Choosing the best resume writing service can be tricky with so many available options. To choose the service that best fits your needs, we’ve compiled 5 useful tips to help you make the right decision.
1. The Writers
The reason we’ve chosen to highlight the writers first is because it is the most important factor in which resume writing service you should select. The best resume writing services employ top-notch writers with years of experience. When searching for a service that fits your needs, you should consider whether they employ in-house writers or simply contract out to whoever they can find on any given week. Often, the services who employ in-house writers are able to create much higher quality resumes due to the experience of their writers.
Are the writers based in the United States?
Although there can certainly be talented writers from other countries, you’re likely to get the best results by choosing a service that only employs writers based in the US. Furthermore, it’s important to ensure that the writers of the service you choose are fluent English speakers. To determine this, it’s a good idea to ask what their average education level. For example, Resume Writing Group only employs writers who have a minimum of a bachelor’s-level education in English or a similar discipline. Askamanager says that typos on a resume can make a big difference in your application. Hiring writers that are competent at writing error-free prose is critical if you want to maximize your chances of getting hired.
Hire an experienced team!
Everyone knows that practice makes perfect. That’s why you should try to hire a company with years of experience and a writing team to match. Check to see whether their team hires entry-level writers or experienced writers. On average, a top-notch writer should have a minimum of five years of experience. At The Resume Writing Expert, every writer has at least five years of experience and their senior-level writers average 15-20 years of experience.
Check their specialties.
General experience can only take you so far if you want to write a successful resume. If possible, you should try to hire a team that has experience writing resumes for your specific industry. That way, you can be confident they understand the terminology and the requirements of your field. A general resume writer might be able to create a serviceable resume, but that doesn’t mean they understand the intricacies of your experience and how best to present that experience.
2. Data Over Opinions
Since you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you have already read numerous conflicting opinions about resume writing. Unfortunately, many of these opinions are likely factually incorrect. To choose the best resume writing service, you should look for a service that bases their resume writing decisions on actual data rather than subjective opinions. That way, you know when they explain their methodology that you aren’t simply getting another unreliable opinion.
Check their success rate.
Many resume writing companies don’t bother to measure their success rate. However, if they aren’t checking to see whether their resumes are getting their clients hired, how do they know that the strategies they’re using actually work? More importantly, how do you know that you can trust them to handle your resume if they can’t show you results? Instead, you should choose a company that can provide you with actual data on how likely their clients are to get hired.
Evaluate their internal metrics.
Ask any company you’re considering whether they measure response rates and offer rates. A good resume writing service strives to increase the number of job offers an applicant receives by 2x over a DIY resume. If they can’t command at least this level of success, it’s probably best to steer clear.
3. Customer Service
Purchasing an online service that you’ve never worked with in the past can be a frightening experience. Unfortunately, many services, such as TopResume offer mediocre customer service. To get the most out of your purchase, you should look for a company that provides multiple methods of communication. These communication methods could include phone, email, and live chat support. Ideally, you should choose a company that provides all three. You should also check what type of revision policy they offer. Good resume writing companies should allow multiple free revisions in case there is something you want changed after receiving your new resume.
4. Turnaround Time
We live in a fast-paced age that requires immediate service. The employment market is no different – employers won’t wait for you to apply simply because you tell them the company you hired hasn’t finished your resume yet. In a deadline-driven environment, it’s important to select a resume service that doesn’t take weeks to prepare a new resume. Try to find a service that offers a standard turnaround within just a few business days. If it takes longer than that for the service to deliver a resume, your next question should be: why does it take you so long? Chances are that the company outsources their writing to a third-party or that their writers are overwhelmed with too many projects.
5. Additional Support
The success of your career is dependent on more than just your resume. Although a great resume is the cornerstone of your application, it’s important to support that cornerstone. This means that you should choose a service that provides more than basic resume support. Additional services can include professional LinkedIn profile writing, cover letter preparation, and interview/career coaching. These services can be nearly as important as the resume itself.
LinkedIn profile writing.
SocialPilot reports that there are over 65 million employers currently listed on LinkedIn. This makes it a top resource for applicants looking to take their careers to the next level. To leverage LinkedIn to its fullest extent, you’ll want to hire a resume service that also assists with optimizing your LinkedIn profile. Organizations that provide this additional option are in the best position to set you up for future success.
Cover letter writing.
In our article, How to Write a Great Cover Letter, we discuss the importance of applying with a cover letter than just your resume. Similar to leaving the house with barefoot, applying without a cover letter isn’t the best strategy if you want to maximize success rates. Over 75% of employers give specific preference to applicants who submit a cover letter over those who don’t. Therefore, hiring a service that can also craft a great letter – not just an AI-generated template – is a great way to increase your likelihood of being hired.
Interview & career coaching.
In our article, Take Your Interviewing to the Next Level, we cover the importance of interviewing effectively. Even top-notch communicators often need to brush up on their interviewing tactics. As we discussed earlier in this article, practice makes perfect. With that being said, hiring a service that also has access to top-notch career coaches is a great choice if you want to take full advantage of the results you’ll presumably be getting with your new resume.
The Wrap on Choosing the Best Resume Writing Service
To get the most out of your career, you want to choose a service that uses quality writers, has years of experience, and offers full support for the entire application process. Doing your research and asking questions is a great way to make sure that you’re going to get the most bang for your buck when you decide to hire a professional company to assist with your career.
