by Contributor
(Sep. 14, 2021) — Resume services have become an increasingly popular option for job hunters looking to change roles or launch a new career.
They can help land you more interviews and shape your resume to attract more potential employers. However, not all professional resume writing services are created equal. Some are much better than others, which is why you should be on the lookout for what makes a good resume service.
If that new provider that you’re considering sounds like they’re too good to be true, it’s probably because they are. There are a few telltale signs of a low-quality resume service. Let’s explore them more in-depth to know what to look out for when you are looking to hire a new firm.
There is No Initial Phone Call Involved
In order to craft an expert resume, the firm will need to get to know you and your professional credentials. Many offer a discovery phone call that discusses your career history and what you’re looking for in a job. This process helps the writers at the resume service provider get a better understanding of what you bring to the table professionally. If the resume service you’re interviewing doesn’t do this, you may be looking at a low-quality firm.
Claims That Appear Too Good to be True
Just like people, resume service providers can’t be perfect. Even the best of these businesses can’t offer everything. If the organization you’re looking to hire makes outlandish claims or guarantees about the number of interviews or jobs you will land by using them, they might be overpromising. A company that does this is often just trying to entice you into using them and rarely cares about delivering on the claims they make.
No Reviews
With the presence of the internet, reviews have become ubiquitous. Regardless of size or sophistication, every company has a slew of digital reviews for its potential customers to view. If the resume service you are in talks with does not, it may signify that they are of low quality. Look carefully through what people are saying about them online and if they do not have reviews on the Web, ask them why.
Extremely Low Prices
The adage of “you get what you pay for” rings true in the resume service provider world. Low-quality companies will often intentionally underbid the competition to get your business. They know this is their only way to secure new customers, and this strategy is pursued deliberately to bring new revenue in the door. However, companies that do this rarely intend to complete projects as stated and often leave you with a poor customer service experience. If a provider offers you a rate that seems far below the market average, it is usually a good indication that they are not a quality firm.
Boasts Extremely Quick Turnaround Times
Good writing takes time, and so does good resume writing. There should be a process in place that takes more than a few hours to complete. A quality resume is specifically tailored to what you can offer a prospective employer. It should encapsulate your best features and present them in a way that is compelling to hiring managers. If a resume writing service offers you an extremely quick turnaround time, this could be a sign of a low-quality provider. A quickly finished resume will often lack the pop needed to do what a good resume should. To complete a resume project quickly, a company would have to cut corners, leaving your document falling flat.
Can’t Find Them Anywhere Else on the Web
Countless directories list good industry providers to match people with what they are looking for. The resume writing sector is no different. If you are looking to hire a firm and they can’t be found elsewhere on the Web, it may be a good indication that they are not quite what they claim to be. A quality resume writing service should have a thorough web presence and be listed more places than just their site.
Their Website is Unprofessional
The purpose of a resume is to create a good lasting impression on a prospective employer. If the company you are considering can’t do this with their website, it speaks volumes about how they conduct business. A good provider’s website should be clean, professional, and visually appealing. This digital presence is indicative of a good choice for your resume project.
They Don’t Mention Their Writer’s Credentials
Like most industries, resume writers have professional accreditation services that provide those in the sector with credentials. When you are looking for a new provider, you must find one that uses writers with professional credentials like:
- National Resume Writer’s Association (NRWA)
- Master Resume Writer (MRW)
- Certified Expert Resume Writer (CERW)
- Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW)
- Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW)
If the company you are thinking about doesn’t discuss any of their writers having these certifications, it may signify a low-quality resume writing service.