resume writer company

• Mattress & Sleep
• Kids & Baby Gear
• Beauty & Grooming
• Tech & Electronics

The Best Resume Writing Services Of 2024, Chosen By Our Editors

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

A good resume can make a lasting impression on a potential employer, and the best resume writing services can help you get your foot in the door that much faster. Sure, you can tackle the task yourself, but between navigating computerized application tracking systems and adapting to their ever-changing standards, building a modern resume that stands out in the crowd is no easy feat. That’s why we researched dozens of resume writing services to help you land the role you deserve. Our overall favorite is TopResume , which lets you choose from four different packages, but we included seven more options below.

The best resume writing services can help you make a lasting impression on employers.

When selecting our favorite resume services, we considered how easy each was to use, customization options available and turnaround times. Whether you’re looking for a little polish or have no idea where to start, there’s a service on this list for you. After all, why wouldn’t you hire a professional to handle one of the most important documents standing between you and your dream job: a finely-tuned resume? Below, the best resume writing services that cover everything from editing to one-on-one career counseling. And once you get the job, make sure you’re set up for WFH success with our favorite office chairs , standing desks and business laptops .

• Best Overall Resume Writing Service: TopResume
• Best Resume Writing Service With Custom Bundles: Resumeble
• Best Resume Writing Service With Career Consulting: TopStack Resume
• Best Resume Writing Service For Executives: ZipJob
• Best Resume Writing Service Built By Recruiters: ResumeSpice
• Best Quick-Turnaround Resume Writing Service: Craft Resumes
• Best Value Resume Writing Service: ResumeCompanion
• Best Free Resume Building Service: Resume.com

Best Overall Resume Writing Service

A popular service for professionals.

I am an assistant editor for Forbes Vetted currently residing in Austin, Texas. I primarily cover deals and consumer shopping, and previously worked as a deals staff writer for Wirecutter. My byline has also appeared in the New York Times. I have over four years of experience writing in the e-commerce sphere, and spend most of my time scouring the web for the latest consumer news and best discounts. 

For product reviews, gift ideas, and latest deals, Subscribe to the Forbes Finds newsletter .

Tiers: Starter, Premium, Ultimate and Executive Elite | Turnaround time: 4 to 7 days

Pros: 

• Free resume review
• Customizes your resume by writers certified in 65+ industries 
• 60-day guarantee; double the job interviews or they’ll rewrite it for free

Cons: 

• Limited to two revisions 

TopResume is a popular option for mid- to high-level professionals seeking resume advice. You can choose from four different packages (Starter, Premium, Ultimate and Elite) that range in price from $149 to $699 and offer a variety of services. No matter which package you choose, you’re guaranteed a professionally written resume from an expert in your chosen industry. If you already have a resume, you can also opt to get a free review on it, and receive feedback on its layout, language and how effectively it communicates your skills.

Best Resume Writing Service With Custom Bundles

A great combo service for your resume and cover letter.

Tiers: Standard, Professional and Premium | Turnaround time: 4 days

• Standard package includes resume and cover letter
• Customizable based on your industry
• 60-day guarantee; receive an interview or rewrite for free
• No refunds on Standard and Professional packages (however, Premium packages include a Money Back Guarantee)

Resumeble offers three package tiers: Standard, Professional and Premium. If you’re just starting your career, the Standard package offers bang for your buck, since it includes a resume and cover letter (most services require you to at least upgrade to the mid-level package for both). Next up, the Professional package is geared toward mid-level employees looking to promote or pivot and includes a LinkedIn profile refresh; and the Premium package, designed for seasoned executives, offers all that plus a back-up resume, cold emails to recruiters and more. While no refunds are offered on Standard and Professional packages, the Premium package comes with a Money Back Guarantee if clients don’t receive at least one job offer within 180 days.

Best Resume Writing Service With Career Consulting

A global platform that focuses on the full professional picture, topstack resume.

Tiers: Basic, Standard, Professional and Premium | Turnaround time: 1 to 2 weeks

Pros:  

• Can view final resume before paying 
• Provides advanced career consultations and interview prep
• Donates 5% of profits to the Fisher House Foundation
• 60-day guarantee limited to Professional and Premium packages
• Longer turnaround time; takes 1 to 2 weeks

TopStack offers four different packages that range from $139 for your basic professional resume to $649 for a more robust selection of services (including career consulting plus help with your resume,​ cover letter and LinkedIn profile). It also focuses on ensuring your resume is ATS-optimized, a must in the modern hiring world.

Best Resume Writing Service For Executives

A service built with leaders in mind.

Tiers: Launch, Fast Track, Premium, Executive | Turnaround time: 3 to 7 business days

• Comprehensive; includes resume, cover letter, thank-you note and LinkedIn profile
• Resumes are ATS-optimized
• 60-day interview guarantee
• On the pricier side

ZipJob is a great choice for professionals at all levels, but its comprehensive executive package makes it especially suited for those at the top of their game. Offerings include an executive-level resume and cover letter, LinkedIn profile optimization and a customizable thank-you letter. To ensure everything is up to standard, you also get a phone consultation with your writer and multiple revisions for all of your documents. And just like ZipJob’s other packages, the executive bundle checks that your resume is ATS-ready (Applicant Tracking Systems), so you can pass early screenings with flying colors.

Best Resume Writing Service Built By Recruiters

A highly rated platform developed by hr and hiring managers, resumespice.

Tiers: Entry Level, Professional and Executive | Turnaround time: 2 days

• Wide range of services offered including for resume, cover letter, Linkedin profile, interview prep and career coaching 
• Quick 2-day turnaround
• 60-day guarantee; rewrite if you don’t get an interview 

Cons:  

• Expensive; $479 for an entry-level resume

ResumeSpice is more expensive than other services. That said, it was developed by recruiters, aka people who’ve truly homed in on what prospective employers are seeking. It’s also one of the highest-rated services on Trustpilot . The company offers a quick two-day turnaround, pre-built packages depending on your experience and the option to tack on its highly rated career-building services. ResumeSpice also has free resume resources and a selection of sample templates, if you’re more interested in the DIY approach.

Best Quick-Turnaround Resume Writing Service

A platform that gets you the fastest first draft, craft resumes.

Tiers: Resume Writing, Basic, Optimal, All-In-One | Turnaround time: 1 day

• 24-hour turnaround time for first draft 
• Writers are PARWCC- or NRWA-certified
• International service; some users experience grammar issues due to language barrier

If you’re in a time crunch, this writing and editing service has a 24-hour turnaround for the first draft of your resume. Craft Resumes features an easy-to-navigate website and delivers resumes tailored to your experiences and desired career path. Like a few other services, Craft Resumes offers a series of à la carte options, such as LinkedIn profile writing, thank-you letters and follow-up letters.

Best Value Resume Writing Service

A subscription-based diy resume builder, resumecompanion.

Tiers: Monthly or 2-week access | Turnaround time: Self-paced

• Affordable; subscription costs $8 a month or 14-day access for $3
• Choose from dozens of professional resume templates
• Offers cover letter, job search and tracking tools
• Self-directed; no hands-on help from writers

This resume builder is a great budget option for a self-starter who wants to learn the ropes and take things into their own hands. You can select from a variety of templates, narrow down the type of job you’re seeking and follow a step-by-step process to perfect your own resume. However, because it’s subscription-based, you’ll have to renew the service if you want to edit your materials in the future.

Best Free Resume Building Service

A robust resume and cover letter resource—at no cost to you.

Tiers: Free | Turnaround time: Self-paced

• Free with dozens of templates to choose from
• Integrated with Indeed; easy to apply to jobs
• Some users say it’s difficult to cancel subscription

If your budget is tight and you don’t mind going the DIY route for your resume, Resume.com is a great resource. It has an intuitive user interface and offers over 20 different resume and cover letter templates to choose from. There’s also an open career advice portal where you can read about career development, interview tips and more.

Ulta’s 21 Days Of Beauty Sale Ends Thursday—These Are The Best Deals Left

Best cameras for beginners ready to try using a dedicated device, why trust forbes vetted.

The Forbes Vetted team has published a large library of tech guides , including reviews on a variety of online tools and home office essentials like the best document scanners and all-in-one printers .

• Consumer tech editor Rebecca Isaacs and executive editor Dave Johnson oversee this guide and its iterations; they have over a decade of experience in the industry and both enjoy testing and reviewing the latest in tech.
• Assistant editor Jordan Thomas has over four years of experience covering deals and consumer shopping. For this guide, she scoured the web for the most reputable resume writing services and compared each option to find the best.
• We continue to monitor the best resume services and routinely update this guide to provide the most current information about pricing and offerings. It was last updated in May 2024 by tech updates writer Alexandra Garrett to expand our buyer’s guide.

How We Chose The Best Resume Writing Services

To compile this list, we sought out well-known resume writing services with overwhelmingly positive customer reviews and compared key offerings.

• We looked for reputable resume writing services with proven results; each service had to meet our standards in terms of overall value, turnaround time, professionalism and satisfaction guarantees.
• We evaluated each service side-by-side to determine which performs better at writing a robust resume in an accurate, timely manner.
• Everyone has unique needs when it comes to searching for a job, so we made sure to recommend options that span different career goals and budgets, whether that includes getting career consultation or polishing up an existing resume.

What To Look For When Choosing The Best Resume Writing Service

Resume writing services come in a wide range of prices, and the best options for you will largely depend on your needs and budget. Affordable services like ResumeCompanion offer a step-by-step process for building your own resume for $8 a month, while other services provide a more hands-on approach for around $150. Packages typically go up to $250-$300 when you add Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)-optimization, cover letter writing, interview prep and career coaching.

Turnaround Time

If your job application has a set deadline, take a look at the service’s turnaround time before committing. Most services take anywhere from two days to two weeks to provide a finalized resume. Some promise a draft in 24 hours, like Craft Resumes .

Ease Of Use

When deciding on a resume writing service, take a look at how easy the website is to navigate. Is it difficult to browse different templates, download your files or customize your resume? The job application process is often stressful, so a resume writing service should alleviate—not contribute to—some of that stress.

Customization Options

A resume needs to accurately reflect your unique qualifications, skills and industry standards. For this reason, consider which customization options the service provides. Many of our recommendations use writers, recruiters or HR professionals to tailor your application documents to your unique needs.

Writer Qualifications

With AI solutions like ChatGPT readily available, you’ll want to check whether or not your resume writer is qualified to provide the help you need. To do this, take a look at the service’s writer qualifications. Some services use writers certified by the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC) or National Resume Writers Association (NRWA), while others are run by recruiters or HR professionals.

Privacy Policies

Because some websites and apps collect your personal information, it’s important to check the privacy policies before signing up. Look for whether the site stores or shares that information with third parties, and whether you can adjust your privacy settings to opt out of this setting.

Is It Worth Paying For A Resume Writing Service?

Professionally-written resumes through a reputable service can help you stand out from the competition. They’re often designed to highlight your best qualities, and are keyword-optimized for most applicant tracking systems. If you’re struggling with employment gaps or career changes, a resume writing service can help give you a leg up. And some services will also provide reviews for custom cover letters, Linkedin profiles, interview prep and career coaching.

What’s The Best Resume Writing Company?

The best resume writing company is affordable, offers high-quality review and writing services and is easy to use. Our top pick overall— TopResume —provides the professionalism and quality most mid- to high-level job seekers need, from its free resume review to its customizable options.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

• Services & Software

Article updated on August 6, 2024 at 11:20 PM PDT

Best Resume Writing Services for 2024

Whether you're actively job hunting or just want to keep everything updated, a professional resume writing service can help you score that dream job.

Our Experts

• She received the Renau Writing Scholarship in 2016 from the University of Louisville's communication department.

• Apple software beta tester, "Helps make our computers and phones work!" - Zach's grandparents

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Just like the job market, resume writing is constantly changing. From new formats to key terms, it can be hard to keep up with the trends, let alone keep your resume up-to-date with your experience. Whether you want to put your best foot forward applying for your dream job or you just need some writing help, we found the best resume writing services to get you that interview ASAP.

Some of what you'll need to include in your resume will depend on the industry you want to work in. While it can vary, employers will likely look at your education, work history and skills. We've combed through dozens of resume services looking at the most helpful features across a variety of needs. We looked especially closely at the number of custom templates, the amount of guidance the service offered, the ease of navigation and the robustness of the service's privacy policy. Each of these templates and professional writing services will help you create a complete resume that best reflects your skills and experience at an affordable price.

