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The best resume writing services help you get a leg up in the age of computer-screened resumes. Let’s be honest, it’s 2022 and computer vision and machine learning is here to stay. It’s crucial that your professional resume showcases your unique skills and experiences and emphasizes why you’d make a great employee, but they also need to be written to make you stand out – to both humans and computers.
Our career experts spent 45 hours researching over 20 online resume writing services, and talking to recruiters and hiring managers to learn what makes a resume stand out for a dream job.
Our best overall recommendation is to check out TopResume’s free resume review first. If you are looking for an executive position, then ZipJob is the first place we’d start. Both TopResume and ZipJob have a free resume review, that will help you understand where your resume can be improved for Applicant Tracking Systems. They’ll have you covered for all your needs, from resume writing to LinkedIn profile updates. There are many options out there, so you can also keep reading to learn more about the other sites we reviewed.
The 7 Best Resume Writing Services in 2022
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TopResume – Best Overall
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TopStack Resume – Runner- Up – * Don’t Pay Until You’re Satisfied *
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ZipJob – Best For Executives And Professionals
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ResumeSpice – Best For Job Seekers Of Any Level
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Resumeble – Best For ATS Optimization
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JobStars – Best For Resume Distribution
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Visual CV – Best for CVs
Other Top Resume Writing Services To Consider
In addition to our top picks, we looked at 12 other resume writing services, which didn’t make the final cut. Some produced generic template-based resumes and others fell short because their services weren’t very comprehensive. But if you don’t find something you like with our top picks, you may want to check out some of these:
- Career Perfect
- Careers Booster
- Live Career
- Pro Resume Writing Services
- Resume Professional Writers
- Resume Writers Direct
- Resume2Hire
- ResumeEdge
- ResumePrime
- ResumeSpice
- ResumeWriters.com
- Velvet Jobs
There are also resume builders that take a more templated approach at a lower price point. If you’re not great at selling yourself, you might want to turn to a resume writing service to help you stand out.
What Are Resume Writing Services, And How Can They Help You?
Recruiters agree that most job seekers can benefit from an outside perspective on their resume.
Resume writing services look at your skills and experiences and help you parse out the details that illustrate why you’re a great fit for a particular position, and help you capture the attention of a hiring manager.
Some services are little more than online tools that walk you through each section and offer suggestions of what to write.
However, most people looking for resume writing help to land a dream job or their next executive role, are interested in a full-service option. This is where the best resume writing services will pair you with a professional writer who works with you one on one to gather information about your work and education history to tailor a personalized professional resume from scratch. For those willing to pay extra, they’ll also write you a cover letter and help optimize your LinkedIn profile.
We put together this guide to help you choose among hundreds of the best resume writing services. We spoke with industry experts and compared dozens of the most popular resume builder tools and professional writing services to determine which offered the best value to job seekers. We looked at:
- sample resume options, and resume templates
- writer qualifications
- options for customization
- additional services offered by the companies
Full Reviews of the Best Resume Writing Services
TopResume — Best Overall
Read the full Careercloud
TopResume Review.
TopResume
delivers sound resumes for workers of all backgrounds and it lets you try the service for free by requesting a free expert resume review. This is a rare offering from a professional resume writing company and it can give you a sense of how much assistance you need. That can guide you toward which of the company’s three resume writing packages are the best fit for you. It builds its packages around the types of services it offers rather than your career level, as many other professional resume writing companies do. This shouldn’t affect most consumers, but higher-ups may prefer a company with more experience handling executive resumes.
Where It Excels
TopResume offers several resume writing solutions targeted at people of all skill levels and budgets. Start with its free resume review service by uploading your current resume to the site. Unlike many other online resume building resources, TopResume’s tool doesn’t just give you cliche feedback based on a computer formula. Instead, one of its real resume writing experts will look over it and give you personalized feedback within two business days. This is a great way to decide if the service is right for you before committing any money.
There are three resume writing packages you can choose from, depending on how much assistance you want. The basic Professional Growth package includes a well-formatted and keyword-optimized resume written by a professional in your industry. The Career Evolution package includes all of that plus a handwritten cover letter. The Executive Priority package includes a cover letter and a LinkedIn profile makeover, plus a guarantee that your resume will be written by one of the company’s best resume writers.
