Should I Hire Someone to Write My Resume?

A resume is an essential tool for any job search. You can build it yourself, but like anything else, you can also hire someone to do it for you. But, should you hire someone else to craft your resume?

To make that decision, you need to know the pros and cons of hiring a resume-writing service. Here are the things you need to know to decide if hiring a professional resume-writing service:

Cons:

Not everyone should hire a resume-writing service. Here are the top reasons that you won't find value in having someone write your resume for you.

You Must Pay For the Service

The top reason why people don't hire a resume-writing service is money. People looking for jobs may not have room in their budget for the additional expense of a resume writer.

If you're working with a tight budget, hiring a resume writing service may simply be out of reach at this time. That's ok! There are lots of free resources out there. You may find that these are enough to help you create your own resume.  

You Must Contribute

You cannot expect someone to write you a great resume without providing input or feedback. A good resume writing service will ask you for these details when you hire them. But, the time to share your story may feel frustrating if you simply don't have the time to work with your resume writer currently. If this is the case, then you probably shouldn't hire a resume writer.

You Must Ask Questions

The resume writing service will use what you provide and their knowledge to create your resume. However, you will need to ask that resume writing service for edits or to understand what is on your resume.

This means that you need to read the resume that the service creates and take the time to provide feedback or to ask for clarifications for the resume to truly reflect your experiences. So, if you don't have the time to review the resume when working with the resume service, then you may not get the value out of hiring someone to write your resume for you.

You Don't Need it

where they are so in demand that a great resume isn't really necessary.  You may have the network or experiences that you can easily make a great resume on your own. In that case, save your money and write your own resume.

Time

A quality resume written by a resume writing service takes time. This means that an actual person is taking your information to create your message. So, you cannot expect a professional resume writer to build you a quality resume immediately. Many professional resume writing services like The Contingent Plan offer an expedited service, but those services are still performed by actual people.

Pros:

At the same time, there are some good reasons to hire a resume-writing service. Here are the top benefits of hiring someone to write your resume for you.

Objective Input

One benefit is that a professional resume writing service brings an objective perspective. It's easy to get caught up in our own accomplishments and downplay our weaknesses when writing our own resumes. But a resume expert will be able to take an objective look at your qualifications and figure out what prospective employers will find most impressive about you.

Eliminates the Pressure

Hiring someone also takes the pressure off of you. Trying to write your own resume can be overwhelming while trying to look for jobs, network, and attend to the rest of your life. But when someone else does it for you, all you have to do is provide them with the information they need and then sit back and relax while they put it all together for you.

Removes the Awkwardness

Another advantage of working with a professional is that they can help you overcome any roadblocks you may have in terms of self-promotion. It can be difficult to write about yourself in a way that accurately reflects your skills and experience without sounding arrogant or self-absorbed. A resume writer can help you find the right balance so that your resume sounds confident without sounding conceited.

Allows You to Focus Where it Matters Most

Writing a resume takes time.  However, hiring a resume-writing service can free up time for you to focus on other important aspects of your job search, such as networking and interview preparation. By delegating this task to someone else, you can ensure that your resume is in top shape while still having enough time to dedicate to the other aspects of finding a new job.

They Know How to Customize Your Resume

Some people have to customize their resumes to get past the applicant tracking systems. A quality resume writing service will know those ATS and will be able to effectively customize your resume to get through the system. Crafting a document that gets through the technology and connects with the hiring managers is key to landing the job. This can also translate into a career-changing opportunity and is definitely worth the expense for many.

Recruiter Insights

Another advantage is that they have the expertise and experience needed to know what recruiters and hiring managers are looking for in a candidate. They know how to use keywords and craft sentences that will capture the attention of the reader and make them want to learn more about you.

So should you hire someone to write your resume? Ultimately, this depends on your experience and current goals. Not everyone can benefit from hiring a resume writing service, but if you can, then make sure that you find the service that is right for your needs.

Want a free analysis of your resume to see if a professional resume writing service can help you? Submit your information below to claim your free analysis or consultation with the resume-writing experts at The Contingent Plan.