What’s the best resume builder website?

The best resume template and builder should give you a variety of options to customize your resume. Resume.com has many options and customization features that make it a useful tool for almost any candidate applying to any job. You can upload and edit an existing resume, customize an available template from its collection or let the service guide you through creating one from scratch. Resume.com also offers helpful guidance throughout your resume creation process, making sure you include and optimize all your content. Once you're happy with your resume, you can download it for free in multiple formats.

Depending on where you're at in the job application process, you might need more guidance than a template. These professional writing services will pair you with experienced writers and coaches to help you craft and perfect resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters and more. These services include more personalized coaching and features, but they tend to be more expensive. We’ve collected a range of options for your budget and needs. Because your resume likely includes your contact information and some personal information, we've also included information about each service's privacy policy.

Best resume templates and builders of 2024

A well-constructed resume can help you stand out during a job search.

• Can create new resume or customize templates
• Many free features, guidance while writing
• Integrated with Indeed job search site
• Difficulty unsubscribing from paid services

Best free resume builder

Resume.com is a free resume writer offering dozens of templates for creating your resume or cover letter, as well as job boards and career advice. You have the option to upload and edit an existing resume, create a new one, or customize one of the sample resumes offered on the site. It's intuitive and easy to use, and it creates a professional-looking final product.

When starting from scratch, you'll go section by section, entering your education, employment history, hobbies and interests, professional skills, languages and references. Resume.com provides question prompts and tips for guidance, as well as career-specific examples you can add if you're struggling to find the right words. You can also choose to forgo any of these sections, rearrange sections and add custom ones depending on what you need. As you update and save each section, you can see how it will appear on the page on your resume preview to the right. You can also change the template, font style and size, or spacing at any time and see it update in real-time in the preview.

Once you're done, you can download your new resume (in PDF, DocX, RTF or TXT format), create a custom URL or print it out. You also have the option to upload it to Indeed, a job search site that partners with Resume.com . The account you make will work with both Indeed and Resume.com . On the privacy side, the site does collect user information. If you want to delete your account, simply click your profile icon and then Account . Clicking Close My Account deletes your account and your data. If you didn't make an account, you can still choose Delete Guest Data . You can also request your data, and the company will send you an email with what it has collected.

On the review site Trustpilot , Resume.com only has 38 reviews, but of those, 53% of them awarded the site four or five stars. Some negative reviews speak of difficulty unsubscribing from paid services, so read carefully as you use the free aspects of this service.

• Guided help writing work experience descriptions
• Cover letter and CV help
• Easy to change layout and color styles
• Must pay to download resume

Best option for your first resume

Resume genius.

The website Resume Genius says you can "make a professional resume in 12 minutes." We tested it out and indeed had a solid first draft of an easy resume completed in about 10 minutes. Resume Genius takes you step-by-step through the process, prompting you with questions about your education and work experience to help you fill out the applicable sections. Resume Genius is particularly helpful because you can search for a job and see prewritten text for the description that you can add or edit. When finished, you can easily toggle between different templates to see what looks best for the final product. You also have the option to directly share your resume with Indeed or Resume Library.

The site can also help you build cover letters and curriculum vitae. After you input all your information, you can choose different layout styles and colors. It's easy to move through, but you have to do it in order and fill in all the information before continuing. Resume Genius also offers examples of resumes, CVs and cover letters for specific jobs, as well as recommended jobs near you. You can download the resume you create for $3 (which starts a 14-day trial for Resume Genius Pro), or $8 (which kicks off a monthly subscription plan).

On Trustpilot at the time of this publication, the site has 4.6 out of 5 stars based on more than 38,000 reviews. Note that if you register on the site, Resume Genius does collect personally identifiable information and may share it with third parties for advertising and other purposes, according to its privacy policy. The account deletion process is buried in the Terms of Service . According to Resume Genius, complete data erasure can take up to 30 days, but they may retain "certain information in accordance with privacy laws."

• Easy to customize
• Free downloads
• Optional paid extra assistance with Indeed professionals
• Unclear how to delete personal information

Easiest resume builder to use

Indeed resume builder.

It's free to create a resume or post your current resume on Indeed. If you're building a new one, you can choose between eight templates. The resume sections are highlighted and when you click, each section expands specific text fields. You can swap templates at any time without losing your work, as well. There are also options for toggling sections on and off, in addition to rearranging them. When you're finished, you can download a free PDF of your work history.

Indeed Resume Builder also offers optional professional advice for your new resume. After you download the resume you created, you'll get a prompt and can click Get Resume Help From a Real Person. For $35, you can upload your resume and get feedback from a professional to get you started, and for $55 you can chat with a professional in real-time via a 20-minute video call. If you're really stuck, you can opt for the full resume rewrite for $155.

Indeed's privacy policy says that it does collect and share user data with third-party providers to connect job seekers with employers and improve services. According to Indeed's privacy policy, you can request an account or personal data deletion and request that your data not be shared while your account is active. CNET reached out to Indeed for more information and we'll update when we hear back.

• Guides resume creation
• Free resume downloads
• Paid tier offers interview advice and cover letter builder
• Have to pay for additional downloads

Most affordable paid resume builder

Cv engineer.

CV Engineer is an easy-to-use smartphone app that creates a professional-looking resume. With 16 templates to choose from, you can tap to enter information into all of the usual sections and add custom ones. When you tap on each section, you can tap through the bottom toolbar to get advice on what type of information to add, as well as view resume examples to show you how the section could look.

CV Engineer lets you send or download your first completed resume for free, but upgrading to CV Engineer Pro for a one-time payment of $6 gives you access to unlimited downloads. A Scan My CV feature is also included, which can detect common mistakes and suggest improvements, such as places where you can add more information. The Pro version also offers interview advice and a cover letter builder.

You can download CV Engineer from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store . CV Engineer does collect personal information and can share it with Google Play Services and Firebase Analytics, according to its privacy policy. The app is free to download and ad-free.

• Strong privacy policy
• Example resumes available
• Only one layout available
• Little guidance during creation

Best free iOS resume builder

Resume star 2: pro cv designer.

Resume Star 2 isn't the most visually stunning resume design app for iOS, but it gets the job done. To use, tap each section of the resume, fill in your information and it will fill in a traditional template (you only get one layout). The app offers some example resumes you can start with and edit as needed, including job-specific ones for a: cashier, dental hygienist, receptionist, waitress, mechanic and senior manager.

You can add or delete any sections you like without needing to hit save every time you add information, and you can see your resume update as you go. The autosave feature makes it easy to toggle quickly between the different sections as well. At the end, you'll have a basic resume ready to go. The app's interface doesn't offer as much guidance about how to write your resume or what types of information to include. If you need extra help, tap the information icon in the bottom left and choose the Resume Writing Guide. This will open up a crash course on resume writing in your mobile browser. It also includes a job search feature.

The app collects payment via donations after you use the service. You don't have to pay if you don’t want to. The app connects to iCloud, and you can export your resume as a PDF to any location on your device(s). If you are happy with the service, you pay $25 for it. Resume Star 2 has a 4.8 out of 5 rating, and more than 1,800 ratings in the App Store . The first version, Resume Star: Pro CV Maker, which is the same except for the iCloud connection, had a 4.9-star rating and more than 16,000 reviews. The site does not collect personally identifiable information without user consent, which seems to make it one of the more secure options available.

• 42 templates to choose from
• Easily customizable
• Little to no guidance during creation

Best free Android resume writing service

Intelligent cv resume builder app.

Intelligent CV's Resume Builder App offers 42 resume templates and allows you to change font colors. Each resume section appears on a list, and you can move through sections in whichever order you choose, save and go on to another. You also have the option to add, delete or rearrange sections such as education, experience and skills. There’s a Help icon in each section for a little bit of extra guidance. Once you're finished, you can download your document for free as a PDF, which you can then save on your device or send via email or text.

On the downside, the app is ad-supported and ads for other resume creators do pop up, which can get confusing. The app also offers less guidance than some of the other services, which means it's not a great option if you're new to resumes. Resume Builder App has one of the strongest privacy policies of the bunch. The app does not collect personally identifiable information , though third-party services (including Google Play services and analytics firms) may collect information. The app has 4.6 out of 5 stars and more than 424,000 Google Play Store ratings and is free to download.

• Easy-to-use interface
• Inclusive premium package

Best range of professional tools

VisualCV has an easy-to-use interface that lets you build your resume in the way that works best for you. After signing up, you can upload an existing resume, begin with a prewritten sample or start entirely from scratch. You can use the basic editor to input information in a list form, the visual editor to edit directly on the resume and preview mode to see changes made on either version in real time. Revision history is also available. The free basic edition allows you to select from over a dozen professional templates to create, edit and download one resume as a PDF. You can also create one free cover letter and apply to jobs through its job search feature.

To download or share additional resumes, you’ll need to buy VisualCV Pro for $15 a month quarterly or $24 a month monthly. Upgrading unlocks more templates, unlimited creations, downloading, career tracking and the ability to build a personal resume website. The website URL goes through VisualCV but can be shared online. In terms of privacy, VisualCV's policy says that it does not sell, trade, rent or license personal information to third parties. As of publication, VisualCV has 4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot but only 131 reviews.

Best professional resume writing services of 2024

Depending on where you're at in the job application process, you might need more guidance than a template. These professional writing services will pair you with experienced writers and coaches to help you craft and perfect resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters and more. As these services include more personalized coaching and features, they tend to be more expensive. We've collected a range of options depending on your budget and needs. Best professional resume writing services of 2024.

• Resume writing and career coaching
• Builds your resume from the ground up
• Quick turnaround
• More expensive options

A premium option for a tailored resume

Resume spice.

Suppose you're totally lost and are willing to invest several hundred dollars into your job search. In that case, Resume Spice is a resume writing and career coach service created by recruiters that connects you with a "resume expert" to build your CV from scratch.

Once you choose, you'll fill out a short questionnaire and schedule a phone consultation with a resume expert to discuss your experience, job search and career goals. The expert will take that information and turn around a personalized resume draft within two business days. You can review the draft and request any changes, and you'll get the final version in PDF and Word formats. 

An entry-level resume costs $479, a professional resume costs $589 and an executive resume costs $699. In addition to these packages, you can also add a cover letter, LinkedIn profile, interview coaching or other services to help you be more competitive in the job market.

• 60 day interview guarantee
• Industry-specific advice
• Variety of packages
• Limited non-resume add-ons

A 60-day interview guarantee

Resumewriters.com.

ResumeWriters.com offers a guarantee: If you don't get a job interview with a potential employer within two months of getting your new resume, they'll rewrite it for free. The service claims that in the 20 years and tens of thousands of resumes completed under this guarantee, it averages fewer than five requests for rewrites per year. To use the resume writing service, submit your current resume or career information on the site, and an experienced resume writer will contact you to assess your materials and plan out what you need. You'll get a first draft back within 72 hours and can work with the writer on revisions until you're satisfied with the result.

ResumeWriters offers student, professional, executive and career-change resume services, as well as CV services for those conducting their job search in fields specific to the military, IT and research. The resume services cost $170 for students and $200 for the professional level, with a cover letter, one-on-one consultation and LinkedIn profile. The career change level ($250) is a comprehensive package that includes everything plus a post-interview follow-up letter, and the highest tier is the executive package that guarantees applicants its most experienced writers for $300.

• ATS screening
• Unlimited revisions
• Longer turnaround time (3-7 business days)

A fast pass through HR screening software

ZipJob’s professional resume writers optimize your resume to get through the applicant tracking system (ATS) software used by the majority of employers to automatically scan and sort resumes. An expert writes your resume and scans it through the ATS to ensure it will make it through to the hiring manager's desk. To use the service, upload your resume or fill out a form to start from scratch. You'll be matched with a professional resume writer who will work with you to improve it and will then scan the final product to make sure it passes through the screening algorithms. Depending on which package you choose, your resume will be ready in three to seven days.

You can choose from three packages: Launch (resume writing and unlimited revisions for $139), Fast Track (adds a cover letter and a 60-day interview guarantee for $189) or Premium (adds a top resume writer, LinkedIn profile optimization, future resume updates and expedited delivery for $299).

• Career coaching
• Industry-specific feedback
• Ability to customize packages
• Longer turnaround time (3-5 business days)

An executive resume solution

Find my profession.

Find My Profession offers professional resume writing services as well as career coaching. Every resume gets reviewed by two different consultants. You'll find packages that include entry-level, professional, C-level and executive resume writer services, as well as federal. In each, you can choose a base, premium or VIP package depending on your needs.