The Career Evolution and Executive Priority packages include a 60-day interview guarantee. If you’re not getting twice the interviews you were before after having TopResume professionally rewrite your resume, it will do it all over for you at no extra cost. You must notify the company in writing within 180 days in order to take advantage of this service.
Where It Falls Short
Make sure to read the fine print for TopResume’s 60-day Interview Guarantee. There is no full refund offered. Their guarantee says you will double your interviews with their services or you will get a free resume rewrite and that all sales are final.
Additionally, TopResume is very upfront with the associated costs, but the basic pricing tier is still $149, which is pretty high. An unemployed job seeker may not have any extra cash to purchase resume writing services.
Pricing
- Expert Resume Review: Free
- Professional Growth Resume Service: $149
- Career Evolution Resume Service: $219
- Executive Priority Resume Service: $349
Don’t take our word for it! Check out these reviews from real people who have used TopResume.
TopStack Resume — Runner- Up – * Don’t Pay Until You’re Satisfied *
Read the full CareerCloud TopStack Resume review.
TopStack Resume writers create custom, ATS-friendly resumes that will wow hiring managers and recruiters. They can also craft engaging cover letters and LinkedIn™ profile content. And, if you need some extra support during your job search, you can work with one of the company’s career consultants for guidance.
Where It Excels
TopStack stands out with their unique pay-after model. When you place an order with TopStack, you don’t need to enter a credit card number or any payment information. When your resume is complete, they will send you a link to review. At that time, you pay for your order if you are satisfied. No other resume writing service offers this unique pay-after option.
The pay-after option allows you to get started with TopStack risk-free.
TopStack Resume’s resume writing service follows a simple process. First, you’ll submit an online order form with details about your career goals and professional experience. You can also attach your current resume if you have one.
Then, your order will get assigned to a resume writer. You’ll work closely with your writer via email or phone until you’re satisfied with the progress made on your resume. Once you feel good about how it looks, you’ll pay for your order. Your writer will then make any final adjustments needed and send you the completed document.
TopStack Resume offers four resume writing packages, so you can choose the level of service that meets your needs. First, the Basic package comes with a professionally written resume and email communication with your writer. Next, the Standard package comes with everything from the Basic level, plus a cover letter.
Then, the Professional package builds on the Standard level with LinkedIn™ profile content and phone communication with your writer. Finally, the Premium package mirrors the Professional package with the addition of up to 4 hours of career consulting.
Career consultations meet you where you are. Each conversation will get tailored to your current situation, whether you’re creating a job search strategy, preparing for an interview, or planning to make a career change.
Both the Professional and the Premium packages come with a 60-day interview guarantee. If you don’t receive any interviews within 60 days of purchasing your resume (and you’ve applied to at least ten jobs during that time), TopStack Resume will provide additional career guidance and application support to you for free. Plus, when you purchase one of these higher-level packages, you’ll get to work with one of the company’s most experienced writers.
TopStack Resume also gives back to the community. Five percent of the firm’s profits get donated to the Fisher House Foundation, which provides free lodging to loved ones of hospitalized military personnel.
get started with topstack resume
Where It Falls Short
While it’s reassuring to have some sort of guarantee when you buy a service, you won’t get your money back if your resume doesn’t help you land an interview. Plus, unless you pay extra to expedite your order, it can take up to two weeks to get your finished document. That timeline may not work for you if you need to find a new job as soon as possible. And, even though the company’s prices are lower than some of its competitors (particularly when you consider what’s included), the price tag may still be too big if money is tight.
Pricing
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Basic Resume Writing Package: $139
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Standard Resume Writing Package: $199
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Professional Resume Writing Package: $279
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Premium Resume Writing Package: $649
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Upgrade to Phone Communication with Writer: $25
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Resume Writing Expediting: $50
Check out some of these reviews from individuals who have used TopStack Resume!
ZipJob — Best For Executives
Read the full CareerCloud ZipJob review.
