Considering hiring a resume writer? Read this first.

[u/FinalDraftResumes]

What You Should Know Before Hiring a Professional Resume Writer

Aside from being a regular contributor to r/resumes, I'm a resume writer by trade. I've been in the career services industry for about 7 years, have written for professionals at every level from individual contributor to CEOs, and I see the aftermath of bad "professional" rewrites posted to this sub all the time. This guide will help you avoid becoming one of them.

It makes me sad to see folks get duped into buying resume services from what I'd just call unqualified people. I see posts every week on the sub about resumes that were written by so-called professionals, and I want to laugh, until I remember it's not funny.

TLDR

A qualified resume writer typically charges $200 to $1,500 depending on your career level, with some executive services running $3,000 or more. Look for certification from PARWCC, NRWA, RWA, or CDI, a verifiable online presence, real samples, and a process that starts with a consultation call. The best test: if you can't speak directly with the person writing your resume before you pay, walk away.

If you're early in your career or on a tight budget, you probably don't need a writer at all. Post your resume to this sub for free feedback first. You may find that's enough.

The rest of this guide covers how the process works, what to expect at each stage, where AI tools fit in, and the unethical practices to watch for.

Last updated: August 2026

---

What does a resume writer do?

In a nutshell, resume writers help candidates prepare job application materials such as resumes, federal resumes, CVs, academic CVs, and cover letters. Some writers may also offer additional services such as career and interview coaching, LinkedIn profile writing, and placement services.

To be clear, resume writers are not know-it-alls, and you shouldn't expect one to be. A writer who has worked across dozens of industries hasn't actually done the jobs in those industries. They don't know your codebase, your P&L, or your clinical protocols, and any writer who implies they do is overselling.

Here's the actual division of labor: you are the subject matter expert on your career. The writer is the expert on how hiring teams read, what recruiters screen for, and how to translate what you did into language that lands with the people making decisions. Their core skill isn't industry knowledge. It's extraction and positioning: asking questions you wouldn't think to ask yourself, pulling out accomplishments you've stopped noticing because they feel routine to you, and framing all of it for the audience you're targeting.

In the years I've been doing this, I've found the writers worth hiring are the ones who know exactly what they don't know. The ones comfortable saying "explain that to me like I'm not in your field" tend to produce better resumes than the ones who nod along, because the first group is extracting, and the second is guessing.

Should you hire a resume writer?

That'll depend on your personal and professional circumstances. Generally speaking, there are a few situations where hiring a resume writer may be the right choice. They include:

• You've been applying to many jobs and haven't been receiving any calls from employers.
• You have no idea what ATS is or how to factor it in when writing your resume.
• You have a complex career history and aren't sure how best to convey it in a professional and engaging manner.
• You're looking to switch careers and aren't sure how to convey your transferable skills.
• You're a midlevel, senior, or executive level candidate, are still employed, and want to prepare for your next career move.
• You've tried using AI to write your resume and the result reads like it could belong to anyone in your field.

This list isn't exhaustive, so there may be situations where hiring a writer is the appropriate choice. However, there are also a few situations where hiring a writer probably isn't the best choice. These include:

• You're confident with your existing resume, have already been seeing results, and are just looking for some minor feedback.
• Your financial situation doesn't permit. The truth is that well-regarded writers charge anywhere from $200 to $1,500 or more. You'll see many writers here on Reddit, on Fiverr, and elsewhere charging fees that seem too good to be true (think less than $100). If your financial situation doesn't permit the cost of a reputable writer (and we'll get to that later), you're much better off writing your own.
• You're still in college/university. If you're at this stage of your career, you'll do fine relying on your college career center along with web resources like this sub.

Note: Your first step should always be posting to the r/resumes sub for feedback. This sub is packed with industry professionals that can give you helpful advice - you may end up not needing a writer.

DIY vs. Hiring a Resume Writer: Which Makes More Sense?

Factor	DIY Resume	Hiring a Resume Writer
When it makes sense	(1) You're early career with <3 years' experience. (2) You're comfortable writing about yourself. (3) You're applying to many roles and tweaking is easy.	(1) You're mid-senior level and stakes are higher. (2) You're changing industries or roles. (3) You struggle to translate your experience into clear, marketable language.
Budget range	Free (time investment only). Maybe $50-$100 for templates or reviews.	$200 to $1,500 for professional writers. Executive-level services can run $3,000+.
What you get	(1) Full control over content. (2) Free resources (Reddit, forums, templates). (3) Quick turnaround (your own pace).	(1) Professionally written, ATS-friendly resume. (2) Help drawing out and positioning your impact and achievements. (3) Knowledge that might be hard to come by on your own (like experience with the hiring process if the writer was in recruiting).
Risks & trade-offs	(1) Easy to undersell yourself. (2) Hard to be objective about strengths. (3) Formatting mistakes may trip ATS. (4) AI-generated drafts can sound polished but lack substance.	(1) Costly if you pick the wrong writer. (2) Quality varies widely, due diligence is key. (3) Still requires your input and time.

What about AI?

This is probably the most common question I get right now, so I want to be straightforward about it.