For example, the professional resume package starts at $595 for a resume compatible with automated systems. You can also add help with a cover letter for an additional $119 or a LinkedIn profile for $399. You'll get the first draft of your resume within three to five business days after you consult with a writer. Or, upgrade to a priority service for another $149 to get it within 48 hours.

How we tested resume sites and services

When we evaluated the different resume templates and builders, we looked at how each site or app allowed you to create new resumes, browse templates or upload and edit existing resumes. We also looked at how easy or hard it would be to customize different templates and sections, how much guidance was available, how user-friendly it was to navigate, plus reading and understanding each company's privacy policies.

Some of our picks are free, some enlist the help of professional writers and some require a subscription or one-time payment. When it comes to premium or paid services, we evaluated how inclusive its packages were compared to basic or free versions. In many cases for the professional writing services, these paid tiers included more guidance and additional job search support like a cover letter and LinkedIn editing, suggested jobs to apply to and interview coaching.

Factors to consider when choosing a resume writing service

This was a key factor when compiling this list. Whether you're looking for a free service to boost your current resume or interested in professional editing services, there’s something for everyone’s price range.

Ease of use

When looking at each website, we looked at how easy it was to navigate, browse templates and add, edit or remove different sections. We also considered whether you can download and share your resume for free and in what format.

Customization options

Customization options were essential, as everyone's resume is going to look different. Having easy user control over your resume helps you create a resume that meets your industry's standards and showcases your professional experiences.

Privacy policies

Privacy policies were the final important factor to consider, as many of these are websites and apps that can collect and store your personal information. All of the services and websites included on this list have decent privacy settings, and we noted which ones have exceptionally clear use cases and account deletion policies.

Resume writing FAQs

What is a resume builder.

A resume builder is a company that has a website or app that helps you create and customize your resume. You can use preexisting templates or create your own from scratch.

What is a resume writing service?

A resume writing service is a company that pairs you with a coach or writer to work with you to create, perfect and tailor your resume, cover letters and other job application materials. These tend to be more inclusive packages and therefore more expensive than simple resume template websites.

What is the best resume format to use?

The best format for your resume is going to depend on the job you are applying to, along with your work experience. Resume templates can help you format and include all the necessary information like your education, work experience, skills and contact information.

Services and Software Guides

• Best iPhone VPN
• Best Free VPN
• Best Android VPN
• Best Mac VPN
• Best Mobile VPN
• Best VPN for Firestick
• Best VPN for Windows
• Fastest VPN
• Best Cheap VPN
• Best Password Manager
• Best Antivirus
• Best Identity Theft Protection
• Best LastPass Alternative
• Best Live TV Streaming Service
• Best Streaming Service
• Best Free TV Streaming Service
• Best Music Streaming Services
• Best Web Hosting
• Best Minecraft Server Hosting
• Best Website Builder
• Best Dating Sites
• Best Language Learning Apps
• Best Weather App
• Best Stargazing Apps
• Best Cloud Storage
• Best Resume Writing Services
• New Coverage on Operating Systems

Professional Resume Writing Services

Land your next job faster., our services have helped over 1 million professionals land more interviews and get hired faster..

9750+ 5 star reviews

• ATS-optimized resume
• Career Services Platform
• 60-day Interview guarantee
• ATS-Optimized resume

Cover Letter

• 60-day Interview Guarantee
• Top 20% of Writer Network

LinkedIn Makeover

60-Day Interview Guarantee

We're committed to helping our customers succeed. If you don't get called for an interview in 60-days, your rewrite is on us.

Everything You Need to Find Your Next Job

As part of all our writing packages, we'll set you up with a professionally designed resume that is readable by all Application Tracking Systems, highlights your core achievements, and most importantly is familiar to hiring managers so you make a professional first impression. Plus, our expert writers craft resumes and cover letters that capture your unique story, ensuring it sounds authentic and not like it was generated by AI.

Hear from our customers

See how a resume writing service can help simplify, quicken, and improve the results of your job search.

more interviews reported by job candidates

more job offers with a professional resume

higher salary offer after working with TopResume

increased job level with a restrategized resume

Results from our 2023 white paper, ‘The Dollars and Sense of a Professional Resume.’ Read the research

Customize your package with powerful add-ons

After you purchase a package, you can add on any of the following services..

48-Hour Delivery

Get the first draft of your resume within two business days.

Phone Consultation

Talk with your resume writer on the phone to go over any questions or feedback.

Interview Coaching

Prepare for your next interview with the help of a professional coach.

Powered by const t="undefined"!=typeof HTMLImageElement&&"loading"in HTMLImageElement.prototype;if(t){const t=document.querySelectorAll("img[data-main-image]");for(let e of t){e.dataset.src&&(e.setAttribute("src",e.dataset.src),e.removeAttribute("data-src")),e.dataset.srcset&&(e.setAttribute("srcset",e.dataset.srcset),e.removeAttribute("data-srcset"));const t=e.parentNode.querySelectorAll("source[data-srcset]");for(let e of t)e.setAttribute("srcset",e.dataset.srcset),e.removeAttribute("data-srcset");e.complete&&(e.style.opacity=1,e.parentNode.parentNode.querySelector("[data-placeholder-image]").style.opacity=0)}}

Thank You Letter

Save time with an expert-written thank you letter template that you can tailor to a range of jobs.

Ensure your LinkedIn shows in search results, is keyword-optimized, and resume aligned.

Employers are 40% more likely to read a resume with a cover letter.

Reviewed by the community. Trusted by professionals.

based on 13,447 reviews on

based on 13,447 reviews

Resume services tailored to your industry

Click on the examples below to see how our team of professionals can take your resume to the next level.

Administrative

Business & Management

Maintenance & Repair

Engineering

Human Resources

Transportation

Information Technology

Learn more about our resume writing process

Tell us about yourself.

Meet your match

Review first draft, receive your resume, frequently asked questions, what are the benefits of a professionally written resume .

When you work with a resume writing service, you’re investing in a quicker job search and a more fruitful and satisfying career. To have job search success, your resume has to appeal to both the  resume scanning software and the hiring manager — or else you risk getting lost in the resume black hole where your job application is dismissed without consideration because of your resume .

How does the resume process work?

The resume process begins with us getting to know you and learning about your history and career goals. Once we’ve learned more about you, we’ll match you with a writer knowledgeable about your industry.

The resume process is simple! First, submit your existing resume or provide your career details. You’ll fill out an intake survey to provide your writer with accurate elements for your document. Then you’ll collaborate with a professional writer to craft a tailored resume . Finally, you’ll review and refine the draft to ensure it aligns with your career goals. Leaving you with a polished resume that showcases your strengths and maximizes your job search potential!

What qualifications do TopResume writers have?

We have a network of over 1,200 writers, including certified career coaches, former and current hiring managers, HR professionals, recruiters and professionals with specialized experience in over 65 industries. This ensures we can match each client with an expert who is a strong match for their needs. TopResume recruits and vets our writers based upon the value they can bring to our clients.

How do I collaborate with my resume writer?

Our resume process is completely confidential and collaborative between the writer and the client.

All communication with your writer is done via our secure dashboard. If you would prefer telephone communication with your writer, you can add it on to your resume package for an additional fee.

The resume process begins with us getting to know you and learning about your history and career goals. Once we've learned more about you, we'll match you with a writer knowledgeable about your industry.

Your writer collaborates with you on a first draft, which will be delivered to you in about a week. Then, you'll have another week to provide feedback to your writer, with up to two rounds of revisions.

Overall, the resume process typically takes one to two weeks. You can learn more about what to expect when working with a TopResume writer here.

What is TopResume ’s 60-day guarantee?

Professionally written resume get results. Our team of professional resume writers are trained to position you as an achiever, which will help you find a job faster.

If you are not receiving two times more job interviews within 60 days of receiving your professionally-written resume, we will write it again one time, free-of-charge. You must notify us in writing within 180 days of receiving your final copy. Only certain packages are eligible for our guarantee.

What if I’m applying for a government or an academic job?

Government and academic positions often have needs that go above and beyond the usual resume. If you need a  federal resume  or an  academic CV , we offer special services dedicated to fulfilling your needs.

What is Affirm?

TopResume has partnered with Affirm to offer our customers the option of paying over three, six, or 12-month periods with rates from 0% to 36% APR. For example, on a $349 purchase, you may pay $31.50 a month for 12 months with a 15% APR. Make sure to check and see if you qualify! Click on the following link if you want to know more about Affirm .

Have some more questions?

Ready to rewrite your resume .

• https://www.sukainfo.com/

• Prices & Services
• Free Critique

The ONLY Job GUARANTEE In The Resume Writing Industry! Creating Job-Winning Resumes Since 2003 Powerful ATS-Compliant Resumes For All Career Situations Expedited Delivery Available Via Email Expert Career Coaching by Telephone The Very Best LinkedIn Profile Makeovers Eye-Catching, Job-Winning Cover Letters No Revision Limit - We Write Until You LOVE Your Resume! More Than 125,000 Customers Served!

Celebrating 20 Years of Professional Resume Writing and over 125,000 Clients Expertly Served.

Our Resume Writing Services Have Helped Thousands Of Clients Get Hired With Such Organizations As:

-->

 

 

Resume Writing Group Careers   Become an Affiliate

For General Customer Service, Call Us Toll Free At 1-800-466-3076 Or Email Our Writers By Clicking HERE

Highly Personalized, Nationally Certified Resume Writing, LinkedIn Profiles, Job-Search Strategy, & Career Coaching

Choose a service.

We can help in lots of ways.

Your story is waiting to be discovered.

Resume writing.

Not happy with your current resume? We’ll build a new one for you.

Go to Resume Page

Career Coaching

Feeling stuck or unsure what to do next? Let’s talk it through.

Go to Career Page

Expert Advice

Looking for things to read and watch? Here are some DIY options.

Go to Advice Page

Read Cliff’s Book

Master your job search.

43 Transformative Tips

Learn how to navigate applications, resumes, cover letters, interviews, LinkedIn, networking, and branding, in a way that doesn’t drain you.

1 Quick Read

Enjoy advice from an expert without the fluff. Change your mindset in an hour.

Say Yes to Change

5 reasons to work with BrightSide.

Top Credentials.

Our CEO Cliff Flamer is a former Silicon Valley recruiter, multi-credentialed national resume writer, and career coach with a master’s degree in Career Counseling and bachelor's degree in English. He has been brightening the careers of job-seekers for years. Here’s his full story.

Rockstar Team.

We’re small and we like it that way. Although BrightSide has been solidly booked 2-6 weeks out for a while now, we’ve opted not to scale beyond our lead writer/coach, a super-powered project manager, a couple of eagle-eyed editors, an IT guy, some LinkedIn pros, and a finance/operations manager. Our service is excellent, and we really get to know you.

Highly Customized Experience.

Everything we do is personalized. Whether we’re building you a resume or facilitating your career transition, we start with you and work from there. We have a lot of experience and training to fall back on and a lot of advice to give, but we come to you unassuming, without preconceived ideas as to who you are or what solution will work best for you.

Fun, Easy, and Deep Process.

We’ve designed a process that uses the right balance of self-paced career assessments, 1:1 coaching, web collaboration, and well-thought-out worksheets to keep you engaged and inspired. We’ll dig deep. And we’ll be with you every step of the way.

At BrightSide, we get people into jobs. We never grow tired of receiving grateful emails and reviews talking about interviews, offers, salary increases, and the first day at a dream job. Our clients are consistently amazed by how different things are after their BrightSide experience. You, too, can find renewed enthusiasm for your life and career.

Find a Service

Life is Good

A note from our CEO.

Why we're so happy.

Here's the thing: as part of our job, we get to find out who you are, and we do it through a process that's different from every conversation you've had. Seriously, how many people invite you to talk about your work for an hour... and really want to listen?

Tell us how you spend your days… what you think about when you leave at night… what's there for you when you show up… and what's missing.

Your story is worth talking about.

There's truth in your achievements, a narrative to uncover. It's energizing to be a part of your important work, to give way to change, and make things happen for you.

Your story is waiting to be discovered. Let's get the world to notice.

Modal title

Professional Resume Writing Services

Resumeble is the only resume writing company that gives you one-on-one access to expert resume writers in 80+ Industries, and a money-back guarantee! Our comprehensive approach ensures each resume is tailored to highlight your unique strengths and experiences, making you stand out in a competitive job market.