ZipJob offers full resume rewrite or new resume creation services for any industry. You can even have your resume reviewed for free within 48 hours! ZipJob knows that most employers use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen resumes, so they take the time to optimize your resume to pass and score high in ATS systems and also scan your resume with similar ATS technology to make sure it passes the test. There are three different package options, as well as a free resume review, available to fit your needs.
Learn more about the best executive resume services.
Where It Excels
ZipJob writers have helped candidates secure jobs at Google, Apple, Chase, Allstate, Esurance, Groupon and more. You can start with the free resume review service by uploading your resume to the site. ZipJob will provide detailed feedback on your resume presentation, design and even run your resume through an ATS scanning test. This free resume review is completed by a resume expert and will be back to you within 48 hours. This is a great way to check out ZipJob and see if the service is what you are looking for before paying for a service.
There are three resume packages to choose from, depending how much help you are looking for.
The basic package is called “Launch” and includes a professionally written resume from a resume expert, keyword-optimized resume prepared for ATS scanning, direct communication with your resume writer through the ZipJob dashboard and unlimited revisions.
The next package is the most popular and is called “Fast Track.” This package includes everything from the Launch package, but also includes a custom cover letter and a 60-day interview guarantee. According to ZipJob, if you are not landing at least two times more interviews after 60 days, they will ask you to send over a few of the links to jobs you have applied for. Then, they will review your resume against those jobs and see what additional improvements can be made. ZipJob will update your resume and provide further recommendations.
The next package is the “Premium” package. This package includes everything mentioned so far, as well as LinkedIn profile updates with keyword optimization, optional phone consultation, expedited delivery and future resume updates for life.
The final package is the “Executive” package. This package includes a professionally written and ATS-optimized resume, a custom cover letter, LinkedIn optimization, resume distribution, a phone consultation with a resume expert, unlimited revisions and free future updates.
Where It Falls Short
Be sure to read the fine print for ZipJob’s 60-Day Interview Guarantee. There is no money-back guarantee offered. Their guarantee says that you will land two times more interviews in 60 days, but they also acknowledge that some things are out of their control. They offer no money back and all sales are final.
Further, ZipJob is very clear about their pricing, but the lowest-priced Launch package comes in at $139. Someone who is unemployed or between jobs may not have the funds to purchase this service.
Pricing
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Expert Resume Review: Free
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Launch Resume Service: $139
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Fast Track Resume Service: $189
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Premium Resume Service: $299
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Executive Resume Service: $799
Check out these reviews from happy customers!
ResumeSpice – Best For Inside Track on What Recruiters Are Looking For
ResumeSpice is a highly-rated resource for job seekers, earning the #1 Trustpilot rating for resume writing and career coaching. Recruiters founded the company, so you’ll get a resume that exceeds hiring manager and human resources personnel expectations. ResumeSpice clients have secured positions at top companies like Amazon, Apple, and Facebook. No matter what industry you’re in, job function you perform, or career level you’re at, the provider can likely help you land your next role.
Where It Excels
ResumeSpice creates high-quality resumes in a short time. Once you purchase the service, you’ll have a phone consultation with a resume writing expert. They’ll ask you questions about your experience, education, credentials, and career aspirations. Then, they’ll write a draft of your resume, have it reviewed by other resume writing experts from the company, and get it to you within two business days – faster than many other resume writing services.
The document will be keyword optimized so it can make it through applicant tracking system screening processes. It will also be well-formatted and compelling to pique the interest of human readers. You’ll receive the final version via email in both PDF and Word document formats.
If you need additional support, ResumeSpice writes cover and thank you letters, professional bios, and LinkedIn profiles. The company also offers interview preparation and career coaching sessions. That way, you can get personalized guidance for your next professional move.
ResumeSpice pledges that your resume will be effective and offers a 60-Day Interview Guarantee. If you don’t land any interviews within two months of receiving your final resume, the company will rework it for no additional cost. You do have to meet some conditions, such as submitting the document to 15 or more companies during that time. Please see the firm’s website for the full terms.
Where It Falls Short
ResumeSpice is pricey. The company doesn’t offer package deals for buying multiple services, either. While the company officially allows two rounds of revisions, they have a stellar reputation and promise to address any concerns you have, even if it goes beyond two edits.