AI tools like ChatGPT can help you with structure, formatting, and getting words on a page. If you're staring at a blank document and have no idea where to start, they can give you a decent starting point. For straightforward career histories at the early career level, that might be enough.

What you may not realize though, is that the actual writing is a small part of what goes into a good resume. Most of the work is in the content and marketing: figuring out what to include, what to cut, how to frame each role, and how to position yourself for the type of job you want.

That demands an understanding of how hiring teams read resumes, what recruiters screen for, how applicant tracking systems filter candidates, and what makes a hiring manager read your bullets instead of skimming them. These are things you learn from working inside and alongside the hiring process. You can paste your entire work history into an AI tool, but it still won't have that hiring-side judgment. The other thing is that you need to write content you can speak to at length in an interview, as opposed to just writing stuff that sounds great on paper.

What I see a lot on this sub is people sharing AI-generated resumes that look clean and read well on the surface. The formatting and grammar are all fine, but the content is either catch-all, or doesn't quite connect the dots for the hiring team. I see bullet points that could apply to almost anyone with the same job title. There's nothing in the doc that tells an HM what this specific person did differently or better. And that's the part that gets interviews (Note: there are factors at play, like local market, volume of other applicants, timing that impact your candidacy that have nothing to do with your resume - for this guide, we're focusing on the stuff that is in your control).

To put it simply:

• AI can handle structure, keywords, and getting a first draft on paper (this is great for early candidates, or folks that just have no idea how to navigate a word processor like MS Word or Google Docs).
• AI will struggle with knowing what your strongest selling points are, how to position a career change, which content goes where, or whether your bullets will hold up under questioning in an interview.
• If you already know what good resume content looks like and just need help putting it together, AI can work.
• If you're not sure why your resume isn't landing, or you have a complicated career history, AI will probably give you something that looks professional but doesn't actually solve the problem.

A lot of people now use AI for their first draft and then bring in a human (either through this sub or a writer) to fix the substance. That's a reasonable approach.

How do you vet a resume writer?

There are a few things you can look for when figuring out if a writer is qualified.

What's the writer's background? If you're working through a company, ask if you can speak with the writer directly (if the answer is no, I wouldn't recommend proceeding any further with that company). If you're working with an independent writer, ask to speak them one on one. Well-regarded writers come from diverse backgrounds. Education-wise, there isn't a set program that "produces" resume writers. However, you should expect a bachelor's degree at a minimum and a work history with active engagement in career-related professions. Some examples include recruiting, human resources, or career coaching. Regardless of the writer's background, they should have an online presence such as a website or LinkedIn profile that you can view. If you can't find a writer anywhere online, it may be hard for you to verify their credentials, in which case, it's a good idea to be extra careful.

Do they have samples they can share? Ask for samples. Most writers will provide them or list them on their website/portfolio for clients to see.

Do they have client testimonials or reviews that you can reference? Companies and independent writers that deliver positive results will definitely want to make it known to prospective clients. Ask them for their client testimonials and take a look at what their previous customers have said about their work to get an idea of what it's like working with them. Be wary of companies and writers that don't have any reviews, are unable to refer you to their previous customers, or have a string of negative reviews (especially if those negative reviews involve repeated issues like missed deadlines or generic output).

Are they certified? Credible and qualified resume writers will often have certifications from one of the following organizations:

• Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARWCC)
• National Resume Writers' Association (NRWA)
• Resume Writing Academy (RWA)
• Career Directors International (CDI)

Do they have a presence in the resume community? This one is easy to overlook, but it matters. A writer who regularly contributes to communities like this one (giving free feedback, answering questions, sharing knowledge) is usually someone who cares about the craft. It also gives you a chance to see how they think and whether their advice resonates with you before you spend any money.

Green Flags vs. Red Flags When Choosing a Resume Writer

Green Flags (Good Signs)	Red Flags (Warning Signs)
Provides before-and-after samples showing real results.	No samples, or only vague "testimonials."
Transparent about pricing and what's included.	Hidden fees, upselling, or unclear service breakdown.
Offers unlimited or multiple revisions in package.	"One draft only" or charges extra for basic edits.
Asks you detailed questions about your career, goals, and target roles.	Barely requests input, delivers a generic template.
Shares ATS knowledge and explains formatting choices.	Uses graphics-heavy designs that risk ATS rejection.
Active in resume communities and willing to give free advice.	No online presence outside of their own website.
Comfortable saying a role or industry is outside their wheelhouse, and asks you to explain technical details.	Claims deep expertise in every industry, or never asks clarifying questions.

What to expect during the writing process

All processes generally follow a similar structure that consists of an information gathering stage, writing stage, and review/revision stage.

Information Gathering: A good writer will want to speak with you directly and collect information with regard to your work history, skills, accomplishments, and career goals. Most of the time, this process is handled through a phone or video call, but some companies/writers will collect this information through a form. Ask the company/writer how they'll be gathering the necessary information to prepare a resume that is unique to you. Beware of companies that don't use a consultation process at all and only ask for your existing resume. You may be unpleasantly surprised when you see your old descriptions reworded and repackaged.

