7 Tips for Finding a Good Resume Service

Maybe the biggest hurdle you’ll have to cross when you’re looking for a new job is creating the perfect resume. No pressure, but it really should be just about perfect!

That’s why many job hunters turn to professional resume writing services. But once you start looking for help, it can get confusing. If you’re going to spend money getting your resume done, you want to be sure you’re working with a great service.

Here are seven tips for finding a good resume service:

1. Ask for samples. You want your resume to stand out from the pile – for the right reasons. You don’t want it to be strange-looking; you’re going for professional yet eye-catching. Your resume is the first glimpse a prospective employer gets of you, and you don’t want it to end up in the trash before you even get a chance to be interviewed. Check to make sure your resume service isn’t using a canned template, where every resume they produce looks exactly like all the others.

2. Ask to be asked. Questions, that is. It’s impossible for a resume service to present you well to prospective employers unless they know enough about you – and that only happens by interviewing you (either over the phone or by using a thorough questionnaire). They’ll use this information when they write your cover letter, too, and the more they know, the better they’ll do – but if they don’t ask questions, the result will be a non-descript resume that could be almost anyone’s.

3. Ask them to follow instructions. Some employers list very specific submission requirements – partially as a test of how well you follow directions. If your resume and cover letter don’t comply with these specifications, you will be eliminated from the pool of candidates.

4. Ask about revisions. Generally, professional writers are prepared to do a round or two of revisions – and many will rewrite until their clients are satisfied. You need to know this in advance. For many good resume services, the policy is that you will be satisfied – no matter how many revisions it takes.

5. Ask about time. When you’re job hunting, time is working against you. You may only hear about an opening days before a decision is scheduled to be made. If you can’t get your resume and cover letter to the employer quickly enough, you may be out of luck. Typically, a good resume service can deliver within a couple of days.

6. Ask for a link. As you interview different writing services, ask for a link to their website. Their websites basically serve as their resumes, so you should experience at least some degree of "wow" when you visit. Remember, these are potentially the people who will be creating your first impression with your prospects.

7. Ask about their connections. There is a professional association for resume writers, and a designation (Certified Professional Resume Writer) that’s a good indicator a resume writing service is committed to the business. Membership also shows they are dedicated to staying current on the latest trends and resume guidelines.

Of course, you want to ask about price as well – but be very careful about choosing your provider based solely on price. There are some very inexpensive resume services that provide excellent service, and some very expensive ones that will leave you lingering in the job hunt process.

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