Pricing
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Entry-Level Resume: $409 (good for recent graduates or those with less than two years of experience)
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Professional Resume: $519 (good for those with more than two years of experience)
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Executive Resume: $629 (good for those seeking C-suite/senior management positions or high-salary roles)
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Cover Letter: $189
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Professional Bio: $189
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LinkedIn Profile: $189
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Interview Preparation: $189 per session
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Career Coaching: $179-$695 (depending on the number of sessions)
Here are a few reviews from people who have used ResumeSpice! You can check out additional reviews on Trustpilot.
RESUMEBLE – BEST FOR ATS OPTIMIZATION
Resumeble features a consultancy approach to resume writing. This ensures direct interaction with your writer to deliver maximum value. According to Resumeable, hiring a professional to write or rewrite your resume offers four advantages that can make the difference between being one of the crowd or the applicant that stands out: 1) It saves time. Resumeble streamlines the writing process to help you stay ahead of other potential candidates; 2) It’s stress-free. You don’t need to worry about format, spelling, grammar, tone, keywords, or ATS optimization; 3) It gives you a second pair of eyes. No matter how good you are as a writer, it’s always a good idea to have an expert review your resume; and 4) It makes your resume compelling. One-size-fits-all doesn’t work in the resume world. With your writer, you can develop a resume that targets your hiring audience and successfully represents your skills and experience. Or as they like to say at Resumeble, you’ll master the art of “humblebrag.”
Where It Excels
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are here to stay. That being said, beating the ATS is key to getting your resume noticed. It’s also a complicated task to accomplish. The writers at Resumeble know exactly how this system works and how to structure your resume in the most focused and cohesive manner to make it a potent weapon against ATS algorithms.
Where It Falls Short
With a Trustpilot score of 9.2, a robust and updated blog, and competitive pricing, the only thing missing from Resumeble’s website was a listing of companies that their clients have been hired at. Similar services proudly boast the companies that their clients have gotten hired at, but there is no mention of reputable companies on Resumeable’s site.
There is also no resume diagnostic like with Zipjob or TopResume, so you don’t have the option of uploading your current resume in order to see where you’re falling short.
Pricing
Choose among three packages and four additional services:
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Career Pro: $149
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Professional: $229
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Premium: $339
Other services are $99 to $149.99 and include cover letter writing, LinkedIn write-up, resume writing, and CV writing. There’s even a short questionnaire to help you determine the most suitable package or service for your needs.
Resumeble promises that you’ll receive an interview call within 60 days of the order completion. Just in case you don’t, they’ll be happy to rewrite your resume free of charge.
JobStars – Best For Resume Distribution
JobStars resume writing service can help you land your next role regardless of your industry or experience level. Resume writers will share your career history in your own voice and tailor the document to your professional goals. Your resume (and cover letter if purchased) will be well-formatted, professionally written, and ATS-friendly. The company also offers several other services to help your job search efforts, such as LinkedIn profile optimization, career coaching, and resume distribution.
Where It Excels
JobStars offers a range of job search-related solutions, so you can get all of the help you need in one place. An experienced writer will create a compelling resume that impresses hiring managers. They can also develop powerful copy for your cover letter, LinkedIn™ profile, or professional bio.
And, unlike many other resume writing service providers, the company can also distribute your resume to over 500 recruiters that match job seekers with their dream roles in your area. That way, you have a whole team of people on the hunt for your next opportunity. Plus, if you need guidance on how to ace your upcoming interview or make a career change, JobStars has career coaches standing by to work with you.
JobStars offers three resume writing packages to suit various needs: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The Bronze package includes an initial intake consultation, your resume, an optional cover letter, and 30 days of unlimited revisions. The Silver package includes everything from the Bronze level and adds in the LinkedIn™ profile optimization service. Finally, the Gold package includes everything from the Silver level plus the resume distribution service.
Where It Falls Short
While you’ll get 30 days of unlimited revisions to ensure your satisfaction with your resume, JobStars doesn’t guarantee that your new resume will help you secure more interviews or land a job. However, other resume writing service providers offer an interview guarantee, so if you don’t secure interviews within a certain amount of time of purchasing a new resume, you’ll receive a resume rewrite or other job search support at no charge.