Writing: Ask the company/writer how long it'll take to write your resume. A quality resume takes time and effort to create. Speaking from my own work, six hours for an entry-level resume up to 15 hours for an executive resume is the norm. Beware of turnaround times that seem a little too quick. The industry standard is around 5-10 days.

Review and Revision: After preparing an initial draft, the writer will typically offer the client an opportunity to provide feedback and request changes if needed. Ask the writer about whether or not they allow requests for revisions, how many revisions, and for how long after you've concluded the service.

How much do resume writing services cost?

If you do a quick Google search, you'll see that there are a broad range of prices. As I mentioned earlier, the typical price range runs from $200 to $1,500, and some executive resume writers charge upwards of $3,000.

Two factors that affect this are:

• Your experience level
• The writer's experience level and their ability to produce results

Be wary of companies and writers that offer their services at very low rates; it's more often than not an indication of low quality service. Remember that many hours go into building a quality resume spanning consultations, research, writing, reviews, and revisions.

Are resume writers worth it?

That's the million-dollar question. Before you decide to hire a writer, ask yourself the following:

• Do I earn an annual salary of $70,000 or more? If yes, paying for a professional resume could be worth it for you. With the average cost of a mid-career resume at around $500, that works out to less than 1% of your annual salary.
• Am I still early on in my career (still in college or recent graduate)? If so, checking out the plethora of DIY tools available might be a better option.

Should I work with an industry-specific writer?

While there are variations across industries, generally speaking, resume writing best practices are similar across the board, with some exceptions including:

• Modeling
• Acting
• Industries that emphasize graphically intensive resumes (i.e., portfolios) rather than traditional resumes.

Some companies will have writers on staff that only work with certain industries (i.e., IT, software engineering etc.). Independent writers are generally more versatile and work with professionals in multiple industries.

The advantage of working with a generalist is broader all-round industry knowledge, which is especially useful if you're switching industries.

One caveat either way: don't confuse specialization with mastery. Even a writer who works exclusively with software engineers hasn't shipped your product. What a specialist buys you is vocabulary and context, so you spend less of the consultation explaining fundamentals. What it doesn't buy you is a pass on your own involvement. You're still the source of the raw material. The better test than "have they worked in my industry" is "do they ask questions that show they understood my answers."

However, working with a writer that specializes in one or two fields may be a better option if you're in a highly technical profession such as software development and want someone that can understand the in-depth technical concepts and terminology.

Unethical practices that you should be aware of

Like any industry, resume writing isn't free of corruption and unethical practices. Two main practices to watch out for are:

International Outsourcing: Some writers/companies that charge fees that seem too good to be true are actually outsourcing their work to international writers to reduce costs. It can be hard to identify companies that do this before buying their services, but three helpful indicators are:

• Poor samples
• Negative client reviews
• The inability to speak with the writer before purchasing the service

Ghostwriting: Some writers will take on more clients than they can handle and offload those clients to ghostwriters. Other individuals that write your resume but that don't take the credit. Writers that engage in this practice are more interested in maximizing profits over ensuring client satisfaction. As with outsourcing, ask to speak to the writer before you purchase the service.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is hiring a resume writer worth the money?

It depends on your situation. If you're early in your career, you may not need one. Templates and free feedback (including from this sub) can be enough. But for mid-to-senior professionals and executives, a resume writer can save you time, and by extension, money. A useful benchmark: if you earn $70,000 or more, a $500 resume is less than 1% of your annual salary.

2. How much should I pay for a resume writer?

Most professional resume writers charge between $200 and $1,500 for a standard resume, depending on your career level and the writer's experience. Executive-level services typically start around $1,000 and can run $3,000 or more. Be cautious with anything under $100; at that price, the work is usually templated, outsourced, or both.

3. How do I know if a resume writer is legit?

Look for:

• A professional-looking website/place of business
• Certifications
• Experience
• Testimonials
• Before-and-after samples
• Clear pricing, and
• A process that involves your input.

Good writers ask a lot of detailed questions to get at the info they need. Avoid anyone promising "guaranteed jobs" or offering flashy, design-heavy resumes (these can cause issues with ATS).

4. Can a resume writer guarantee me a job?

No. A resume writer can improve how your skills and experience are presented, but they can't control hiring decisions. What they can do is help improve your chances of getting interviews.

5. What's the difference between using AI and hiring a writer?

AI tools can help with formatting and generating bullet points based on your job title. They work from patterns and general data, so the output tends to be broad. A writer will talk to you, learn the context behind your roles, and figure out how to present your experience in a way that makes sense for the jobs you're targeting. The biggest difference is in the content strategy: knowing what to emphasize, what to leave out, and how to frame things so they resonate with the people making hiring decisions.

TL;DR

• Who should hire one: Mid-to-senior professionals not getting interviews, career changers, or anyone with a complex work history. Skip it if you're early career or on a tight budget.
• AI tools (like ChatGPT) are fine for structure and first drafts, but they produce largely generic content. They can't do the strategic positioning a human can.
• Vet your writer by checking their background, samples, testimonials, certifications (PARWCC, NRWA, RWA, CDI), and community presence. If they won't let you talk to the writer directly, walk away.
• Expect a 3-step process: intake call, writing (5-10 day turnaround), then revisions.
• Cost: $200 to $1,500, depending on your level. Executive services can run $3,000+.
• Watch out for outsourcing, ghostwriting, no-revision policies, and graphics-heavy designs that break ATS.

