At NexGoal, we try to provide helpful resume-building tips to help you land the job of your dreams. But building a resume can be an intimidating and stressful process, especially if you’re new to the workforce, transitioning into a new industry, or simply don’t have the time to learn the finer points of resume building. You’ve got excellent skills and valuable experience, but you may not know how to express that on paper.

If you’re struggling to put together a competitive resume, it may be worth hiring a professional. Trained resume writers are gifted with industry knowledge and can assist job seekers with expertly defining their accomplishments on paper. When is it worth hiring an expert, and is it worth the cost? With data from the experts, we’ll provide an overview of resume writing services so that you can decide what’s best for you.

“Resume writers are trained professionals, with a multitude of years, experience, and industry know-how whom will be able to help you stand out and place your best foot forward. Additionally, many resume writers have a deep understanding of the internal mechanics which go-on once an application is submitted.” –Career Employer

Why hire a resume writer?

According to HR Dive, eye-tracking studies have revealed that recruiters only spend an average of 7.4 seconds looking at each resume. You only have a short amount of time to “pop”, and that’s assuming you get past any Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) in the first place.

Resume writers use their experience to make sure you pop in the eyes of recruiters and machines. They know what formats look good, how to utilize keywords, and can provide insider tips. Their skills as a writer mean they know how to turn a phrase. Joblist even notes that talking with a professional can even help you better define your strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Sometimes, just talking with the right person can produce insight into yourself.

Growth Hack Your Career provided study data showing a 32% increased success rate for those who used a professional writer. They believe that in addition to the tangible services provided, the biggest benefit of hiring a professional is having someone in your corner to give you relevant advice and encouragement.

Costs and credibility

The biggest obstacles in finding a professional resume writer are finding the right one and making sure they fit your budget. One of the biggest cons of hiring a resume writer is the often high costs.

Matt Glodz of Resume Pilots found that a professional writer can cost anywhere from $100 to $2000, while Career Sidekick found the average cost to be $527.

While cheaper options exist, you’ll always get what you pay for, and you’ll want to do your research first. Read reviews, and see if a writer is a member of a professional association like the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches or the National Résumé Writers’ Association, adds Matt Glodz.

You may be deterred by the high costs, especially if you’re freshly entering the workforce or don’t currently have a job. With so many recruiters sharing their experiences and advice out there, it’s never been easier to find ways to craft the best resume possible on your own. You don’t need a professional resume writer to find success. But perfecting your resume can take significant time and trial and error. Look at the cost/benefit analysis for your situation and decide whether consulting a pro is the right move or not.

Important notes

Hiring a resume writer can put you on the path to success, but it won’t be a guarantee to getting the job of your dreams. The process with your writer is a dialogue, and you’ll still need to put in your own work.

Your writer won’t immediately produce the perfect document. They’ll start with what you have and ask questions about your experiences and career goals. Thus, the better clarity you have on your goals and skills, the better document you’ll receive.

“If you want to do it right, it should be a partnership,” –Jennifer Smith, career coach

Once you have your resume, it still isn’t meant to be fired blindly at every job opening. The Muse reminds that even with a professionally made resume, you still need to tailor the resume to every unique job. While you’ll have a good baseline, you still need to change keywords to match the job description, reevaluate which skills are most important, and add new skills if needed.

Finally, while your resume may get you a foot in the door, it’s up to you to impress the hiring manager. You’ll need to do your research on the company, talk to people in your network, and nail the interview to get the job. The resume is just the first step.

Wrap up

Resume writers can be a valuable resource. They have insider knowledge, know what works and what doesn’t, and they can provide insight and encouragement to an often disheartening job search process. But the guidance and convenience of hiring a professional aren’t cheap, and you’ll need to decide whether your budget can support it. You don’t need to hire a professional to succeed, and you still need to put in the work yourself, but having a skilled, knowledgeable writer in your corner could make all the difference in landing your next career.

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