ATS-optimized

98.4% interview rate

Need fast advice?

Get a free 48-hour resume review

Drop your resume into the area above to kickstart your free resume review. Supported file formats: PDF/Doc/Docx

“I've had two separate interviews already and both have mentioned how much my resume and cover letter stood out. I'm able to access opportunities I would not have had with a lesser resume!”

- Jillian B.

As one of the top-rated resume writing companies, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional results for clients.

Our writers understand what HR managers in over 80 sectors look for, enabling them to fast-track applications from “ATS-approved” to “interview booked.”

They stay updated with the latest industry trends and hiring practices to ensure your resume meets the highest standards.

See an instant change in interest from employers

“I had trouble making my skills relate to the federal job I was interested in. Resumeble's experienced writers managed to do so effortlessly. It's not a stretch to say they are the best in the business.”

Connect with an expert who understands your position

“It's worth every penny… I submitted my new resume to several companies. I received an invitation for an interview within few days”

Here’s why we’re considered one of the best resume writing companies

We set ourselves apart through our commitment to quality and client satisfaction. Our process crafts your resume into a powerful tool that opens doors to new opportunities. Here’s how Resumeble stacks up against other resume writing services.

Ready to team up with an industry expert and fast-track your career?

Our resume writing packages are designed to meet various needs and career levels. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for an executive resume writing company that can help you advance to a senior position, we have a package that fits.

• Professional resume
• Cover letter
• LinkedIn profile makeover
• Back up industry resume
• Follow up emails
• Cold email to recruiters
• Top 25 writers
• Interview guarantee
• 3 free revisions
• + LinkedIn profile
• Interview guarantee *
• Unlimited revisions
• + Back up industry resume
• + Follow up emails
• + Cold email to recruiters
• Top 5 writers
• Job guarantee **

So I actually found this more useful than I anticipated! Here's what I liked: they refreshed the format when I've been using the exact same template for my whole career; they removed some unnecessary fluff that I was attached to; they actually added in some interesting projects and career highlights that I would not have thought to include; I actually could use this [cover letter] with pretty much no edits for most of the jobs I'd consider applying for.

As an experienced executive, I thought my background was enough to get any job I apply for. I started worrying when I wasn't getting any calls for the resume I sent out. Using Resumeble's free evaluation tool, I soon found out where my resume fell short. Needless to say, I used their resume writing service, and I eventually got the calls I was waiting for. I feel like I owe you guys my career! I can't thank you enough!

As a recruiter, I’ve had to learn how to communicate my experience on paper. The process is difficult. Here’s a recommendation ➡ Resumeble - CV and Resume Writing Service. I tried their service and here’s why I like it: Personalized one-on-one approach, Affordability, Quick turnaround, Quality assurance. Additionally, you are able to request revisions to ensure complete satisfaction.

My wife was hired for a plum position by a Dubai company, which meant we had to move our family to the UAE. I didn't want her to be the sole breadwinner, so I needed to find a job in Dubai, and fast. Though I had trouble finding a vacancy that matched my qualifications, my writer did an excellent job in making my relevant experiences shine through. I had my completed resume within a week, and my interview soon after.

Wow! My resume has been transformed! As a former career coach and current recruiter, I definitely understand the importance of resumes. Truth be told, I have spent a lot of time helping others with resumes and yet I haven’t spent as much time keeping my own polished. Thanks to Resumeble - CV and Resume Writing Service I have been able to change that! I was able to work one-on-one with an expert writer who took the time to answer questions and make suggested changes as needed.

After spending 20 years working the same job, I felt ready for a fresh start. I decided that a career in federal government would be ideal, but I had trouble making my skills relate to the federal job I was interested in. Resumeble's experienced writers managed to do so effortlessly. It's not a stretch to say they are the best in the business. If you're looking for a resume service that can deliver the goods, this is it.

Your resume is your career's VIP pass, and I love a VIP experience. Last month Resumeble - CV and Resume Writing Service revamped my resume, and I was beyond impressed. I never used a paid resume writing service - until now. After uploading my previous resume and a couple of sample roles, I was paired with Susan. She was a great sounding board, and we connected regularly until I was satisfied with the results.

I had to find a job immediately after graduation, because aside from my student debt, I had my family to worry about, as our finances fell in dire straits due to the pandemic. I sure am glad I chanced upon a top-caliber resume service that offered an interview guarantee. I got a call within a week of sending my resume. The writer who worked with me was easy to work with, and the service was great overall. Highly recommended.

It can feel overwhelming, especially if you're about to start your job search or in the middle of looking for a new opportunity. Here’s the silver lining- there are tools out there to help! I recently tapped into a resume service called Resumeble - CV and Resume Writing Service to give my resume a refresh. I used the time I would have taken on a Sunday morning to work on my resume, to hang with my family instead.

I secured my previous job with Resumeble's help, so I didn't hesitate to use their resume writing service again the next time around. Aside from my resume, I contracted them to work on my cover letter and LinkedIn Write-Up. Three of my friends have also benefitted from their service. Their responsiveness as well as the quality of their work never fail to impress.

Resumeble - CV and Resume Writing Service is a resume service that I recently partnered with that first reviews your resume for free and after aligning what you are looking for job wise, they will partner you with a professional writer. The best promise about Resumeble is that you will get an interview within 60 days and will continue to work with you on your resume until you’ve been selected for an interview.

I kept reading about how applying for a job has become more complex these days. I didn't believe it at first, but when I couldn't get any response from the resumes I submitted, I knew I had to seek professional help. Their free evaluation tool let me know that I was doing plenty wrong with my resume with regards to layout, keywords, and other areas. A great resume service to work with!

I've checked out resume writing services in the past, and the results varied from disappointing to downright frustrating. From the resume packages to the add-on services, Resumeble's exemplary work is the standard that the rest should follow. It's also worth mentioning that their prices are reasonable, given the impressive results that they produce with high consistency. Theirs is the only resume service that I recommend to my grad students.

I finally gave it a try to have my resume professionally written, and I'm glad I did. My writer was diligent in checking if I was happy with the changes to my resume, and very patient in explaining the details that were not clear to me. This resume writing service made me feel that I shouldn't expect nothing less than the best from them, and the end result speaks for itself—my resume got me a coveted position in a Fortune 500 company.

I have been working in the gig economy for a few years and was looking to make it back to the corporate world. I thought my years away from an office was going to be a problem in my resume, but Resumeble successfully turned my perceived weaknesses into strengths. Their writer was articulate, accommodating, and certainly knew her stuff. I can't thank your resume service enough for facilitating the return to my chosen career.

I liked the idea that I was speaking directly to a writer instead of a sales rep, and the fact that the writer was in constant contact with me throughout the process. Prompt, transparent, and affordable—these guys make it their mission to ensure satisfaction guaranteed. I would gladly use their resume writing service again. I rate them an easy 10 out of 10.

Need help deciding how to move forward ?

Career advice.

Posted On : 13 Sep 2024

Posted On : 03 Sep 2024

Posted On : 19 Jul 2024

Posted On : 26 Aug 2024

Posted On : 29 Jun 2022

10 Best Resume Writing Services for 2024

22 min read

Every month, there are over 5,000 searches for phrases like "best resume writing service."

You’ll find results for local and national options, as well as professional resume writers in different industries.

While browsing the listings, you’ll notice hundreds of companies and freelancers offering resume writing services that appear to be quite shady. Since your resume can get your foot in the door and help you land the right job, it’s important to select a quality service that gets you results.

To help take the guesswork out of choosing the right resume service for you, our team of career experts researched more than 200 resume services for job seekers in the US and Canada. This post discusses our top picks, as well as an overview of each resume service.

At the end of this post, we have some valuable advice about how to tell if other service reviews are legitimate.

Top resume writing services

CareerPerfect

Capstone Resume Services

iHireFinance

ResumeSpice

Before you buy: how to find legitimate service reviews

This list does not include any affiliate links or paid placements.

Should you use a local or national service?

While searching for resume services, you will find both national and local results. The only time you would choose to use a local service is when you are meeting the writer face to face.

The majority of local services will work with you virtually (not in person) so you may be better off hiring a national company that has access to a wide network of writers and an  ATS resume test  built into the process.

We found that the average cost of a quality resume is around $157 . This number doesn't reflect add-on offers like LinkedIn profiles, career advice, or cover letter services.

Pricing : $139 – $299

Turnaround : 3 to 7 days

Writers : 100+ professional resume writers with backgrounds in HR, Fortune 500 recruiting, career coaching, job placement, and professional writing.

Industries : 65+ industries including Business, Finance, IT, Healthcare, Sales, Marketing, and more.

View Services

You didn't think we were going to put a different service here, did you? Yes, our team may be biased...but we also live and breathe resume writing, so we know why our service is top-notch.

ZipJob uses a tech-informed, expert-designed protocol to create resumes that appeal to hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems : the same technology used by more than 90% of employers to screen and parse resumes.

ZipJob’s resume writing services are designed for companies hiring in the USA and Canada, which is where all of the writers are located. Most companies use applicant tracking systems to manage and sort through job applicants. A single job post averages 250 applicants, so the ATS helps employers keep track of those applications.

However, the ATS has another important job: filtering out the resumes that don’t meet the pre-set requirements. On average, applicant tracking systems filter out 75% of the resumes submitted. Here are the most common reasons applicants get rejected automatically:

Improper resume formatting

Incorrect use of keywords

So if the ATS can mistakenly reject otherwise qualified candidates, what does that mean for you? That's exactly what ZipJob is here to help with.

Resume writers experienced in resume keyword optimization add an extra step at the end of the process to ensure your new resume will be parsed correctly by an ATS scan.

Pros of using ZipJob

Professional writers  — ZipJob only hires professional resume writers with experience and ATS training.

60-Day interview guarantee — ZipJob guarantees that you’ll get at least 200% as many interviews or we will rewrite your resume for free.

ATS technology —  ZipJob uses the same ATS technology employers use to help ensure every resume gets through to a hiring manager.

Direct communication  — One of the few services that allow you direct, unlimited access to your personal resume writer until your project is complete.

Reputation  — ZipJob’s reputation speaks for itself. ZipJob has been featured in  Forbes ,  Reader’s Digest ,  Marketwatch ,  Glassdoor ,  The Muse , and other big-name media outlets. ZipJob is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. In addition, ZipJob has earned more than  800 five-star reviews and 10,000+ happy clients.

A ZipJob review

"I spent a lot of time researching resume writing services. That was quite a feat and stressful with everything out there. I finally decided on ZipJob...After several revisions we hit on a resume that appears to be working. Prior to my latest revision I had sent out close to hundred resumes and had one interview. I've put out about another 40, and I've had movement in making it past the ATS system to pretesting with 2 jobs and an initial interview with another job. Considering this is the holidays and we're in a pandemic I'm heartened by the response. Thank you ZipJob and Julie!" -Floyd, verified ZipJob customer

Note: this review was edited slightly for length and clarity.

How ZipJob works

Upload your resume and answer a few questions. If you don't have a current resume, these questions will help your writer get started on your new resume from scratch.

Get matched with a resume expert in your field who will overhaul your resume. Each project focuses on ATS-friendly formatting, keyword optimization, and value-focused language.

Collaborate directly with your writer through multiple revisions until you're satisfied with your resume. 

Approve a final draft. This will trigger the last step in ZipJob's resume writing process: the ATS resume test . Your new resume will go through our in-house system to ensure that your resume will pass through recruitment software used by more than 90% of employers.

Start using your new resume and watch your interview requests triple!

You can contact ZipJob by phone at (888) 944-9929 or via live chat from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. You can also email customer service any time at  [email protected] .

2. LinkedIn

Pricing : $250 – $700+

Turnaround : 3 to 14 days

Writers : 100+

Industries : All industries including Finance, IT, Healthcare, Marketing and more.

Most people use LinkedIn to search for jobs and career-related information. However, many are unaware that it offers a “service marketplace” called LinkedIn Services (formerly LinkedIn ProFinder) for interviewing, career coaching, and resume writing.

Technically, yes, this is a platform and not a resume writing service. However, we are rating this option highly because LinkedIn takes steps to ensure its pros are legit. For example, each professional submits an online application that must be approved by LinkedIn, and past client reviews are readily available for anyone considering a certain resume writer.

Pros of using LinkedIn

Time efficient  — Receive proposals quickly from your potential resume writer.

Person to person  — Pick from a number of resume critique and expert review professionals whom you want to work with, based on their LinkedIn profiles and other information they provide.