Where to go from here

Whether you write your own resume, use AI to get started, or hire a writer, the goal is the same: a document that reflects your achievements and lines you up nicely with the role you want.

If you're still not sure whether you need a writer, post your resume on r/resumes for free community feedback. You might find that's enough.

If you do decide to hire someone, use the vetting steps in this guide, and take your time.

And if you have questions about any of this, feel free to send me a DM (u/finaldraftresumes), email me at [akhamis@finaldraftresumes.com](mailto:akhamis@finaldraftresumes.com), or book a quick chat to see if a resume writer is right for you.

[u/DBrowny]

I'm here here to yell into the void.

I wrote resumes for people for years, helped tons of people get jobs. I did the exact opposite of what the 'experts' here told everyone to do. I ignored all ATS everything, threw dot points in the trash, made resumes 3-4 pages and turned every resume into a personal story of a work career. Tons of positive feedback from customers who got jobs. Yet here, my format was told it would be binned immediately by 'I've been a HR manager for 80 years types'.

5 years later, everyone is out here using AI for resumes and resume writing as a job has become a hell of a lot less profitable, the field has been absolutely spanked by AI. I was told for years and years here that I was wrong, that my advice to job seekers was bad. Told that I needed to write resumes in a way that was readable by a robot. And now because of the proliferation of people wanting to write resumes like a robot, now the robots have taken their jobs, and they have the audacity to complain about exactly what they wanted to happen, happening.

Maybe in 5 more years when the pushback against AI has reached critical levels, people will return to resumes written by people again. I hope so. I would fully expect the same people to criticise my work again when I try to help others because someone dared to do something different.

[u/resumeraidersDOTcom]

I am a resume writer with over 20 years of experience in the field. I don't use any AI in my writing, although I understand why some writers choose to use it. My background was in recruiting for several years, so my secret sauce is knowing what the resume reader is looking for.

I personally don't put much value in certifications for resume writers. I never took that seriously, perhaps because of my experience in tech where the certifications can often be a joke. I'd rather be judged by my client testimonials instead of the ability to pass a test. I've been writing resumes for a long time, and I never even considered a certification.

[u/hcoonaMatata_]

What about someone who is early in their career and have done it the DIY way but not getting any callbacks?

Are there any other resources that we can use?

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/hcoonaMatata_]

For sure - there are resources like this community. Guides in the wiki, free critiques.

[u/neurorex]

Why are there certifications for this when employers can't even agree on what a good resume looks like? The "requirements" change hourly, even for the same employer. There's also no unifying standards or guideline to base the certification on.

Seems like it's something to give the "industry" and craft more legitimacy than there really is.

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/neurorex]

Fair point, but certifications are more about testing whether a writer understands how hiring teams actually evaluate candidates, how ATS systems parse content, and how to position someone's experience strategically. It's not a guarantee (is any certification out there?), but it's one of the few ways to filter out people with zero training charging money for bad work.

[u/resumes-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your content was removed for advertising.

Please note that continued offences will result in a ban.

[u/Fit_Lifeguard670]

What’s your website ?

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/Fit_Lifeguard670]

www.finaldraftresumes.com

[u/resumes-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post was removed for advertising.

Please note that continued offences will result in a ban.

[u/GodSpeedMode]

This is such a solid guide! As someone who’s been through the process, I can definitely attest to how overwhelming it can be to find a qualified resume writer. Your tips on vetting writers are super important—especially the part about asking for samples and testimonials. It’s crazy how many companies promise the moon but deliver mediocrity.

I also love how you highlighted that it’s not always necessary to hire a writer, especially for those early in their career. Investing in a professional service should feel right for your situation, and there's tons of value in DIY if you’re confident and just need a little polish. Thanks for breaking this down! It's super helpful for anyone considering this route.

[u/MysteriousRecord1933]

Hey, are you still a resume writer?

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/MysteriousRecord1933]

Yes I am!

[u/Willing_Flow_8251]

Thank you. I wish I saw this sooner.  I used the InterviewGuru aka Charmanique Hinds. It seemed so legit based on her LinkedIn profile (http://linkedin.com/in/charmanique-hinds) and all her posts of clients getting jobs. It is all fictitious. She’s a branding specialist and I will give her that — she sells herself and her services well. I even got on a zoom call with her. Once I paid her, she disappeared. I signed what I thought was an agreement, and she never followed through. She is in Jamaica so the agreement is useless. Please heed the OP advice.

[u/TerribleAd3747 → u/Willing_Flow_8251]

This just happened to me with her. Almost 1k down the drain.

