There’s a lot to consider and that’s what we’re delving into in this article. We’ll look at why you may want to take this step and the different types of service out there, so that you can make an informed decision.
Why hire a resume-writing service?
The first question you need to ask yourself is why you might want to hire a professional resume-writing service. Did you know that hiring managers have become adept at filtering out bad resumes, and, on average, they only spend a few seconds on the initial scan of each document? A professional resume writing service is there to ensure that your valuable skills and experiences are properly conveyed to recruiters and your prospective employer.
Top reasons for working with a resume-writing service
Job seekers turn to resume writers for a variety of reasons, but they all come down to one thing: wanting to present the very best version of themselves to prospective employers. We’ve gathered some of the top reasons people give when they’re weighing up the answer to, “Are resume services worth it?”
They haven’t written a resume for years
Often, job seekers have been headhunted into roles based on recommendations from former colleagues, or they’ve been with the same employer for many years. Unfortunately, the job market is ever-changing – and so are resume best practices! What worked 20 years ago is unlikely to make the cut today – and that’s where professional resume writers can fill the gap.
They have too much information to fit into a concise document
Once you’re settled into your career, the experience starts to stack up. You gain more skills, you attend courses, and you move into new roles… you’ve got an awful lot to fit onto the standard two pages!
Professional resume writers are a lifeline in this situation. They know what to include, what to ditch, and what to rephrase more concisely so that you’re presenting your sales brochure rather than your life story.
They’re overwhelmed with online advice
Are resume services worth it when there’s so much information and so many resources available online? Interestingly, that’s one of the main reasons that people DO hire resume writers. The amount of information available online, much of it conflicting, can be overwhelming. And none of it is tailored to your personal situation. A resume writer will cut through the noise to create a document that will bear witness to you and your needs.
They need a resume for a specific role
However long you spend crafting the perfect resume, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all document. Your master resume will need to be tweaked for each individual role you apply for so that it shows exactly how you meet the specific needs of each employer. Whether you have your master resume ready to go and need it tailored to a specific role, or you need help creating the master resume to tweak yourself, there’s a resume writer with the expertise to do that.
They’re short on time
Let’s face it, writing a resume is a time-consuming task and not one that many people relish. If you’d rather dedicate your free time to job hunting, interview prep, or the latest box set, that’s fine! Let your resume writer take the strain while you spend your time doing what you need to do.
They’re not getting responses from their existing resume
So you thought your resume was the bee's knees, but the responses you get from sending it out say otherwise. When you’re not getting interviews for jobs you could do standing on your head in the dark; it’s time for some expert input.
What type of resume-writing service is best?
You’ll soon find that there are different types of resume-writing services available, so you’ll need to decide which option works best for you. As you might imagine, they each offer different levels of service, and the prices can vary dramatically.
Related read: 10 Best Resume Writing Services
Resume Factories
Be wary of resume factories, or “resume mills” as they’re sometimes called. These services often employ people with little professional resume knowledge. Many of their writers are inexperienced or may even lack proficiency in your native language. In addition, the companies behind these operations generally fail to provide the type of professional guidelines those writers would need to optimize their resumes properly.
Make no mistake: this type of resume-writing service is almost never worth the money you pay. If you do get a product back, it tends to be incomprehensible or rely on creative resume formats to disguise the fact that there is very little content.
You can spot these resume writer services by looking for these 3 things:
Promises that you’ll land a job – resumes win interviews
No phone number to contact
No examples of resumes they've written
Template services or resume builders
A resume template service cannot technically qualify as a resume-writing service at all. We’ve included it here, however, to note that they exist since you are likely to encounter them if you’re looking for a service. These operations tend to be a mixed bag, so there is always a risk when you use them.
Basically, they don’t actually write resumes at all. Instead, a resume builder provides one or more templates for you to enter all your work history details, and then the service creates a resume based on the template. If this is what you're looking for, here are 12 popular resume builders.