Cost effective  — Since these are resume critique and expert review freelancers, the prices may be more competitive than a company. Still expect to pay $150+ for a quality resume, but know that your money is going directly to your writer.

Local options  — You can opt for local-only professionals, making this a great option if you feel strongly about meeting with your resume writer in person.

Speaking of LinkedIn, do you know  how to include your LinkedIn URL on a resume ? Most employers will look you up on LinkedIn before interviewing you anyway, so it's common to include a link to your profile in your resume's contact section.

Working with LinkedIn

Answer a couple of questions about the services you’re looking for.

Within 24 hours (and likely much sooner), get up to 5 proposals from professionals on LinkedIn’s list. Each proposal will include a price quote.

Research and select your resume writer. Every writer will have a different system to process from there.

LinkedIn helps you find freelance resume writers, but doesn’t have a company-wide standard for resume writing. Instead, you should look into multiple freelancers based on their proposals and pick the resume style you like best as not all freelancers are created equal.

If you need any help, LinkedIn offers a concierge team, which is essentially tech support and customer service for hiring a pro. You can use live chat or a contact form to reach out.

3. TopResume

Pricing : $149 – $349

Turnaround : 7 to 14 days

Writers : 1,500+ professional writers including certified career coaches, recruiters, and experienced hiring professionals.

Industries : All industries including Military transition, Academic, and Federal resumes.

This list would not be complete without TopResume. TopResume is technically one of our direct competitors, but any list of the best resume writing services would be incomplete (and misleading) if we omitted them. Their writers do great work--as evidenced by their Trustpilot reviews --and the company does belong on this list.

One of the most common questions is if TopResume is legit. The answer, from our professional perspective, is that they are legit. Look at real reviews on unbiased review sites and check out our tips later in this article on how to spot a resume writing service scam.

TopResume’s website includes many compelling statistics about working with a professional resume writer. According to its research, a professionally written resume makes you:

38% more likely to be contacted by recruiters 

31% more likely to land an interview

40% more likely to land a job

Pros for TopResume

Large, well-established company  — TopResume was founded in 2014 by Jeff Berger and has a network of 1,500+ resume writers across the country as well as an international network through their sister brand, TopCV , specializing in professional CV rewrites.

History of success  — According to its website, TopResume has helped 600,000+ professionals “land more interviews and get hired faster.” You can check out some of their success stories here .

Positive reviews  — Given how big it is, TopResume has had the opportunity to help thousands of people. It has more than 7,000 five star reviews on Trustpilot .

TopResume review

"Fantastic service that gave 100% to get my resume in a professionally formatted, scan friendly format / content - saw great increase in activity from headhunters and recruiters post TopResume’s assistance. My professional writer was intelligent, understood my personal situation and desired objectives - and delivered the goods!" -Joseph, TopResume customer

Working with TopResume

Upload your resume and get matched with an expert writer from its vast network.

Collaborate one-on-one with your writer via TopResume’s dashboard to revise your resume.

Receive a resume tailored to your goals.

TopResume guarantees that you’ll receive two times more job interviews or they’ll rewrite your resume again one time, free-of-charge.

There is also the option to add on a phone call for an additional fee--otherwise, your communication happens online. If you need to contact the company, you can email them at  [email protected]  or call 800-604-1929 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on weekdays. There is also have a live chat option from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

4. The Muse

Pricing : $119 – $1,699

Turnaround : 4 to 7 days

Writers : 80+

Industries : All industries including HR/recruiting, fitness/health, and fashion.

The Muse offers a different model to provide resume help. Instead of a text-based collaboration, The Muse has a resume review coaching service that includes a resume update. Depending on the coaching service you purchase, you get 30, 45, or 60 minutes for a video call or phone call with your career coach.

Pros of using The Muse

Highly interpersonal  — If you are looking for a conversation about your resume, this coaching service is a great option.

Lots of options  — The Muse has a wide network of experts in a range of fields. Mentors, coaches, and master coaches are vetted and backed by The Muse.

Working with The Muse:

Choose a service such as “Resume Review” coaching, “Resume and LinkedIn Review” coaching, or the “Ultimate Job Search” Kit.

Book a coach, based on filters like your industry and years of experience.

Schedule your coaching call. Your coach will contact you within one business day of your booking.

After your coaching session, you will get an updated version of your resume that is designed to be “eye-catching” and “ATS-beating.” Depending on your service, you may get one, two, or unlimited rounds of edits within a two week time period.

This is a highly personalized service, so you need to do your research before picking a coach. If you have any problems with your service, you can contact the company at  [email protected]

Pricing : $129 – $349

Turnaround : 2 to 5 days

Writers : 50+

Industries : All industries including Finance, IT, Healthcare, Marketing, and more.

Although Monster is primarily a job board, it also offers resume writing services. Like many of these resume companies, there are tiers of services with additional add-ons for cover letters and LinkedIn profiles.

Monster stands out as a recruiter-focused resume writing service. Based on their decades of job searches and working with recruiters to source talent, their resumes are easy for recruiters to filter and scan.

Pros of using Monster

Established  — Monster has been around for 20+ years and has earned a positive name recognition.

60-day guarantee  — If you aren’t completely satisfied with your resume or other products, you can get it rewritten for free.

Additional services  — Monster has a job board so you can take your new resume and upload it quickly to apply for jobs.

International reach  — Monster provides services for the US and Canada as well as the UK, France, Germany, and The Netherlands

A review of Monster

"I had the pleasure of using Monster to update my resume and cover letter. They asked relevant questions, formulated a concise and thoughtful resume and cover letter that played to my strengths and goals. The thing most worth noting was that I felt like a person in my industry wrote my resume - as she was able to extrapolate all the necessary verbiage as it specifically related to my experience and field. It was a very positive experience - one that landed me my first interview within my field that will take me in the direction that I was hoping to pivot into."

-Joann, verified Monster customer

How it works

Upload your resume and answer additional questions via a brief questionnaire.

Get a resume draft with additional keyword opportunities.

Provide feedback for up to one revision.

Monster resume writing services have limited revisions: only one draft and one revision. The modes of communication with your writer is also limited to text-based messages through email. They don’t offer phone services.

If you’re having trouble communicating with your writer, you can email  [email protected]  or call Monster at (978) 461-8000 . Its website also has a live chat function that can connect you with a real person within a few minutes.

6. CareerPerfect

Pricing : $179.95 – $499.95

Turnaround : 4 to 5 days

Writers : 5+

Industries : All, including Federal, Executive, and Entry-Level

CareerPerfect is an online resume writing service with additional cover letter, interview, job search, and career planning services. It offers resume writing services in four categories: student and entry-level, professional and mid-career, executive, and federal and military. Since CareerPerfect’s start over 30 years ago, it has helped plenty of job seekers with both advice and career services.

Pros of CareerPerfect

Global presence — Specializing in US employers, CareerPerfect has a global reach and partners with several high-profile career websites internationally.

Online career services pioneer  — CareerPerfect started offering career service online in 1996 and has been leading online career services ever since.

Editing service  — In addition to CareerPerfect’s resume writing services, you can also opt for a resume editing service from a professional.

Working with CareerPerfect

Place your order using several payment options including PayPal and most major credit cards.

Provide information by uploading your previously prepared materials or CareerPerfect’s SkillNet tool to identify additional accomplishments and strengths.

Develop your document with the help of a professional resume writer.

Have a keyword-rich personal marketing document in 4 to 5 business days.

CareerPerfect advertises that its team is made up of only US-based writers with four-year college degrees, and collectively have expertise in over 90 industries. The company is a member of the Career Management Alliance as well as the National Employment Counseling Association.

For resume writing inquiries, you can call  1-877-844-5724  between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET. You can also email the support team or your resume writer from within your account after logging in.

7. Capstone Resume Services

Pricing : $149 – $299

Turnaround : 5 to 7 days

Industries : All industries, including Professional, Academic, and Federal.

Capstone Resumes offer a variety of specialized resume services, such as Federal and Executive Level resumes. The company was started by Amy Giles, who has been writing resumes since 2003. Capstone Resumes was formerly called Gies Career Services, but now specializes in the resume writing portion of the business.

Pros of using Capstone Resumes

Conversation-first approach — Capstone Resume services begin with a 15 to 30 minute phone call, instead of the questionnaire approach most companies use.

Certified writers  — The resume writers are introduced with a photo and a certification on the Capstone website. Each member is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with a different background.

Specializations  — Certain resumes, like Executive and Federal, require specialized formats. Capstone Resumes has different payment options for their resume services, as opposed to the more common tiered approach. With the team’s background in HR, recruitment, and the U.S. Navy, it is likely these formats are effective.

Quick delivery time  — Many positive reviewers mention how they received their resumes with 1 to 3 days of their initial phone consultation.

Easy to contact — Amy, the owner of Capstone Resumes, makes her direct email very easy to find. She appears to be quite responsive and open to revisions to ensure client satisfaction.

Working with Capstone Resume Services

Schedule a phone consultation–you can upload your resume at the same time.

Purchase the services you need, selecting your resume format as well as any additional cover letter or LinkedIn services.

Work with your writer to finalize your resume.

You can reach the company by phone at  (650) 445-5301  or through the contact form on its website. You can reach Amy directly at [email protected].

8. iHireFinance

Pricing : $395

Industries : Finance

iHireFinance is a niche job board that focuses on open, vetted opportunities in the financial sector. The resume services they offer integrate well with their job board service.

Because it was built for finance professionals specifically, iHireFinance is a great option for budget analysts, equity traders, tax managers, and all finance specialists. The writers are educated, certified, and trained in modern resume writing especially for finance.

In addition to their resume writing service, iHireFinance has a separate cover letter service. If you only need help with a cover letter instead of a resume/cover letter bundle, this is a good option.

Pros of using iHireFinance

Made for the finance industry — iHireFinance is hyper-focused on people and companies in the financial services industry. 

Optional membership — With a membership, you get a discount on the writing services as well as access to a handy iScore Resume Match tool to use on the job board.

Formatting service — In addition to iHireFinance’s resume writing services, you can also opt for just a resume formatting service to improve the design of your existing resume. This is priced at $99.

Working with iHireFinance:

Create an account. Select a service from entry-level, professional, or executive resume services.

Complete a questionnaire and upload your current resume.

Finalize your resume–your first draft should arrive within 5 to 7 business days–and work with your writer until you are 100% satisfied.

For resume writing inquiries, you can call (877) 840-6217 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET. You can also email the support team through a contact form on the website.

9. LiveCareer

Pricing : $99 – $299

LiveCareer started as a career test site in 2004 and eventually launched a resume builder and a professional resume writing service. It is one of the largest resume builders around, with over 10 million resumes created for people in 180 countries.

In addition to its resume writing service, LiveCareer has a separate cover letter writing option. If you only need help with a cover letter instead of a resume/cover letter bundle, this is a good option.

Pros of using LiveCareer

Established  — LiveCareer has been around longer than most resume services, and features a large network of writers and career experts.

Global  — LiveCareer is headquartered in New York City, and has offices in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. While its employee information on LinkedIn states that most of its workers are located in India, the resume writers seem to be located mostly in the US.

Large resume database  — LiveCareer has 700,000 resumes from various locations, industries, and roles that you can filter and search.

More than just resumes  — This career service company also has a mobile app, job apply tool, job board, and salary calculator.

Working with LiveCareer

Choose from three resume services based on your career stage.

Answer a few additional questions about your background.

One-on-one optional consultation with your writer, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes based on the package you purchased.

Receive your completed resume within 3 business days.

LiveCareer offers many services in addition to the resume writing services. It’s one of the most popular choices for resume building.

If you need to contact the company about your resume services, you can reach customer service by phone at (844) 485-4050 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m CT. There is also a live chat service if you have an account login, or you can email the team at [email protected].

10. ResumeSpice

Pricing: $479-699

Turnaround: 2 days (first draft)

Writers: 5+

Industries: Multiple industries, with services targeting everything from entry-level resume needs to resumes for professionals and executives.

ResumeSpice was launched by a team of recruitment professionals who wanted to create a dynamic job service firm that offered first-class coaching for job seekers.

ResumeSpice’s team of experienced resume writers focuses on crafting expert-level resumes that are designed to pass screening from Applicant Tracking Systems , while delivering the compelling content job seekers need to capture the attention of hiring managers and recruiters.