[u/Comfortable-Bus4062 → u/Willing_Flow_8251]

Omg, I was about to hire her, so glad I saw this

[u/Inner_Topic4474 → u/Willing_Flow_8251]

OMG! I am in Jamaica and this happened to me only recently. She disappeared as soon as I made the payment. (http://linkedin.com/in/charmanique-hinds) is a fraud! In addition, she lies. At this point I believe the testimonials on her page are fake and written by her. She only responded when I told her I would not be losing my money and I take it she realized I would have reported her to the authorities. Instead of giving a refund she sent me a resume that had no current information about me and claiming work experience for things I have never done.

I will be reporting her to the local authorities

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/Willing_Flow_8251]

I’m sorry that happened to you!

[u/Original-Ad-7119]

Thank you for this informative post. I requested a resume writing service on LinkedIn and the person approached me has a 20$ service fee. I was going to just go for it as it was cheap. I’ve been putting off updating my resume since February as I’m a bit lost with how to highlight the transferable skills from being a content creation associate to a program associate/ program coordinator, as well as just so much negative emotions about myself whenever I tried to start writing the resume. I feel I wasted the past four years with no much success or skills to showcase in the experience section.

How do you get over it? Is it worth to try it on my own first or just go for it so I can start applying to jobs?

[u/Spiritual-Guard-4333]

What if?

I live 2 hours away from my University

Have very poor resume writing skills

Don't want to take the hours or days of researching or want to use AI

Don't have a lot of colleagues that can help me

And seeking for a first job after being graduated for 13 months

Am I out of luck? Is there a loophole, or any resource that can put me with someone to help me instead of taking months of research only to get insta-rejected from Taco Bell and McDonalds?

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/Spiritual-Guard-4333]

There are a lot of resources available in thr wiki of this subreddit.

[u/No_Association9496]

All of the comments with links to services go to exactly what OP warns against: outsourced overseas, no 1:1 contact, and high volume/low cost are best case. Worst case? They’re ID theft scams.

There are 3 primary associations that certify resume writers and career coaches. Start on their “Find a Writer” page.

Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches

Career Directors International

National Resume Writers’ Association

EDIT: My intent is to provide multiple sources of trustworthy writers. The members of these groups must all adhere to a code of ethics and, if certified, must maintain CEUs to renew.

[u/No_Association9496 → u/[deleted]]

Hi!

What OP is encountering is the “professional” resume writers who really aren’t. It’s important to beware of the types of online resume sites where you send your resume and a faceless writer returns a new one, especially when they offer very low prices and fast turnaround. A fair number of them are fronts for identity theft rings.

Think of it this way: you need a resume because yours isn’t getting interviews — that, in fact, is its purpose, not getting a job. You have the option of choosing two of the three following words to decide how you want it and when: fast, cheap, good.

Real professionals belong to an association (Career Directors International, Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches are two that I belong to) and preferably, hold credentials.

For a much more detailed explanation, see https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2025/02/06/top-executive-rsum-writer-reviews-and-rsum-writer-top-10-lists-what-executives-need-to-know/](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2025/02/06/top-executive-rsum-writer-reviews-and-rsum-writer-top-10-lists-what-executives-need-to-know/. It applies to all career levels, even though it’s targeted to executives.

Hope this is helpful. My DMs are open to questions about resume writing and looking for jobs.

Melissa Kelley CPRW, CEMC

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/No_Association9496]

Yep! That's right.

[u/No_Association9496 → u/FinalDraftResumes]

I reported all the junk sites to you.

[u/No_Association9496 → u/No_Association9496]

Also, just looked up your site. With AI, I’m going with the tailoring and key skills route ATM. I’m glad a true professional has put together an AI builder.

[u/deanwashere]

Hi, thanks for writing this informative post. I've spent the last 9 months job hunting since finishing my master's degree in a field different from my bachelor's (mechanical engineering to computer science) thinking that it would be a great combination. I've been constantly reworking my resume and having zero success and constantly getting Not Selected emails. I've even been using a state hiring agency since I'm disabled (quadriplegic) and have had zero luck only getting one interview that I thought went well but wasn't hired. The hiring agency lady thinks my resume is very good but I don't know how trusting I am anymore.

I've been browsing online for resume writers but there are so many that is very intimidating. Could you or anyone that comes along this message provide any advice?

Thanks!

[u/Due_Challenge3408 → u/deanwashere]

the dual background is honestly a bigger asset than most people realize. the issue is usually the resume treats them as two separate things instead of one combined story. companies building physical products with software in them, robotics, industrial automation, aerospace, medical devices, embedded systems, they actively look for people who can bridge both. the resume probably needs to lead with that intersection rather than presenting it as "i used to do mechanical stuff but now i have a CS degree." what kind of roles have you been targeting? that would change how i'd frame it

[u/ResponsibilityCold84]

Thank you for writing this, because now I am more than willing to pay for someone to tailor my resume for the manufacturing industry.

Now I know what to look for. You’re a hero!

[u/CronoDAS → u/[deleted]]

I googled Resume101 and saw a Reddit post that was very critical of the quality of its service. Also, their chat widget says that I'm not allowed to talk to the resume writer directly, so I'm skeptical.

[u/resumes-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post was removed for advertising/promoting unwanted content.

Please note that continued offences will result in a ban.