JobStars is also quite pricey. The Bronze package starts at $495, and the Gold package runs as high as $1,595. So, this service may be financially out of reach if you’re on a budget. But, if you have an existing resume that needs a quick update or fine-tuning, you can purchase a resume refresh, starting at $195.
Pricing
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Bronze Resume Package: $495-$895
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Silver Resume Package: $650-$1,295
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Gold Resume Package: $950-$1,595
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Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Federal Resume: $695-$1,395
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Resume Refresh: $195-$795
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Cover Letter: $95-$295
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LinkedIn™ Optimization: $250-$495
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Professional Bio: $150-$650
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Resume Distribution: $325-$395
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Career Coaching: $495 for the initial package; $150 per additional session
Prices vary based on your career level, any add-on services you elect, how soon you need the document, and other factors.
Returning customers are eligible for discounts. You may request a refund within 30 days of purchase and before resume writing begins. After that, all sales are final.
VisualCV – Best For CVs
VisualCV is an online curriculum vitae (CV) and resume builder. Using the tool, you can create ATS-friendly documents with just a few clicks. The service provider can also review or format an existing resume. And, if you need a bit more help, you can hire the company to write your resume for you.
Where It Excels
VisualCV is easy to use, so you can create a visually appealing and effective CV or resume in minutes. You’ll start by creating a free account using your Google or LinkedIn™ credentials or email address. Then, you’ll choose one of 25+ templates to format your document.
Next, you’ll upload your existing CV or resume. If you don’t have one (or don’t like what you’ve got), you can write your content from scratch. If you need a little inspiration, VisualCV offers sample copy you can tweak, examples of well-written CVs you can review, and helpful resources you can reference.
Once you’re happy with your content, you can adjust your fonts or change your template until you love the way your document looks. Then, you can get a shareable link or download it as a Word or .pdf file.
You can also see how often your CV or resume gets viewed on your VisualCV dashboard. Plus, you can start an online career journal on the VisualCV website to log your professional accomplishments. That way, you can refer to it in the future when it’s time to update your resume or CV again.
Where It Falls Short
While you can create a resume or CV for free, you can’t download or share it until you purchase a Pro subscription. After you purchase a subscription, you’ll be able to create and download unlimited resumes, CVs, cover letters, and career journal entries. You’ll also get a personal website that you can use to market yourself or your services.
But, if you only want to create one CV or resume, you may hesitate to pay for everything else.
And while the subscription price is relatively low, VisualCV’s resume writing service may be too expensive if you’re unemployed or on a shoestring budget.
Pricing
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Pro Subscription: $13 per month billed quarterly or $20 per month billed monthly
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Resume Formatting: $9
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Resume Review: $49
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Resume Writing Entry-Level: $149
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Resume Writing Mid-Level: $259
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Resume Writing Senior-Level: $399
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Resume Writing Executive-Level: $899
If you’re not satisfied with your VisualCV subscription, you can request a refund for any reason within 30 days.
Other Types of Resume Services Depending on Your Budget
Resume Builder Tools
Resume builder tools are a good choice if you’re a strong writer and you want to try creating a resume for yourself. But be wary of relying on the tool’s recommendations too much. Remember, everyone else on the site is seeing those same suggestions too. If you’re not confident in your ability to write a great resume, you may be better off going with a professional resume writing service. One resume builder tool that we recommend is MyPerfectResume. For more information, you can read our full review of MyPerfectResume.
Professional Writing Services — CV, cover letter and more
A professional resume writing service is the best way to guarantee an original, personalized resume, but it comes at a high cost. Depending on your field, experience level and the package you choose, you could pay anywhere from $90 to several hundred dollars. A professionally written resume is also going to take longer. Most services take about three days to complete a resume. There is usually an option to expedite it, but that costs extra.
How to Choose a Resume Writing Service
We looked at several factors when choosing our top resume writing services. The most important of these were writer qualifications, collaboration, customization and the additional services the company offers.
