What to look for in an Executive Resume Writer?

Finding an executive resume writer who fits your specific situation is critical to getting the best return on your investment. There are a seemingly limitless number of resume writers available – knowing what to look for will help you identify a strong match.

Verify Their Background

Begin by examining a potential resume writer’s background and experience. Investigate the following questions to qualify their capabilities:

• How many years have they been in business? Anyone can put up a website and call themselves an expert, but a good indicator of their level of mastery is the length of time they’ve spent cultivating their craft. You wouldn’t hire a novice to build your home, repair your car, or do your taxes – the same applies to hiring a resume writer. Find someone who’s been in business long enough to understand the elements of a successful resume, as well as the trends in the industry.
• Have they worked at a recruiting firm and/or do they have first-hand experience as a corporate recruiter? While there are plenty of reliable, certified executive resume writers who don’t have a background in recruiting, those who do have one bring a unique and valuable viewpoint. They’ve seen and experienced first-hand how resumes flow through the hiring process. Finding an executive resume writer with experience navigating the hiring process can give you an important edge.
• Do they have an online presence? Are there reviews and recommendations from past clients? Are they engaged on social media channels such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter? Can you find any articles, interviews, or other media in which they’ve been featured? Do they publish valuable thought leadership and advice on their website and/or personal blogs? Truly credible resume writers should have ample evidence of their expertise available online.

Look for Professional Credentials

There are numerous professional organizations that review, evaluate, and test executive resume writers to become certified. Resume writers don’t need to have multiple certifications, but they should hold one of the following:

• ACRW (Academy Certified Resume Writer)
• MRW (Master Resume Writer)
• CERW (Certified Expert Resume Writer)
• CPRW (Certified Professional Resume Writer)
• NCRW (Nationally Certified Resume Writer)
• CARW (Certified Advanced Resume Writer)

To become certified through these nationally recognized organizations, professionals must apply for credit, meet experience requirements, pass the exam, and maintain their certification through ongoing education. Finding certified resume writers is another way to gauge credibility.

Learn Their Process

Get clear on the resume development process for the writers you consider. Some will have you fill out a questionnaire and create your resume from that document. Others hold one-on-one phone calls to gather information and develop your resume verbally. Some will meet with you in person. Decide what method aligns best with your learning style and how collaborative you want it to be.

The same goes for the editing process – some writers limit edits to a specific number of revisions. Others will charge a fee to make any changes, while some may accept as many edits as necessary until you’re satisfied. While more isn’t always better, knowing what the expectations are upfront is helpful.

Consider asking the following questions to make an informed decision:

• Will you work with a writer one-on-one from start to finish? How often will you be able to communicate with them?
• Does the process take place in person, over the phone, or over email – or a combination? How often will they be available to speak with you to sort through any questions or issues?
• Will they use your current resume as a baseline and make revisions as necessary, or will they create a new resume from scratch?
• What is the turnaround time?
• Is the person who gathers information about your career goals and history the same person who will write your resume?
• How many rounds of revisions are included, if any? Will there be a fee for any revisions?

Study Their Samples

Viewing a resume writer’s past work samples is a straightforward way to gauge their skills. If you can’t find any on their website, simply ask for them. Are you impressed with what you see? If so, that’s a good indication that you’ll be satisfied with their work.