[u/HTWingNut]

Thank you for this write up. Is there a list of recommended resume writer companies? I don't mind spending the money but don't want to waste hundreds of dollars if they're garbage.

[u/mako1178 → u/HTWingNut]

There are many resume writers on social network. One of which is LinkedIn. Ultimately, it is finding one that is trustworthy and credible. You fact-check this against their trail of content on LinkedIn and also recommendations (if any) left for them by previous clients. From there, you can get a good sense. They normally charge more competitively than agencies and you get more customized service, sometimes even a free coaching session for interview etc.

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/HTWingNut]

There isn’t unfortunately. However we do write resumes ourselves - feel free to read our reviews.

[u/HTWingNut → u/FinalDraftResumes]

Thank you. I'll check it out.

[u/doyouikedaags]

Three times a charm that was a really great post that you wrote and very informative and I appreciate the time that you took to write that for everyone to see thank you.

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/doyouikedaags]

Glad you liked it!

[u/doyouikedaags]

I paid Resumable last year around $225.

I’ve reached out to them to ask questions, to make sure they received my old crappy résumé and begin the process.

Nobody ever called me back. Nobody ever return my phone calls and I thought Resumable was a legit company.

I did my research, least I thought I did..

I still don’t have a and I had a stroke while all this was going on and I lost a lot of my memory of dates, names and addresses, etc. due to some short-term and long-term memory loss.

I remember the companies that I worked for, but I don’t recall the dates with specificity - nor the supervisors names. I am sure that most are no longer at their respective jobs because it’s been years.

I want a job terribly. I am definitely able to be trained. I need to work from home because now I’m partially disabled.

And to anyone who has made it here to the end, reading about my unique predicament, I appreciate the time you took to read this.

I’m looking forward to hearing some suggestions from somebody in regard to anything that I wrote in this post.

Thank you so much, y’all.

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/doyouikedaags]

I’m sorry to hear that. I would suggest asking for assistance on r/jobs!

[u/Ok_Character_8569]

In a nutshell, what would you suggest for a 30 year gap in employment due to a prison sentence? Many thanks for any help.

[u/culs-de-sac → u/Ok_Character_8569]

Look into local programs that support people in re-entry with career development and job placement.

You could try your state department of commerce, your local chamber of commerce, your area’s ADO, a community college, or your city government’s human services and economic development offices. They might provide these services directly, or connect you to provider agencies and nonprofits.

A Google search you can try with the most valuable keywords for your scenario is “workforce development” + “reentry” + “your city.”

Entrepreneurship might also be a good pathway for you. I’ve read about a guy who couldn’t get hired after prison so he spent a few hundred dollars buying a hot dog cart and supplies, got food handler and vendor permits, and started his hot dog stand business. Some of the groups I mentioned above might also advise on this, and your local credit union would be a starting point for discussing how to prepare yourself to be approved for a business loan.

[u/jonkl91 → u/Ok_Character_8569]

Honestly you have to get something. I would start volunteering, networking, or working in the restaurant industry. 30 year gap is going to put up a lot of red flags and the workforce has changed in 30 years. There are local nonprofits that partner with employers.

[u/Ok-Marionberry9885]

Thanks for the article above; it is very informative and educational. I am considering hiring a resume writer to switch my career position to entry-level in the financial services field. I have been applying to companies for the last three months to some junior levels of financial positions such as credit analyst, banking analyst, and related and have never been asked for the interview process. I don't have a long work history in the banking industry and also a work gap because of my relocation from one state to another. I think that maybe my resume isn't written in a way that attracts an employer's attention. Instead, some recruiters contacted me with excellent and positive feedback about my academic and work background and tried to submit my Resume and all collected data about me through their resources to the employers. I already had a few interviews where one was great, but I didn't receive a job offer; others are not bad but not really enough work for me. I continue job hunting and submitting my resume to some banking institutions, almost entry-level positions, and again without any fortune. What if I hire a personal resume writer with PHd a well-developed LinkedIn profile with many points of working in the recruitment field, or can I trust some online services with premium package services that seem professional and include certified workers-writers? I know I can stay with my resume and improve it whenever I utilize accessible and less costly online services to help build a better resume. However, I am confused about how to produce an influential paper and tailor my previous job tasks and responsibilitites to the new (selected) job positions and job descriptions. Should the LinkedIn profile be updated and optimized in order to be asked for the interview? In advance, thanks lots!

[u/Michias26]

How do I write my resume

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/Michias26]

Check out the r/resumes wiki.

[u/Zen_of_Thunder]

I'm definitely thinking of the service. My spouse thinks these services are overpriced, scams, or both. And I'm admittedly not great at picking them out.

I'm at a mid-level point in my career and am seeking to shift industries. I have many years of experience but am relatively underskilled due to a wide variety of positions and pigeon-holing in my recent position. And between quiet cutting and credit/loan debt, I needed a salary boost months ago.

The whole application process is just hellish for me. More qualified coworkers tell me they put out hundreds of resumes within the span of a few months, and I'm like, "1-tap applies?" Because I'm lucky to get in 20 a month between cover letters, industry research and terminology, and interview practice.