Free ATS Resume Assessment
You should definitely look for a resume service that can give you feedback on your current resume. That’s why we like Topresume so much. A free resume scan basically has a computer read your resume and assess whether or not it’s well optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) which are used by all types of employers as the first screen of applicant resumes. Once your free scan is complete, you can decide to take the next step and have a resume writer optimize your resume to beat the ATS. If not, you’ll at least have some great feedback on what you need to improve on your own.
Writer Qualifications
It also helps to have a writer who knows your field and is familiar with industry jargon. The best resume writing services will have a network of certified writers that specialize in different areas. Resumes Planet, for example, has over 200 certified writers specializing in 40 different fields. So someone who works in healthcare will be assigned a resume writer with a healthcare background, while someone in IT will get a writer trained in that field. This industry knowledge enables the writers to go deeper and add specific, tailored information to your resume that will be sure to catch the eye of employers.
Collaboration
Some companies take a less personal approach. You fill out an online form with your information and you don’t hear anything from the writer until the draft is complete. This can be stressful and result in a final product that you’re unhappy with. All of our top professional resume writing services give you direct access to your writer throughout the process, and we favored the ones that included a phone consultation.
Customization
A good professional resume writer will also customize the resume itself. This means taking the information you provide and arranging it in a compelling format that flows well and is easy to read. Some writers take the information you submit, change a few words around and call it a brand-new resume, so it’s a good idea to check out the samples on the company’s website before you make any decisions. After comparing a few, you should be able to tell which provides the best results.
Additional Services
Professional resume writing companies generally offer a suite of services that includes cover and thank-you letter writing, LinkedIn profile development, resume editing and more. The cost of these services vary, depending on what tier (entry level, executive, etc.) you choose. Companies will often give you discounts if you purchase a bundle of services at the same time you pay for your resume, so keep this in mind if you’re interested in these extras. They’re not for everyone, but they’re great options to have if you want to give yourself the best possible chance of landing the job of your dreams.
Related: The Best LinkedIn Profile Writing Services
What We Didn’t Consider: Price and Turnaround Time
Some companies offer $25 resumes and a 24-hour turnaround time. That may sound great, but it’s actually not. In this industry, you generally get what you pay for, and if a company’s promising you the moon for pocket change, chances are, they’re not putting a lot of effort into your resume. Likewise, if a company’s bragging about its “experienced” writers that have each completed thousands of resumes, that’s probably an indication that they’re using the same generic templates for everyone. Bottom line, if you’re going to invest in a professional resume service, make sure you choose one that’s worth your money. Do some research and check out some of the sample resumes on their website. (If they don’t have any, that’s also a red flag.) Learn more about the company’s process and look for some type of satisfaction guarantee. You should feel confident in the company you choose before you hand over your credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions about Writing Resumes
Do I need to use a professional resume writing service?
No, of course not. If you feel confident in your writing abilities and you’re a good self-promoter, you shouldn’t have any trouble writing a solid resume on your own. But there are certain situations where hiring a professional writer may be advantageous.
Writing and marketing aren’t your fortes.
Your resume is a prospective employer’s first introduction to you. Chances are, they have dozens — maybe even hundreds — of others sitting on their desk, so you have to make yours stand out quickly if you want a shot at an interview. A bunch of spelling errors and generic phrases like “enthusiastic hard worker” aren’t going to get you very far. You have to know how to highlight your skills and achievements in an original, dynamic way. You can learn a little about how to do this by looking at examples online, but if you find yourself struggling, it may be easier to hand the job over to someone that’s trained in the field.
You have special requirements.
Students with no work experience, people changing careers and those with long gaps in their work history may have a more difficult time creating a strong resume that will appeal to employers. Professional resume writers are trained to handle these types of cases, and some even specialize in one specific area. This kind of experience is a huge advantage when dealing with tricky situations, and it could be well worth the cost of a professional resume writer.
Time is of the essence.
When you need to land a job right away, you want the best resume possible. If you’re sending your current resume out to a bunch of companies and hearing nothing back, that may be a sign that it needs some work. An excellent resume can significantly shorten your job search and help you find more exciting, lucrative career opportunities, so it’s worth investing the time and money to make sure you jump off the page.
What makes a resume great?