The company also provides career coaching services to assist job seekers in navigating an increasingly complex job search environment. Their certified experts are there to offer free consultations on resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, optimization of LinkedIn profiles, and more.

ResumeSpice writers utilize the industry’s best practices for resume creation, relying on formats that consistently attract hiring managers’ attention. They are experts in utilizing keywords in an optimal manner, ensuring that the end results can pass those ATS screenings.

While they are one of the newest and costliest services on our list, reviews suggest that ResumeSpice yields the results needed to justify the expense.

Pros of using ResumeSpice

Expert writers and coaches— ResumeSpice’s team is comprised of certified resume specialists and career coaches with years of experience in their field.

60-Day interview guarantee — ResumeSpice provides a guaranteed interview within 60 days, or they will “make it right.”

ATS— ResumeSpice is committed to ensuring that every resume they create has the optimization needed to satisfy any ATS.

Direct communication —ResumeSpice offers a direct line of communication for you to consult with your resume expert, including up to two revisions of the resume.

Reputation — ResumeSpice has been featured by MarketWatch, the Job Network, and the Houston Business journal, and has helped clients land jobs at companies like Nike, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and Charles Schwab.

A ResumeSpice review

"Caitlin was amazing!! I was changing careers after being in the financial industry for 24 years. She revamped my resume, provided amazing cover letters explaining my transition and also provided me with a Thank You letter and updated my LinkedIn profile. Caitlin totally got me and made me look like a superstar/qualified candidate!!

I worked with Kathy on my Interview skills since I hadn't interviewed in 24 years, to say I was rusty was an understatement lol. Kathy provided me with helpful documents and amazing answers to interview questions I found to be annoying and difficult. Kathy gave me the confidence to nail my interviews!! TOTALLY worth the money!!”

- Donna, ResumeSpice customer

How ResumeSpice works

You start by choosing your preferred resume option, as well as any supplemental services you need like interview prep, cover letters, etc.

ResumeSpice will then email you with a short questionnaire link and a link to help you schedule your consultation.

At your consultation, your resume expert will work with you to identify your career needs and gather information for your resume or other products.

With that information, your writer will create your personalized resume and deliver the draft copy to you within two days.

At that point, you get to review the document and make any requests for modifications. You have up to seven days to make those change requests, and can have revisions made a total of two times.

Once the revision process is completed, you receive your finished resume in both Word and PDF formats.

If you ordered any other services, those are completed only after your resume is finished.  

You can contact ResumeSpice by phone at (832) 930-7378 or using live chat at their website. For more information, you can email them at [email protected].

There are many professional resume writing services to choose from, such as the 10 on this list. Since there is no shortage of fraudulent services out there, do your due diligence before giving your private information to a less than reputable company.

The best resume writing services have good examples, positive reviews, and responsive customer service teams. Remember that resume writing services are mainly digital today, so you don’t need to limit your search to local options. When in doubt, however, keep in mind that if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

We hope this article helps you pick the best resume writing service for your career goals. Good luck with your job search!

What to read next:

How Much Should a Resume Writing Service Cost?

Hiring a Resume Writing Service | Is it Worth the Money?

Caitlin Proctor, CPRW, Certified Professional Résumé Writer

Caitlin joined the ZipJob team in 2019 as a professional resume writer and career advisor. She specializes in strategic advice for executives, career pivots, and remote workers. Read more resume advice from Caitlin on ZipJob’s blog .

Our resume services get results.

We’ve helped change over 30,000 careers.

Get a free resume review today

Our experts will review your resume’s grammar, layout, and ability to pass ATS — all free and delivered straight to your inbox.

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Career Planning
• Finding a Job

Best Executive Resume Writing Services

Advance your career with a laser-targeted branding package

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Executive resume writing services can help professionals land top-salary positions with a resume, cover letter, and personal branding package targeted to their skills and goals. Most are run by former executives or recruiters who know exactly what it takes to compete in the upper echelons of the executive world.    

According to professional resume writer Mary Elizabeth Bradford, only 10% of executive positions in the $300K+ range are advertised online. A laser-targeted resume and a well-polished executive bio can help an executive get discovered by recruiters and headhunters, giving them a leg up on the competition.

We reviewed over a dozen executive resume writing services and chose the best based on experience, personalized service, career support, cost, and more. Here are our top picks. 

The 7 Best Executive Resume Writing Services

• Best Overall: Career Steering
• Runner-Up, Best Overall: The Writing Guru
• Best Customer Service: TopResume
• Best for Experienced Executives: Briefcase Coach
• Best for ATS Software: ZipJob
• Best for C-Suite Executives: CEO Resume Writer
• Best Value: Capstone Resume Services
• Our Top Picks
• Career Steering
• The Writing Guru
• Briefcase Coach
• CEO Resume Writer
• Capstone Resume Services
• See More (4)

Compare Services

• Methodology

Best Overall : Career Steering

 Career Steering

Work directly with Rosa

Comprehensive approach with graphics, LinkedIn, etc.

À la carte resume service

Four-week turnaround, or more

No interview guarantee

Career Steering was founded in the early 2000s by Rosa Elizabeth Vargas, a certified resume writer and career coach with a background as a senior-level executive. For over 20 years, the company has been providing boutique resume writing services for C-suite executives, general counsels, and board-level leaders. We chose it as the best overall because it offers personalized, one-on-one resume consulting and writing as well as career branding.

Every resume is written by Rosa herself with editing, research, and preliminary preparation done by one of her certified, executive resume writing assistants.

Clients start by choosing an executive resume service package, then email their career documents (resume, cover letters, LinkedIn profile, etc.) and fill out an executive career assessment. From there, Career Steering schedules a 60- to 90-minute writing session to map the resume branding strategy by phone, Skype, or Zoom. 

Because clients work directly with Rosa, the turnaround time for a completed resume is four plus weeks with back-and-forth consultation as needed. Career Steering’s most basic package includes a resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile optimized for search .

In addition to the packages listed below, Career Steering also offers à la carte resume writing services that include a one-hour resume branding phone session, resume branding and value proposition, career assessment personal branding questionnaire, and two rounds of edits and edit phone calls, all for $1,695.

Package	Cost	Features
	$2,295	Branded executive resume with custom graphics (3 formats: Word, PDF, and ASCII), LinkedIn profile and SEO optimization, Job-focused cover letter (2 formats: Word and ASCII), Job search handouts
	$2,795	All 180° Career Acceleration Executive Branding Package features, Modern bio with custom graphics (3 formats: Word, PDF, and ASCII)
	$3,995	All 270° Brand Reputation Executive Branding Package features, LinkedIn development and SEO optimization, Customized LinkedIn background, Distribution to recruiters and venture capital, Networking resume or personal branding video, Thank-you letter, Unlimited email communications

Runner-Up , Best Overall : The Writing Guru

 The Writing Guru

Plenty of experience writing resumes

Focused on senior attorneys, executives, and board leaders

Plenty of coaching and consulting time

Turnaround time can be relatively long

Relatively expensive

The Writing Guru was founded in 2010 by Wendi Weiner, a professional writer with a long career as a college professor and lawyer. Wendi is recognized as a top executive resume writer and has been published in major media outlets including HuffPost , Forbes , and Thrive Global . We chose The Writing Guru as our runner-up because it offers the most one-on-one time with each client.

The Writing Guru focuses its services on senior attorneys (general counsels), senior executives, and C-suite/board leaders. Wendi handles each project from beginning to end and doesn’t outsource any work to a subcontractor or another writer. Projects typically take over 15 to 20 hours and include more than three hours of coaching and consulting.

Using an existing resume review, an extensive questionnaire, and a one-hour interview process, Wendi digs in to craft a resume tailored to the career objectives and experience of each client and a detailed cover letter that emphasizes their credentials and accomplishments. Wendi updates her clients on the progress of their resumes and will ask additional questions and request more information on follow-up calls if needed.    

The Writing Guru offers tiered packages focused on the type of professional served. Due to the focus and attention Wendi gives to each client, the typical turnaround for a resume and cover letter package is 14 to 21 days.

C-Suite, General Counsel, BOD, International Execs

Package	Cost	Features
	$2,695	Executive resume (includes two rounds of revisions), Unlimited email support (after the project is complete), Master cover letter, Pre- and post-strategy calls
	$3,595	All Standard Resume Package features, Full LinkedIn profile makeover and strategy call
	$4,995	All Premium Resume Package features, C-Suite/Board Bio
	$8,495	All Premium Branding Package features, Thank you letter, Networking e-note letters, One-page networking resume and interview coaching call

Senior Executives, Executive Managers, Business Leaders

Package	Cost	Features
	$2,395	Executive resume (includes two rounds of revisions), Unlimited email support (after the project is complete), Master cover letter, Pre- and post-strategy calls
	$3,095	All Standard Resume Package features, Full LinkedIn profile makeover and strategy call
	$4,195	All Premium Resume Package features, C-Suite/Board Bio
	$7,895	All Premium Branding Package features, Thank you letter, Networking e-note letters, One-page networking resume and interview coaching call

Best Customer Service : TopResume

Relatively simple signup process

Inexpensive (lowest package is $149)

Quick response

Attentive resume writer and clear communications

The length of the Summary and Job Scope sections on our resume was rather long

The Training section wasn’t highlighted enough

Founded in 2014, TopResume boasts a network of over 1,200 writers, certified career coaches, recruiters, and experienced hiring professionals with experience in over 65 industries. We chose it as the best customer service because it offers a free resume review and a free rewrite of resumes it creates that don’t generate twice the number of job interviews.   

TopResume uses a unique approach to the resume writing process, combining the knowledge of its resume writers with feedback from resume-scanning software that filters applicants based on keywords. This dual approach ensures that resumes created by the company satisfy both humans and the machines that sift through resumes before passing them on.

TopResume’s certified resume writers collaborate with each client to deliver the first draft of a resume within about a week. Clients have another week to offer feedback to the writer and receive up to two rounds of revisions. The entire process normally takes one to two weeks.  

In addition to its paid resume writing services, TopResume lets users upload a copy of their resume for a free review that includes feedback on the layout, how the resume communicates skills and expertise, and personalized recommendations for improvement. The company will also rewrite a client’s resume if it doesn’t double the number of interviews within 60 days. 

Package	Cost	Features
	$149	Professionally written resume
	$219	Professionally written resume, Custom cover letter, Sixty-day interview guarantee
	$349	All Career Evolution Package features, LinkedIn makeover

Best for Experienced Executives : Briefcase Coach

 Briefcase Coach

Experienced resume writer

Job search assistance

Turnaround time: 7 business days

Short consultations in lower-tier packages

No LinkedIn branding in lower-tier packages

Briefcase Coach is the creation of Sarah Johnston, a former corporate recruiter and development professional who has helped executives move up the ladder with professional resumes and career coaching. We chose Briefcase Coach as the best for experienced executives because it offers tiered resume writing packages based on the needs of each client.

Although Briefcase Coach also offers resume writing services for graduates and non-executive professionals, its experience in the latest trends of the recruitment process and applicant tracking system (ATS) software allow it to offer executives support in branding, networking, and interviewing as well as resume writing.

Briefcase Coach clients start with a 60 to 90-minute intake and strategy interview with Sarah where she works to understand each client’s strengths, goals, and achievements. From there, she crafts a custom resume from scratch, typically spending an average of 12 to 20 hours per resume. Turnaround time from consultation to final draft is typically seven business days. 

In addition to resume and cover letter writing, Briefcase Coach also helps executives improve their skills in networking, personal outreach, navigating LinkedIn, and even handling job searches and interviews.        

Beyond the executive resume writing packages offered below, Briefcase Coach also offers à la carte pricing with an executive resume as a standalone product starting at $1,300.

Package	Cost	Features
	$1,500+	60-90 minute consultation, Custom resume, Custom cover letter
	$2,000+	Two 30-minute job search coaching calls, One-hour interview coaching call, Executive bio, Email and text support
	$2,799+	LinkedIn profile branding, One-hour mock interview (recorded), Thirty minutes of LinkedIn training, Email and text support

Best for ATS Software : ZipJob

Easy signup process

Insightful testimonials on their website

Resume’s Skills area contained strong keywords

Resume draft was delivered on time

Design and format made reading the resume difficult

Education and Training sections were poorly formatted

After learning that his wife’s resume was being filtered out by automated resume screeners, Michael Krikheli created ZipJob in 2017 to help job seekers build resumes that make it through the filters to real recruiters. We chose it as the best for ATS software because it focuses on creating keyword-optimized resumes that will land more interviews.