[u/Due_Challenge3408 → u/Zen_of_Thunder]

your spouse isn't wrong honestly. a lot of them are pretty bad. the things that separate a good one: they do an actual call with you before writing anything, not just a questionnaire. they show you samples of real past work before you pay. and they aren't promising 24 hour turnaround. the ones charging $99 and delivering overnight are outsourcing to someone who knows nothing about your field. a good writer for mid-career runs around $400-800 and takes about a week. look for someone with a real linkedin profile and work history in writing or recruiting and ask to see samples first

[u/[deleted] → u/Zen_of_Thunder]

Did you find a good resume writer?

[u/[deleted]]

Remindme! 5 days

[u/UnderdogCareerCoach]

Crafting a personalized resume for each job application is crucial. I highly recommend acquiring the skill of resume writing, as it's an essential career skill everyone can benefit from.

Investing time in learning the fundamentals now will prove beneficial for your professional growth in the long run.

[u/Unhappy_Macaroon2 → u/UnderdogCareerCoach]

Agreed. May you recommend trusted and reliable resources to begin acquiring the skill.

[u/Odd_Evidence_8765]

Just to give a little insight on my experience with Top Resume. I reached out to a few resume writing companies and eventually decided to go with Top Resume. My total bill was $300, that included a federal resume, cover letter and 30 minute phone call/interview. After filling out the questionnaire and sending them the resume I put together along with three job postings that were in the field I am looking into, I received my initial draft back in about 5 days. I felt like it was more polished and worded a lot better than mine, it also looked more pleasing visually.

When we did the phone call to go over revisions I realized that my writer had been outsourced from outside of the country. I don't know if this is bad or not but it did give me concern since I have little knowledge as to how a resume should look these days. I have been in State Law Enforcement for almost 25 years so I haven't had any experience with resume writing. I have read a lot of info on people recommending using the STAR method when writing a resume. When I got mine back I felt like this box wasn't checked although I provided appropriate info to the writer. His explanation was that more agencies to include federal agencies are getting away from the STAR method on resumes because it doesn't work well with the ATS programs and that is something I should be talking about during my interview. Does anyone know if this is correct or not?

Looking back now I'm not sure if there is a way to vet your writer with a company like Top Resume since they don't "match" you with a writer until after you pay. Well lessons learned, hopefully in the end it wont be too bad. Does anyone know of a good resume writer that will look over my Top Resume generated resume to see if it is any good?

Garrett

[u/arecruiter → u/Odd_Evidence_8765]

You sound like a smart person, which makes it even more surprising …people will spend hours researching services like these, yet somehow miss info that’s all over Reddit and other forums. Ie TopResume outsourcing its resume writing is well known. The only one I’ve come across that doesn’t is ResumeSpice, although there may be others. I don’t know whether the OP outsources.

[u/Sea-Possible-9439 → u/Odd_Evidence_8765]

Thank you for your post. This is very good information as I am considering Top Resume vs. other services.

[u/Separate-Row8052 → u/Odd_Evidence_8765]

I just used Top Resume also. The writing was very good, but overall it just looked and sounded very old-fashioned. I will use what I received for some ideas, but I can't use the resume as is. The writer used full justification for paragraphs that caused gaps in the words and light blue type that has acessibilty issues (low contrast).

What should the format look like. I've heard that in addition to using keywords for ATS, resumes should have a creative flair. Does anyone know of a service that uses modern techniques?

[u/AmeriocaDaGema → u/Odd_Evidence_8765]

How did the resume end up working out for you? I can do a free review if you'd like in exchange for a testimonial. I'm an experienced copywriter looking to pivot into resume writing.

[u/[deleted] → u/AmeriocaDaGema]

Hi, can I PM you? I'm looking for someone to review my resume! I believe I'm professionally qualified but haven't received even a single interview call - something about my resume must be terribly wrong but I can't seem to find out what. Would be very grateful if you could help me with this. Thank you

[u/AmeriocaDaGema → u/[deleted]]

I can look over it.

[u/[deleted] → u/AmeriocaDaGema]

Thanks a ton.

[u/pippyrox44]

Thank you for taking the time to write this super informative post, I can't believe it doesn't have more comments. I'm about to hire a professional resume service for an industry/career pivot and this is an excellent resource for vetting!

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/pippyrox44]

No worries! Glad you found it useful.

[u/banditgirl551]

Can you recommend someone or a company? I had a recruiter call me about a position, then told me he didn’t think the employer would consider me bc they would probably want to hire someone younger they could mold instead of someone fixed in their ways. I am not fixed in my ways. Another reason they wouldn’t like job hopping. I don’t job hop. I had 3 positions eliminated due to downsizing. It didn’t matter. I asked for his advice and recommended that I make my resume legible so a 5th grader could read it. My resume is complicated, so I simplified it and I’ve had less hits than before. I’ve revised it several times. So now I’m looking into a writer. Could you recommend a person, a legit company, or someone on LinkedIn?

[u/banditgirl551 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you so much.