If you want to stand out from other applicants, your resume has to tell employers who you are, what you’ve done and why you’d be a great fit for their company. There’s a lot of advice out there on the best way to write a resume, and the best way for you is going to depend on your unique situation and experiences. Here are a few general guidelines to help improve any resume.
Cut to the chase.
According to a study by TheLadders, the average employer spends only six seconds looking at each resume. That means you have to make your point and make it fast if you want them to look closer. Don’t start with a boring objective statement like “Talented, hard-working professional interested in opportunities for growth with a successful company.” That may be true, but it’s true of most other applicants as well, and it does nothing to distinguish you from the pack.
Instead, begin with a short executive summary that explains why you would be a great fit for that company. Keep it simple and limit it to a few sentences. There’s plenty of opportunities to add detail in the later sections of your resume. Your goal with your introduction isn’t to score an interview — it’s to keep the employer reading. Then, let your qualifications and accomplishments do the rest.
Be specific in your achievements.
Don’t say you saved your previous employer a bunch of money. Say how much you saved and how you did it. This gives prospective employers a better sense of your value and abilities, and it will stand out much more in their minds than a vague, general description. List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order so your most recent achievements are near the top.
Tailor your resume to the job.
Before submitting your resume, look over the job posting and scan for keywords and skills listed in the job description. Incorporate these into your resume whenever possible. Some employers use a screening process to cut down the number of resumes they have to look at, so by making sure yours is tailored to exactly what the company is looking for, you stand a better chance of making it through.
Keep it professional.
Make sure you proofread your resume before you send it in. Nothing says “I’m not detail-oriented” like misspellings and poor grammar. Don’t use a bunch of crazy fonts and don’t include a photo of yourself. These things aren’t necessary and they’re distracting to those who are reading your resume. You don’t want four of the six seconds they’ll likely spend looking at it to be staring at a picture of you.
Keep it concise.
Avoid using a bunch of fluffy adjectives and adverbs that don’t add any real meaning, and don’t use pronouns. Whenever possible, limit your resume to one page, but don’t make it so cluttered that it’s difficult to read. Most people skip over large blocks of text when they’re reading, and if you do this on your resume, there’s a chance important information could get overlooked.
What do I put on my resume if I have little or no work experience?
When you don’t have a lot of work experience, it can be difficult to know how to make yourself appealing to a potential employer. Ideally, you’ll have some type of internship or volunteer experience in the field you’re interested in, but if you don’t, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Here are a few tips on how to overcome a short work history. For more in-depth tips, read our guide to creating a resume that stands out with no experience.
Play up your skills.
Employers aren’t going to care about what you did at your last job as much as they care about what you’re capable of doing for them. If you don’t have any career experience to put on your resume, focus on the skills you have that could benefit their company. Problem-solving, time management and research skills are a few examples. If you have any previous jobs or experiences that enabled you to develop these skills, highlight them here.
Get some experience, if possible.
If you’re a student or a recent college grad, try to get an internship in your field. This will give you valuable work experience that will look good to future employers, and it can teach you more about the type of work you’re interested in doing. You may also want to check out any volunteer opportunities in your community that are related to your field. Even if it’s not exactly the kind of job you want to do, it can still teach you valuable career skills that will translate to any profession.
Don’t overemphasize your schooling.
Education is a part of everyone’s resume, and as a student or recent graduate, it will likely be a bigger part of yours than for someone who’s been out in the workforce for 20 years. But don’t let that be the main focus of your resume. Emphasize your skills and what you can bring to a prospective employer. For most jobs, a strong work ethic, good personal management skills and a willingness to learn are as important — if not more so — than the knowledge you learned in school.
What’s the difference between a resume and a CV?
For most jobs, a resume will suffice, and it may even be preferred over a CV. The exceptions are if you’re applying for an academic, scientific or international career. Most countries outside of the U.S. prefer CVs, so if you’re considering a move overseas, a simple resume won’t be enough. Academic and scientific professions also prefer CVs because they give a more detailed overview of research and publications, professional licenses, grants and awards.
Because of the level of detail, CVs can be more difficult to write than resumes. Most professional resume writing services will do CVs as well, though they may be more expensive. It could be worth the additional cost, though, especially if you’re new to CVs and you’re not sure what information you should include.