If you’re searching for a job and aren’t finding much success, you may be wondering if you should turn to a professional. Depending on your situation, hiring a resume writing service may be the right decision. However, any Internet search for a resume writing service will yield hundreds of results, and it’s not always easy to tell which is right for you.

Choosing the first result or the one with the lowest price would be a mistake. You need to do a little work in order to find the best resume writing service to meet your needs. If you want to hire the right resume writing service, you’ll need to avoid these five common mistakes. 

1. Not properly vetting resume writing services. 

Evaluating different resume writing services requires more than a simple “gut feeling” about their websites. Even if the site makes the service look legitimate, you still need to do your due diligence. 

For starters, the best resume writing services hire experienced, credentialed resume writers. Like any form of writing, producing a resume takes skill and specific knowledge. Do these writers have, at the very least, familiarity with your field? Are the writers certified by organizations like the National Resume Writers’ Association? These professional bodies offer training and certification in the field of resume writing. 

Take the time to review sample resumes, if the website offers any. They’ll alert you to the quality of work you can expect. Do they seem unique and professional? Are you impressed by the style and use of language? 

Find reviews from clients. Do they speak to common problems or were they generally satisfied? This helps to separate the good services from the bad. 

2. Expecting very quick turnarounds.

Understandably, you want the resume as quickly as possible. A future job is on the line and time spent waiting could feel like missed opportunities. But it would be a mistake to send in a poor resume now, rather than investing the time in a professional resume. 

Great resumes aren’t written in a day. Quality writing services devote a considerable amount of time to actually writing and revising the resume. 

Expecting it done quickly because you want it quick is a serious mistake, and could very well mean you hire a resume writing service that doesn’t deliver high-quality results. Don’t be disappointed by writing services that take several days to even a week or more. You can expect far better resumes at the end.  

3. Having a poor understanding of your needs or goals.

A resume is a goal-oriented document. Its purpose is to convince a hiring manager to offer an interview so you can get a new job, make a major career move, or change careers altogether. The resume can’t do its job, and by extension, the writer can’t do his or her job, if you don’t have an understanding of your needs and goals.

If you can approach a resume writing service knowing what you hope to get out of it, the assigned resume writer will know how best to construct your particular resume. They’re familiar with current hiring trends and with resume writing conventions. They will know what to emphasize, what to leave out, and how best to present your work and educational history. 

However, they can only accomplish that if they know what you need from them or what you’re hoping to get from your resume.  

4. Failing to rely on your network.

The professional network you’ve built isn’t there just to compare business cards. They create opportunities, allow for the flow of information, and are a great support system as you move through your career. 

It would be a mistake not to tap into this important resource when searching for a resume writing service. Chances are a colleague or friend have hired resume writers in the past. 

Ask them or someone with a similar job about who they’ve hired in the past. You can save yourself a little time by getting recommendations from trusted sources. You’ll more quickly weed out scams and poor writers and focus on comparing the services of the most trusted companies. 

5. Not picking up the phone. 

Before handing over your money, try to establish actual person-to-person contact. A resume writing service that makes it difficult for potential clients to speak to an actual person and ask questions should be an instant red flag. 

By making contact you can get an accurate picture of how that company operates and how competent its writers are. Moreover, you’ll have the opportunity to learn what you couldn’t through your network and Internet searches.

In an actual conversation, you’ll determine whether the resume writing service is a low-quality mill that doesn’t really know what it’s doing or a highly experienced company with credentialed writers. Top resume companies will have satisfying answers to your questions and smart questions of their own about you, your career, and your goals. 

Hiring a resume writing service is not an easy endeavour, especially with so many companies offering their services. If you avoid these common mistakes, you can be sure the resume you pay for is worth the time and money you invested.