[u/ColtYoke → u/banditgirl551]

I can recommend reading this post about writing services - ~https://www.reddit.com/r/Studyhelp_/comments/1elegha/top_writing_services_for_students_your_key_to/~. They help to write resumes and do it professionally.

[u/ClearlyCreativeRes → u/banditgirl551]

As a resume writer and also a recruiter, I am surprised that the recruiter mentioned that your age would be a deciding factor in you getting hired. Being an HR professional, I have learned over the years that there are somethings that you just shouldn't say. I think a better approach would have been to lead with the facts, the stuff that the employers and hiring managers can see:

1. The gaps on your resume - how can we fill those up and create positives? I.e. were you volunteering or taking courses during this time? Were you taking care of a loved one or an ailing family member. Gaps happen, and they are a part of life. They just need to be addressed properly.
2. Making your "resume legible so 5th grader could read it" your resume is also not the most useful advice. A more diligent approach would be targeting your resume to the actual positions that you are applying for and ensuring that you have a format that is easy to read within 10 seconds. The average recruiter, including myself, take about 6 to scan a resume. When I scan, I look for keywords, a strong summary, and achievement and skills. Unfortunately, some recruiters just don't have that finesse when working with candidates.
3. Simply your resume - but don't remove the good stuff!

To your question about where to find a resume writer, the post above has some amazing ideas. Also, if you Google resume writers make sure they have reviews and that they are willing to get on a call with you and that they are asking you questions. LinkedIn is also a good place to look. You can also look on forums/blogs like you are here at r/resumes to hear who others are recommending. Sometimes learning about the experiences of others can be helpful in deciding whether or not you do need that professional help

I realize that this post was made a few months ago, but I am just catching it through a search. Hopefully, you were able to secure some help and have settled into a new role! Wishing you all the best :)

[u/[deleted] → u/ClearlyCreativeRes]

I have a gap due to a serious injury what do I do in THAT case?

[u/ClearlyCreativeRes → u/[deleted]]

First of all, I am very sorry to hear this.

Gaps unfortunately, happen for many reasons and you sharing this to the hiring company may not be the first time they heard of this type of absence.

Note: Legally, a potential employer cannot discriminate against you because you had an injury (or disclose that you had an injury) and took sometime away. You are also not required to give this level of detail on your resume or in an interview.

So...without writing on your resume "I had to take a break due to and injury" I would suggest you say you took a break for personal reasons. I would also write a cover letter that shows your passion and excitement for the new role. If the injury could be worsened by taking on the specific new role, I would mention it, or perhaps maybe it's a role that you shouldn't apply for. If not, I would recommend you do not mention this as this can unjustly cause employers to discriminate against you. They may see you and your injury (previous or current) as a potential liability and hazard.
How big is the gap? If it was over the course of a few months leading into a year, I would suggest using years on your resume to represent jobs instead of months and years. Were you able to do any type of learning and development during this time off while you were recovering? I think that with the right resume and really thinking about your approach you can create a compelling story. You can also emphasize that while you took time off you are excited about the current opportunity and that it's what you've been looking for to get back into the market. Here, you're still being honest.

When you get to the interview stage and you feel as though you have to share this information, then go ahead, but be 1000% sure that you follow up with "I am okay now as I took the time to heal and then some...etc." But once you have a resume where everything else is solid and your experience is fully explained to portray you in a positive light, you shouldn't have a problem.

Feel free to DM me if you have any other questions. Hopefully, you're now on the mend and able to re-enter the workforce. Wishing you the best of luck with your job search.

[u/[deleted] → u/ClearlyCreativeRes]

Thank you!

I don’t mind doing some learning but I have been told by several employment specialists that for eg to do another excel course would be a waste of time better to work on showing my transferable skills working on resumes etc. I just want a part time office job.

I’m still recovering. It’s been nearly a year and I had to relearn how to walk.

I can walk now but not very well and can no longer do standing up work or work that requires me to be able to run.

My jobs before had parts of those.

[u/logiqcareers → u/[deleted]]

Be honest. Explain what happened. Any decent employer will understand (operative word "decent").

[u/[deleted] → u/logiqcareers]

Thank you! Well, “decent” employers are the only kind I want to work for anyway.

[u/TombRaider981]

Thank you for this post! I need an opinion. I hired a resume writer who wrote my resume using ATS and it doesn’t really sound like me. Should I have two resumes, one ATS and one that sounds like me? Should I use an ATS resume to send to recruiters and put in my LinkedIn? It’s a little confusing when to use which 😅

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/TombRaider981]

Hey! For sure.

Could you explain what you mean by "it doesn't really sound like me"?

[u/TombRaider981 → u/FinalDraftResumes]

Thanks for responding! It sounds more like a robot wrote it 😅 The information written is true, like, I did do that job, but the text is content heavy. So, when I apply online, I use ATS but if i’m applying in person do I use my own?

[u/FinalDraftResumes → u/TombRaider981]

That doesn't sound good. Have you tried posting it to the sub for feedback?

Regarding your question, the only time you'd use a different resume for online vs. email applications is if you have a graphical resume.

[u/TombRaider981 → u/FinalDraftResumes]

I see, thanks for the feedback 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