ZipJob asks users to either upload an existing resume or answer some questions to create one from scratch. From there, a dedicated writer works with each client to build a properly formatted resume that highlights their skills and goals. Writers communicate with their clients through the entire process, asking questions and getting clarification along the way.          

All of ZipJob’s resume writers are experienced in resume keyword optimization to ensure that every resume has the best chance of being scanned and accepted by automated screeners. Once a resume is written, the writer will scan it through ATS software and adjust it as needed. 

ZipJob claims that its optimized resumes get their clients two to three times more interviews. It backs this up with a 60-day interview guarantee and will offer a free rewrite of a client’s resume if it doesn't generate more interviews after 60 days. 

ZipJob  offers three packages:

Package	Cost	Features
	$139	A professionally written resume from an experienced writer, Keyword optimization to pass ATS scanning software, 1-on-1 communication with your writer
	$189	Everything from Launch plus, Cover letter, 60-Day interview guarantee
	$299	Everything from Fast Track, LinkedIn update, Expedited delivery

Best for C-Suite Executives : CEO Resume Writer

Comprehensive service

Only higher-tier packages include consults with Mary Elizabeth

Having built a successful recruiting business in the 1990s, Mary Elizabeth Bradford launched her personal brand in 2008 and more recently rebranded to CEO Resume Writer. Today, her team of certified resume writers offers boutique resume writing services to executives across the globe. We chose it as the best for C-suite executives because it helps them make high-level career transitions with professional resumes, personal branding, networking, and more.

CEO Resume Writer offers directors, VPs, CxOs, and board members both executive resume packages and the option of working directly with Mary Elizabeth herself. In addition to providing its clients with resumes, the company also helps them find a clear focus of direction and lock down some concrete strategies for reaching their career goals.

Clients who choose one of CEO Resume Writer's lower-tier executive resume packages won’t be working with Mary Elizabeth herself, but with one of her certified executive resume writers and coaches. All packages include a resume, a value proposition letter, digital storage, an executive thank-you letter, and three of Mary Elizabeth Bradford’s bestselling Career Artisan guidebooks.    

CEO Resume Writer's VIP packages are for high-earning executives looking for private coaching during executive transitions. Many corporations and private equity firms also use these services to outplace their top executives. 

CEO Resume Writer offers multiple packages ranging from one-on-one consulting with Mary Elizabeth to working with her team of certified executive resume writers. The company also offers à la carte “resume only” services for $2,979.

Package	Cost	Features
	$2,697	Executive resume Value proposition letter Digital storage Executive thank you letter template Three Career Artisan guidebooks
	$3,979	Executive resume, Two value proposition letters, Digital storage, Executive thank you letter template, LinkedIn profile design and optimization, Executive recruiter distribution, Thirty-minute Power Coaching session, The Job Search Success System
	$4,979	Executive resume written specifically for BOD roles, Value proposition letter, Digital storage, Executive thank-you letter template, LinkedIn Profile design and optimization, Executive recruiter distribution, Board of Directors special report and tip sheet, Executive biography
	$5,979	Executive resume Second one-page networking resume Three customized value proposition letters Digital storage Executive thank you letter template Reference testimonials LinkedIn profile design and optimization
	$8,997	Private strategy coaching session (two hours, live or via phone), Email access to Mary Elizabeth Bradford for 90 days, Three 30-minute phone calls

Best Value : Capstone Resume Services

Relatively inexpensive

Add-on services like cover letters and LinkedIn profile updates

Fast turnaround times

Capstone Resume Services was created by Amy Gies who has written resumes for and coached over 7,000 clients worldwide. The company offers one-on-one consultation to ensure that its clients’ resumes match their target jobs. We chose it as the best value since it offers basic and affordable resume writing with add-on services to suit the needs of any client.

Rather than starting with a questionnaire like many other services do, Capstone offers each client a one-on-one personal consultation to discuss career goals, work experience, and achievements. From there, a certified professional resume writer will work to create a custom, targeted, keyword-optimized resume that will get the attention of ATS , hiring managers, and recruiters.

Rather than offering tiered pricing packages, Capstone keeps things simple and relatively affordable. Clients can choose to start with just a consultation and resume and add cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, resume distribution, and executive bios. The typical turnaround time for an executive resume is three to four business days and includes two revisions if necessary.

Package	Cost	Features
		$449	Personal resume consultation Delivery within three to four business days of consultation (two revisions included) Deliverable documents in editable Microsoft Word and PDF formats
			Add cover letter ($75), Add LinkedIn profile ($299), LinkedIn profile and cover letter ($349), Resume distribution service ($299), Executive biography ($399)

Service	Cost
	$2,295–$3,995
	$2,395–$7,895
	$149–$349
	$1,500–$2,799+
	$139–$299
	$2,597–$8,997
	$449+

Frequently Asked Questions

What are resume writing services.

Resume writing services help job seekers craft a resume, cover letter, and sometimes LinkedIn profile that showcases their skills and helps them stand out above the competition. Since most resumes are filtered by automated resume screeners, known as applicant tracking systems (ATS) , good resume writers also ensure the documents they create make it through to an actual person.      

Ideally, resume writing services should be run and staffed by certified resume writers who understand exactly what employers and recruiters are looking for with any given profession or job title. This in-depth knowledge allows resume writers to help an executive climb the ranks of the C-suite.  

How Do Resume Writing Services Work for Executives?

Executive resume writers start with a detailed interview process and questionnaire to understand every skill, accomplishment, and goal of an executive looking for a new position. From there, they build a professional resume targeted to the client’s career goals to help them rise above the competition and land more interviews.  

How Much Do Executive Resume Writing Services Cost?

Due to the level of expertise required, executive resume writing services can be considerably more expensive than other resume writing services . Competition at the top can be fierce, so writers who get results often work one-on-one with a limited number of clients to create truly customized and targeted resumes that will catch the eye of key decision-makers. 

Many of the services we reviewed offered specialized, executive-level resume writing packages for a one-time fee between $1,350 and $8,997. These packages include a one-on-one interview with either the company owner or a certified resume writer, a cover letter, some level of career consultation, and email support for three to six months. Higher-tier packages tend to offer a LinkedIn profile rewrite, a professional bio, and even resume distribution to executive recruiters. 

Is Using a Resume Writing Service Worth It?

Although many top executive positions aren’t advertised or only advertised internally within a company, a professionally crafted resume can help executives apply to their dream companies and possibly edge out the internal competition. What’s more, a keyword-optimized resume and LinkedIn profile can help executives get discovered by headhunters and hiring managers.

How We Chose the Best Executive Resume Writing Services

We looked at over a dozen executive resume writing services for this review. At the top of our list were firms with extensive experience and a long track record of success. Services that offered one-on-one consultation with the business owner also caught our eye since that kind of personalized relationship can result in the most targeted and customized resume.

We also looked at providers that offered additional services, including optimizing LinkedIn profiles, writing executive bios, distributing resumes to recruiters, and career counseling. Finally, we looked at executive resume writing services that paired best practices with technology to ensure every resume makes it through ATS software to a real decision-maker.

The success of an executive staying in their current role or climbing through the ranks of the C-suite can rest on the quality of their resume and online profile. Since a new executive position can result in a $5,000 to $100,000 salary increase, paying a professional resume writer who knows the ins and outs of executive hiring can be the best investment of an executive’s career.

Ngampol Thongsai / Getty Images

LinkedIn. " 10 Top Executive Resume Writing Services Share Expert Resume And Job Search Tips For 2020 ."

TopResume. " What's an ATS-Friendly Resume? ."

The opinions expressed are solely those of Find My Profession. Click to see our Advertising Disclosure.

Best Resume Writing Services in San Francisco 2024

We've compiled a list of the best resume writers in San Francisco, California. Compare costs and reviews for the top resume writing services.

2024 Winners: Add your badge to your marketing materials.

The City by the Bay is an exciting and vibrant place to be looking for work.

The question is, how will you stand out in such a competitive market?

It all starts with your resume. Your resume has about six seconds to impress a potential employer and get you into the “yes” pile.

What you need is a top San Francisco resume writer by your side.

There are lots of professional resume writing services available in the Bay Area. But after sifting through them, you’ll be as gloomy as Karl the Fog.

We compiled this list of the top SF area resume writers to help you find the right partner for your job search.

Best San Francisco Resume Writers

Best resume services in san francisco.

How We Choose Winners

Each of the San Francisco resume services below was reviewed by a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) taking into consideration the following:

The cost of the service compared to other San Francisco resume writers.

The speed at which the resume is completed.

Overall experience, awards, and certifications.

The design, style, and overall look of the resume.

Guarantees, number of edits, and reviews.

This list was hand-curated to serve all industries, professions, and career levels. While many of the writers on this list are from San Francisco, these services are virtually available whether you are in San Francisco, Oakland, San Mateo, Richmond, Santa Rosa, or any other California city.

Average San Francisco Resume Cost

Top san francisco resume writing services.

Find My Profession

Find My Profession is much more than a resume writing service. They are a global career services company whose work has been featured on sites like Forbes, Inc., Zety, Fast Company, and more.

With their team of elite resume writers who have experience in over 85 industries and professions, they can match you with a writer who understands your unique background and experience. Additionally, every resume comes with a one-on-one phone consultation with your writer.

Find My Profession has an impressive track record of successfully landing clients jobs at top companies such as Apple, Amazon, EA, Oracle, GM, Facebook, DoJ, Morgan Stanley, and Tesla.

Their 900+ 5-star reviews speak to their commitment to delivering high-quality service. They also offer a 60-day interview guarantee and ensure that every resume created is Applicant Tracking System (ATS) compatible and highly customized to meet your specific needs.

You will work one-on-one with an elite and certified resume writer based in the U.S. Find My Profession is committed to ensuring that every client is 100% satisfied with their resume, which is why they do not limit the number of edits or time spent working with your writer.

Find My Profession is a virtual company allowing them to provide services worldwide. While they do not have a physical office for in-person visits, they ensure direct communication with your writer through email and phone calls.

4.9/5 based on 521 Trustpilot reviews 4.9/5 based on 319 Sitejabber reviews 4.9/5 based on 151 Google reviews 5/5 based on 52 Facebook reviews

3 – 5 business days (can expedite to 2 business days)

$395 – $995

(831) 888-0967 or [email protected]

Check out some of our 5-star reviews:

Resume & linkedin profile, terrific experience, exceptional resume, findmyprofession helped me, excellent job, 10/10 service & experience, highly recommend, incredible work.

ResumeZest is trusted by professionals from companies like Google, Amazon, Apple, Oracle, GE, Adobe, Uber, and Facebook. Their resume writing team has written resumes for more than 75 industries. A 60-day interview guarantee backs up every resume they write. Each resume is also ATS compliant and keyword-optimized.

ResumeZest is a very well-rounded company. They offer affordable pricing and quick turnaround times. You will work with a high-quality, certified writer and receive excellent customer service. They are also members of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC).

ResumeZest is one of the newer companies on this list. While they do a great job and their writers have many years of experience, the company was only founded in 2020.

4.8/5 based on 175 Trustpilot reviews 4.8/5 based on 93 Google reviews 4.9/5 based on 91 Sitejabber reviews 5/5 based on 12 Facebook reviews 5/5 based on 4 Yelp reviews

$279 – $479

(888) 530-4911 or [email protected]

Need Help With Your Job Search?

Did you know there are companies you can hire to help with your job search? Whether you need resume help or want someone to apply to jobs for you, we’ve reviewed the 20 best companies to help you find a job.

BrightSide Resumes

BrightSide Resumes is a Bay Area resume service run by Cliff Flamer. Cliff has been writing resumes since 1998. He is a former Silicon Valley recruiter and multi-credentialed resume writer. He knows how to create winning resumes. Cliff is also a proud winner of the “World’s Best Resume Writer” competition.

Cliff personally works with all his clients. He is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW). He was also invited to join the CPRW exam review board.

The service is usually booked 2-6 weeks ahead. So, you will need to check their availability while placing your order. Also, they do not offer any interview guarantees.

4.8/5 based on 127 Yelp reviews 4.9/5 based on 38 Google reviews 5/5 based on 2 Facebook reviews

5 – 7 business days

$625 – $1675

(510) 444-1724 or [email protected]

Ignite Your Potential

Ignite Your Potential is yet another promising resume writing service in Silicon Valley. The service has multiple experienced resume writers and coaches who will surely help elevate your resume. And, dare we say, ignite your potential.

