You charge HOW MUCH to write a résumé?

We were sitting around the other day discussing whether or not a job seeker should pay a professional to write their résumé? The best answer we could come up with is, it depends. Obviously some people are better than others at expressing themselves on paper. However, if you are going to have a professional write your resume it should be job and education appropriate. “Cultivated profitable relationships at the executive level by exceeding expected service requirements which led to repeat business” on the résumé of someone who served guys in business suits lunch, may be a little excessive. There is also a real good chance the waiter or waitress using a line like that in a résumé probably doesn’t sound like that during a regular conversation.

It is really important that a person take ownership of the words and language style of their résumé. We all want to sound professional but at the same time we don’t want to be misleading. A six figure executive may need help from a résumé writing professional to tighten up the flow of his or her résumé and give it the results based accomplishment lines needed to grab the reader’s attention. The Food Server on the other hand, needs to simply word it in such a way the reader can see the person applying knows their way around a restaurant, how to deal with the public under stressful conditions, and most importantly how to improve on the bottom line. Someone who is good at writing résumés can help you identify how you made, or saved a past employer, money.

Being able to write your own résumé is a wonderful skill and it is something I encourage everyone to try. If you know someone who is considered a good writer, have them critique your résumé while it is under construction. Search the internet for samples and really read them. Learn to identify good from bad.

If you are thinking about hiring a résumé writer remember it is buyer beware. Résumé writing fees are all over the board and you will not always get a very good resume for a $150.00. Then again, I have also seen some pretty bad résumés for $350.00. Shop around, talk to writers, find out about their style, ask to see samples of their work and be prepared to pay more than you think it will be.

Your comments are welcome.

Glen Slingerland Skills 101 / Job Development