The costs are usually reasonable (if hidden), but the results can often be all but useless. As a rule, this option is only useful if you just want to get your basic resume details on record and plan to deliver the resume directly to the person who makes the hiring decisions. If you're using this resume for online applications, you risk getting overlooked by the applicant tracking system software due to formatting errors.
For example, if the resume template puts your contact information in the header or footer of a document, an ATS often won’t see it. If you’re still wondering, “Are resume builders worth it?” We’d say, “Probably not.”
Certified Professional Resume Writers
Your best option will always be to rely on true professionals. The best resume writing services will have qualified, experienced resume writers on staff. These professionals will be able to take your important information and craft a relevant, effective resume that provides the branding you need to stand out from the crowd. They also understand what hiring managers and recruiters want to see on a resume in 2024.
As you might expect, though, resume writers will require more time and more money because they are true experts. The process also requires greater collaboration from you. Hiring a resume writer means you are involved at different stages of the process. The writer will need to clarify details and ask for your complete trust that the final product satisfies current industry standards and your job seeking needs.
You can find a certified professional resume writer on platforms like LinkedIn or use a trusted service with a wide network of writers. LinkedIn resume writers’ costs can vary wildly, but you’ll have a huge range to choose from and are bound to find one in your region or industry. Our team researched over 200 resume service offers and came up with a list of the top 10 resume writing services for all industries.
Expert Tip
Services and individual resume writers come in all shapes and sizes, so research a few different services to see which one best meets your personal needs.
Tips for hiring a resume writer
There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of resume writers out there for you to choose from. So how can you be sure you’re choosing the best? Well, it really comes down to what you, as an individual, need.
Services. Some writers provide only a resume. Others offer cover letters and LinkedIn profiles, too. Others still offer career coaching or interview support. Select one that offers the services you need, and make sure you’re not paying for those you don’t.
Contact. How would you prefer to work with your writer? From web forms and email to phone consultations and Zoom chats, your communication preferences matter, so find someone who can accommodate your wishes.
Speed. If you want to apply for a role that closes this week, you’ll need to find a resume-writing service that offers expedited delivery. On the other hand, if you’re planning ahead, you could save money by opting for a standard turnaround time.
Budget. You’ll find a huge variation in the cost of resume services. Make sure the one you choose can offer the service you expect at a price-point you find acceptable.
Qualifications. Anyone can set themselves up as a resume writer, so you’ll need to research the service you intend to use. How long have they been in business? Do they have positive reviews and testimonials? Are they accredited by an industry body? Make sure you’re confident with their credentials before parting with any money.
So, are resume services worth it?
The answer to this question all boils down to one basic truth: your resume matters.
Now, if you’re a competent writer and have the time to learn what it takes to create an effective resume, then you probably don’t need to hire a resume writing service. However, if you have little experience with professional writing, then you almost certainly need a resume-writing service to help you create a winning resume so you can secure job interviews and land your dream job.
As noted, resume factories and templates can be of questionable value. A professional resume writing service, though, is more than just a means to an end. It is an investment in your job search efforts and your future and could be the key to achieving your ultimate career goals.
You get what you pay for, obviously. The key to ensuring that your resume writing service is worth the cost is to choose wisely. Find a well-known, reputable company that actively works with you to craft the perfect resume for your needs. When you can do that, your resume will almost certainly be worth the money you paid.
And when you consider the return on that investment, the costs for a professional writer are minimal indeed!
If you’re not sure whether you need to invest in a professional resume writing service, why not send your resume for a free, no-obligation review by our experts? With our feedback, you’ll have the information you need to decide whether to invest or whether your efforts hit the mark.
This article was originally written by Leo Bastone and has been updated by Jen David.
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Written by
Jen David, Editor & Content Writer, Jen David, Editor & Content Writer
Jen David has been writing CVs since 2010 and is the founder of CV Shed. She has worked with clients in numerous industries and at all stages of their careers, from students through to senior executives of global businesses. She loves producing polished, focused CVs that appeal to both human recruiters and applicant tracking systems, enabling her clients to take the next step in their careers. Jen has written and edited numerous articles for publication on industry-leading job boards.
