Making the Most of Resume Consultants

Evaluate resume consulting services with caution

By Shalleen Mayes
In our ever-changing economy, resume consultants can help job-seekers put their best foot forward with resumes that accurately portray their skills, experience and potential. The best resume writing specialists can craft an expertly-written resume that will help a job applicant get noticed and hired. Some companies even provide cover letters and thank-you letters, as well as a list of the best prospective websites to target.

Like every business, however, the buyer should beware. One quick Internet search will yield long lists of resume consulting services. But all are not created equal. It's easy for a person with little experience to establish themselves as an expert in resume services, but true professional resume writing advisers will have the credentials, experience and success stories to back up their claims.

Here are some ways to evaluate resume consultants for your next job search.

1. Ask to see samples of successful resumes, and have the company explain why the resume succeeded in helping the client land a job.

2. Expect a resume service to use your information to create a resume from scratch, not with a template that is repeated with each customer.

3. Look for credentials, experience and professional affiliations from professional resume services.

 

Look for experience from resume writing advisers

Look for resume writing consultants with a four-year college degree, as well as services that have a 5-10 year track record of success on the Internet. Read sample resumes from the resume consultancy and look for membership in professional organizations.
Try: Your Best Impression has won multiple awards for their website services. Career Perfect's resume writers go through an extensive certification process.

Look for affiliations with resume consultancy associations

A professional resume writing service will have professional affiliations, and they'll be happy to promote that fact. Look for professional certification in resume writing to prove their expert status.
Try: Look for a member of the National Resume Writers' Association on their website. The Professional Association of Resume Writers can link you to a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) in your area, as well as other professionals who can help you along your career path.

Demand original ideas from resume writing services

Anyone can write a resume using a template, but the best resume writing services will design the best resume tailored for you from scratch. When making the most of resume consultants, look for companies that first go through an extensive interview process with the client before producing the resume.
Try: Resume Wizards conducts both an interview and a phone call with each client and takes the time to complete the resume to the client's satisfaction. The Resume Studio uses an in-person interview, telephone call or extensive questionnaire to craft a fresh resume for each client.

 

  • When evaluating a resume writing service, make sure the service emphasizes correct grammar and spelling. One telltale sign of a poor resume writing service are resumes that are rife with errors.
  • A resume preparation service can only work with the information they're given. Make sure you have complete, accurate information to provide the resume writer.