Are you searching for a job and worrying that your resume isn’t getting into the hands of the person? Maybe you’ve thought to yourself, is my resume getting rejected by an ATS?
If you’ve considered hiring a resume writer or resume writing service but don’t know where to start, then keep reading!
What Is a Resume Writer?
A resume writer is an expert in helping people who hire them create new resumes or edit their current ones. They typically help clients create a resume for each job that they want to apply to.
The resume writer ensures they’ve put all the requirements and credentials expected on the client’s resume. They also make sure that their clients resume work with ATS systems.
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Resume Writer
Here are some pros and cons of hiring a resume writer:
Pros
1. ATS Optimized Resumes
When you hire a professional resume writer, they can help you optimize your resume so that you don’t get rejected by the ATS system. In other words, they can help you make your resume more ATS-friendly.
It’s hard to tailor your resume yourself because most people don’t know everything about ATS, so a resume writer can help.
2. An Updated Resume
If you’ve been in a position for a long period of time, you might not know what things have changed. Industries are constantly changing, and it can be hard to keep up.
A resume writing service will know what your industry expects to see on a resume. They can help you tailor your resume to fit those standards.
3. Polished Writing Skills
Not everyone is a good writer. A resume writer’s service can help you put yourself in the best light on your resume.
They know how to write to convince hiring managers to give you a chance. They also know how to highlight your skills and make them stand out.
4. Attention to Details
Even if you aren’t in a writing field, submitting a resume with grammatical and spelling errors is unprofessional. A resume writer pays attention to detail and catches these errors. They’ll also help you adjust the tone, formatting, and anything else that may need to be adjusted on your resume to fit the position you’re applying for.
Cons
1. They Aren’t Free
A resume writer’s service can cost money. If you want one of the best resume writing services, it can be expensive.
The average price for a professional resume writer can range from $100 to $600, which can be difficult to pay if you’re unemployed.
2. Generic Writing Style
Many resume writers use the industry standard writing style for resumes, meaning they won’t always stand out. This means they’ll have similar keywords, appearance, phrasing, and more. In other words, you won’t get a unique-looking resume.
3. It Won’t Sound Like You
If you hire a professional resume writer, then your resume won’t sound like you’re writing it. If you provide them with many details, they can get it close to how you would write.
4. Cover Letter Could Differ
Some resume writer services provide a matching cover letter and thank you, but not all are in the same writing style. But if the one you hire doesn’t, you could end up with a cover letter with a different writing style. This could make it obvious that you hired a resume writer.
Tips For Hiring a Resume Writer
Here are five tips to consider before hiring a resume-writing service:
1. Have Reasonable Expectations
A resume is a great place to start when looking for a job. A good resume will help you get your foot in the door.
But there’s more to getting a job than just having a good resume. You’ll most likely need multiple versions of your resume because it’s recommended that you customize your resume according to the job you’re applying to.
Hiring a resume writer isn’t going to guarantee that you land a job. Look for one that’ll give you advice on how to customize your resume.
2. Have a Reasonable Budget
An exceptional high-end resume service can cost thousands of dollars. You don’t have to go for those, but you shouldn’t hire ones that are too cheap.
For example, if a resume writing service is charging $49, then you should be cautious.
This is an investment in your future, so you want to get a resume writer who will help you land that job sooner. Also, be careful not to spend more than you can afford. Hiring a resume writing service isn’t a guarantee that you’ll get a job. So, you need to keep that in mind when making your budget.
3. Look for Credentials
There are several professional associations for resume writers. They are:
Each of these organizations offers training and certifications for resume writers. Membership in one of these organizations isn’t always a guarantee of quality. But you can see how serious the resume writer is about their job if they belong to a professional organization.
4. Look at Reviews
Reviews can give you a good idea of what the resume writer specializes in, and you can find more information about what services they offer. You can also find out if they’re a scammer or do unsatisfactory work.
5. Follow the Rule of Three
Talk with at least three different resume writing services. This can give you an idea of what services are out there and help you figure out what you’re looking for. When talking to them, take your time getting to know the writer and ask any questions you may have. It’s important to hire a resume writer that you connect with.
5 Tips from Resume Writers
Here are five tips from resume writers:
1. Customize Your Resume
Before applying, read over the job posting and consider your relevant work experience. If you’ve got experience that isn’t relevant, leave it out. According to Demisha Jennings, a certified professional résumé writer and founder and owner of She Assists LLC (as quoted at WSJ.com),
“Even if you have the best experience, if your résumé isn’t speaking directly to the position in which you are applying, there is a strong chance you’ll never even get an interview.”
2. Prioritize Relevant Keywords
Add keywords from the job ad to your resume. This lets the ATS tracking system and the hiring manager know your qualifications.
But even if you’ve used all the right keywords, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the job. Ashley Watkins, a career coach and résumé writer with Write Step Résumés LLC, says (as quoted at WSJ.com),
“The ATS isn’t there to help the job seeker; it is there to help the employer review your skills against their most important qualifications.”
3. Highlight Your Achievements
Your resume should show what you’ve accomplished. According to Shannon Lehwald, peer career coach program manager at the University of Cincinnati (as quoted at UC News),
“Use quantitative/numerical data in your experience bullet points. It helps measure your experiences, and the visualization of the numbers forces the reader to pause and spend more time with your resume.”
4. Have a Stylish Resume
Your resume should look clean, professional, and ATS-friendly. But, if possible, add subtle color in the section headings or bars separating the sections. This will help your resume to stand out. Ms. Leavy-Detrick says (as quoted at WSJ.com),
“When I say design, I don’t mean crazy graphic design. I mean, having a polished application… Think of it the same way you would coming dressed to an interview, it is part of your presentation, and so many people overlook this on the résumé.”
5. Add a Summary
You often see objective statements on example resumes. Objective statements are outdated. Instead, add a summary to the top of your resume.
A hiring manager often reviews the summary first. A summary gives you a chance to bring up your skills and work in keywords. According to David J. Smith of David J. Smith Consulting, LLC (as quoted in Forbes),
“If the job asks for someone who can “perform A, B and C,” then the summary should include “qualified in A, B and C.” This tells the reviewer that the applicant is specifically directing his application to this job.”
Learn More About Resumes
Here are some helpful articles that you can read to learn more about resumes:
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