Is Resume Service Worth The Cost?

By Jason Kay

You need a new resume. Whether youre a victim of the economy or employed somewhere that isnt an ideal fit, you know that a top-notch resume can help you secure a new job. Chances are pretty good that you arent a resume pro, but will a professional resume writing service really give you a return on your investment that makes it worth the cost? Below are some points to consider:

Is there a doctor in the house? Youd never try to treat a broken arm yourself just to save a few hundred bucks, would you? When it comes to resume writing, it helps to think of professional services as just thata professional service that you pay for, rather than trying to bumble your way through on your own. While resumes arent typically a life-and-death endeavor, the results have the potential to drastically alter your way of life for better or worse. The key, of course, is hunting down a stellar company.

Check the process. If youre going to hand over your hard-earned money for something that, quite frankly, youre not sure about in the first place, you need to know that youll be getting your moneys worth. Ask the company about their process: how do they collect your information? How do they ensure that your strengths will be showcased to your best advantage? Most companies take a two-pronged approacha questionnaire for you to fill out and then access to a live person via telephone. When youre scanning the list of questions to fill out or talking to your preparer, you want to have an oh moment. As in, Oh, I never thought of that.

Get certified. The person who sets your broken arm should have an MD behind her name. The person who produces your resume should have a CRW (certified resume writer) or a CERW (certified expert resume writer) behind her name. These certifications ensure that a resume service hasnt just plucked someone off the street and called him a professional. It demonstrates that the person who will build your new resume has been thoroughly trained in the best, most effective ways to highlight your skills and experience.

Investigate fair costs. Now were down to the nuts and bolts: money. Every service is different, of course, but a price tag of around $300 is normal for most resumes. Executive or extremely niched resumes may be a bit higher. Dont go bargain-basement on a resume service because, after all, you get what you pay for. You probably dont want to spend the money in the first place to have someone else write your resume, but you really dont want to spend $100 to get a piece of garbage that a fifth grader could have put together. Its much better to spend a few hundred dollars on a quality resume that will get the job done. Even better: many times job-seeking activities are tax deductible, so consult your financial professional to determine whether you can write off the cost of a resume service.

Sample before you buy. Theres no need to go on blind faith where resume services are concerned. They should be willing to show you samples of resumes and cover letters that theyve writtenand before and after resumes are even better. That way you can see how the firm has transformed something thats probably similar to what you have right now into something that youll be proud to send out.

Judge fairly. Too many job seekers think that a writing service has failed if they dont immediately land a job as a result of the new resume. The truth is that a great resume is an essential tool in your arsenal, but its not infallible. A thousand candidates for one job opening, a bad candidate-job fit, and poor interviewing skills are just a few of the reasons the perfect job may not materialize even with a new resume. The true test should be whether youre confident that the new-and-improved version will eventually lead to the right position.

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