How Not to Choose a Professional Resume Writer - 7 Questions to Avoid Getting Ripped Off

In the competitive world of resume writing , finding a professional you can trust is a daunting task. It's becoming increasingly more difficult to separate the good from the ok, and the fair from the poor. What complicates matters even more is that it's a pretty unregulated industry and buyers who don't carefully select a provider can be left in the lurch. To avoid being disappointed in your results or, even worse, scammed out of your hard-earned money, ask the important questions before you give begin any project.

1) What qualifies you to write resumes? What in your background prepared you for this?

While the answer may be a background in HR or as a recruiter, that's not always the only fit. Someone who will write a great resume for you must be attentive, detail-oriented, skilled at writing and visual layout, and have significant experience in the field. In addition, your resume writer should be up on current and emerging trends and be able to offer you something that will catch a hiring manager or recruiter's eye in the first 10 seconds.

2) How do you decide what layout/format to use?

If the writer provides you a canned or quick answer that seems one-size-fits-all, you should probably look around. While resumes typically contain similar features, form should be dictated by each candidate's unique profile. Every job seeker is unique and every resume should be as well.

3) Who writes my resume?

No, you won't always have a resume written by the owner of the company, and that's okay. But you should have a good understanding of exactly who is writing it, what the process is, and what kind of access you will have to a live person for revisions.

4) Can I speak to someone if I have questions or concerns?

Looking for a job is an arduous and stressful process. Be sure that you can reach out to a live person if something comes up that you're unsure of or don't understand during the process. Be respectful of your resume writer's time and other commitments, but make sure that you feel comfortable with the service level you are going to receive.

5) How does the revision process work?

Every company and writer has a different policy, and you need to ensure that you fully understand and are comfortable with the revision feedback loop once you review your first draft.

6) How do you deal with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)?

It's not black magic, although thousands of internet articles make it seem as such. A resume writer that understands the hiring process will be able to guide you through understanding the importance of keywords, context and scan-friendly formatting.

7) What if I don't like my resume?

Don't expect to have a money back guarantee, but make sure that if you don't like the first draft you will be able to get it right. Reputable writers will be comfortable answering this question because they do great work and have hundreds or thousands of satisfied, happily employed clients.