Ignite Your Potential’s team includes professionals experienced in HR and recruiting. You have the option to choose your resume writer based on their background and pricing.

While this company has great resume reviews, it does not seem to be their primary focus. Their primary focus is on career and life coaching services.

4.9/5 based on 87 Yelp reviews 4.8/5 based on 13 Google reviews

$200 – $950

(415) 343-4658 or [email protected]

Resume Preferred

Resume Preferred lives by the motto, “Know your value. Show your worth.” The founder of the service, Robin Kelley, has been helping job seekers show their worth for over 10 years. Robin has corporate working experience with GE, Whole Foods, and San Francisco-based recruiting firms.

The consultation is an in-depth, 90-minute, one-on-one conversation, with no questionnaires. It’s aimed at identifying your strengths and what makes you stand out from the pack.

The turnaround time is lengthy compared to other services. Also, there are no resume samples to review on the website. The prices are on the higher end of the spectrum.

5/5 based on 8 Yelp reviews

10 – 15 business days

(415) 596-4160 or [email protected]

Ward Resumes

Ward Resumes is operated by dynamic duo Christopher Ward and Ava Ward. They have 3 offices and operate out of  San Francisco, San Diego, and Henderson. Chris is a former HR manager who manages each resume project. Ava, on the other hand, is the head writer who hires and trains resume writers.

Each resume is proofread by a second resume strategist. The company merges business experience, graphic design, and hiring principles to create your resume.

The website doesn’t provide any details about the staff resume writers. Also, the company doesn’t offer any interview or satisfaction guarantees.

5/5 based on 17 Google reviews 5/5 based on 2 Yelp reviews

$150 – $1200

(619) 796-1811 or [email protected]

Is Your Resume Working Properly?

If you are having trouble landing interviews, it might be time to hire a professional resume writer. Check out our #1 pick for the best resume writing service.

Heidi Howell Marketing

Heidi Howell Marketing is based near San Francisco and has a loyal client following. Heidi is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). She spent 10 years as a global marketing writer and corporate editor prior to starting the company. This means you can count on a high-quality resume – and work directly with the owner.

Heidi Howell Marketing serves clients in the Bay Area and across the country and has many 5-star reviews. Each resume is “handcrafted” for the individual, is ATS friendly, and backed by a satisfaction guarantee.

Heidi Howell Marketing conducts all business via phone, email and text. There is no option to choose resume services directly from the website. To get started, you must contact Heidi for a consultation.

5/5 based on 23 Yelp reviews 5/5 based on 17 Yellow Pages reviews

10 business days

$149 – $799

(209) 597-5597 or [email protected]

Resumes by Allan Brown

Resumes by Allan Brown is a Bay Area local company founded in 2004 by Allan Brown. Allan clearly has a loyal following that makes him a worthy contender among the San Francisco resume writers. His services are completely customized to the individual allowing him to get to know each client’s unique needs.

You can meet your writer face-to-face in San Francisco. You can also give him a call directly for a free resume critique and a quote. Also, there are resume samples covering 15 different career fields on Allan’s site.

The website lacks detail about the writing process. For any information, you have to call Allan directly. Also, he doesn’t provide any interview guarantees.

4.8/5 based on 263 Yelp reviews 4.9/5 based on 57 Google reviews

3 – 5 business days

$325 – $450

(415) 346-6737 or [email protected]

The Resume Shop INK

The Resume Shop INK was founded by Jerome Imhoff in 2009. Jerome has outstanding credentials such as a Master of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Arts in English, and a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certificate. This established resume writing service is based in San Francisco.

You can access multiple resume samples from their website. Jerome has 10+ years of experience writing resumes. Also, the company offers minor resume updates completed free of charge for 90 days.

There’s no option to buy the resume package directly from the website. You have to contact the service to get a custom quote and start the process.

3.9/5 based on 80 Yelp reviews 4/5 based on 4 Google reviews

$275 – $500+

(415) 613-7975 or [email protected]

Working Girl’s Resume Service

Working Girl’s Resume Service is a professional resume writing service in San Francisco, CA with Aisha Spearman as its chief writer and owner. Aisha is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with over 10 years of experience in writing resumes. She also provides additional services including career coaching.

Each package includes two rounds of revisions. Aisha provides custom packages to meet every individual resume needs. She can also work with you on an hourly basis.

Aisha offers rush services but for an additional $100 fee. She also provides a 15-minute free consultation, but you have to fill out a questionnaire to schedule one. Also, there are no resume samples to review on the site.

5/5 based on 24 Facebook reviews 4.9/5 based on 20 Google reviews 4.5/5 based on 9 Yelp reviews

10 – 15 working days (can expedite)

$225 – $475

(415) 580-7345 or [email protected]

Recommended Career Advice For You

How to Add Your Job Title to Your Resume

LinkedIn Services Marketplace Review [Cost + Customer Reviews]

How to Manage Your Expectations During the Job Search Process

• Resume templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Resume examples Nurse Student Internship Teacher Accountant View all
• Resume Builder
• Cover Letter Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Cover letter examples Nursing Administrative Assistant Internship Graduate Teacher View all
• Cover Letter Builder
• Resume Help

Our top 10 best resume writing services

There is no rule to say that you must write your own resume . 

It should sound like you, it should contain accurate career stories, and it should convey your potential fit with your future role, but you can ask someone else to help you to craft your story. Someone that has written hundreds or maybe thousands of resumes before.

Why wouldn’t you take advantage of such experience?

Well, the truth is, it can be hard to make the right choice of resume writing partner. The companies in this article all have a track record of success, but no one resume writing service is the same. Do you want a cover letter with the resume? Maybe you want your LinkedIn profile tweaked? Can you wait three weeks for it or do you need it tomorrow? Would you prefer to be involved in the writing or would you rather that did it for you to the best of their judgment? So many important questions to answer.

Here are ten of the top resume writing companies with an overview of their core services:

ResumeSpice

Let’s eat, grandma, resume writer direct, resumewritingservices.org.

• ResumesPlanet

Take your time in your choice - don’t just rely on this article. Have a look at their websites, read their recommendations and browse some samples. No one resume writing company is the same. Good luck with your choice.

Top Resume employs expert writers from specialist fields who deploy the latest ATS technology to help craft a winning resume. Job seekers fill in an introductory questionnaire and there are up to two rounds of feedback with the selected writer. The process takes roughly two weeks to complete.

Top Resume is most suitable for mid-senior career professionals with special services for federal employees, ex-military personnel and academics. For those who require it, their sister company TopInterview offers interview coaching and career guidance.

1,500+ writers from 65 industries. 

Over 60,000 people hired with their resumes.

Resume Packages

Professional Growth - $149

Career Evolution - $219

Executive Priority - $349

Personalized free resume review (within two days)

Will rewrite resume within 60 days if no interview invites

Not ideal if you need multiple resumes for different roles

Cover letters and LinkedIn profiles only with top packages

The Muse is one of the leading websites for career advice – their articles go far beyond the usual boilerplate job search advice. They take much the same approach with their resume service – leading with advice and guidance as well as an updated resume. This mix of human interaction plus writing assistance is an ideal blend, although you should be pretty set in your career ideas or the (brief) chat can lack the required direction.

The service only offers one writing edit with its basic package, although there should be a certain degree of certainty after the in-person chat. There is no satisfaction guarantee. The Muse also offers other coaching packages for different job search situations – the quality of their career coaching is up there with the best.

Over 40 career coaches from different backgrounds.

Uniquely detailed preparation for resume coaching.

Mentor - $119

Coach - $225

Master Coach - $479

Initial face-to-face coaching helps candidates to think for themselves.

You can choose your mentor – you are in charge of the process.

Not for candidates who want someone to write their resume for them.

A broader chat with a career coach may be a better option.

For a thorough resume writing service that has thought of everything, look no further. For some, ResumeGo may even be too thorough. They won’t get started before you have filled out a questionnaire and had an initial consultation and the 14 days of unlimited revisions may even get you second guessing yourself multiple times. Surely it is easier for a resume writer to just write it so you can get on with things? Well, no, their service is superb.

Writing resumes since 1998, ResumeGo is best suited for private sector employees. They have particular expertise in writing resumes that can pass the corporate ATS test. Their writers are market leading and their customer service is on point. Data-driven keyword optimization will ensure that your resume impresses in all the right ways.

Multiple opportunities to make changes to the work (over a fortnight).

Additional services of cover letter, thank you letter and extra resume.

Premium - $290

Professional - $360

Executive - $600

Case studies will help to rebrand the resume and career search strategy.

Money back guarantee and amazing opportunities to shape the work.

The process can take some considerable time – not ideal if you are in a rush.

Cover letters are not included in the basic plan. See additional services.

Rated at #1 on Trustpilot for resume writing, ResumeSpice was developed by a Harvard MBA and a team of top recruiters to address every aspect of the resume writing service. They offer in-person, virtual or phone consultations (unlike many competitors) and every resume is checked by at least two career consultants. 

They pride themselves on a swift but quality service (first draft in two days), which is important for any unexpected career opportunities that might come up. They offer career coaching and career assessments as well as resume / cover letter writing.

Lots of reviews from executive job seekers – take pride in a customized approach.

Initial samples allow a candidate to see the extent of the potential transformation.

Entry Level - $449

Professional - $569

Executive - $689

60-day interview guarantee allows for complete candidate satisfaction.

They are owned by a leading recruitment company – they understand the industry. 

The service is one of the more expensive options – not ideal for a recent graduate.

You cannot choose which coach to work with – slight lack of flexibility in the process.

ZipJob is a solid resume writing service for an early or mid-career professional who wants a well-written resume on a budget. Founded in 2016, they are one of the newer providers on the market, but their focus on ATS-friendly resumes (they test them before they send them back) allows a candidate to have peace of mind from this point of view.

They offer good value for the cost and pride themselves on getting their resumes read by a human (according to them, 3 out of 4 resumes never get that far). They stand behind their service with one of the most generous guarantees in the market.

100+ resume writers, 33,000+ careers impacted, 1,000,000+ reviews received.

Get twice the number of interviews or ask for your money back (before 60 days).

Launch - $139

Premium - $299

Executive - $899

A resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile update with the top package – good value.

Focus on keywords, ATS requirements and format details – no detail is too small.

Communication is mostly via a messaging service – and resume edits are lacking.

The executive service is one of the more expensive, but nonetheless popular.

Ready to craft a resume that catches the attention of recruiters? A Google doc resume template can give you a head start. Keep reading and we’ll help you decide whether it’s your best bet for success.

Punctuation and attention to detail matters when crafting an impactful resume. Starting with the name of the company, no detail is overlooked when you work with Let’s Eat, Grandma . Every writing package involves a chat with your personal resume writer (who in turn works with mentors and senior-level editors) with multiple revisions.

All packages include a cover letter - it can be useful to have it written at the same time as the resume. They have chosen not to work with federal or academic resumes (as they have different requirements). They offer a helpful sample of previous work to aid your decision.

Founded in 2014. Offers resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles & career advice.

Market leading consultation from experienced career coaches.

Starter - $399

Accelerated - $509

Premium - $649

Extra revisions are perfect for the job seeker who isn’t quite sure about their messages.

Excellent process for communication – easy to share feedback with the writers.

The service is very involved, but somewhat slow (can be up to 3 weeks).

The basic package is expensive, so may be only suitable for mid-senior professionals.

There are many questions for a job seeker to answer early on in their search and one of the big ones is: which resume builder do I choose?

With 11 million resumes submitted each year, Monster has the data to understand what makes a good job search document. The market leading position for 20 years means that they have invested in a candidate-first resume writing service. The quality of writing is right up there, the process is streamlined, and the results are enviable. 

The keyword-optimized resumes are written by experts in the candidate’s industry, with cover letters and LinkedIn profile makeovers in higher-tier packages. Every Monster writer is a certified professional and they are given excellent ongoing training & development.

Overall career guidance and research alongside the writing packages is second to none.

They are a job board, so they understand technology and ATS requirements.

Basic - $129

Deluxe - $169

Premier - $349

Monster resume writers have a brand reputation for quality. 96% satisfaction.

Resumes are delivered swiftly (5 business days) with a free rewrite within 60 days.

Cover letters are not included in the basic plan (cover letter is $40 - still affordable).

Some of the resume design choices are dated and they only provide Word documents.

Resume Writer Direct is one of the smaller players in the resume writing market, but their attention to detail and cost-effective provision is worth considering. They have different packages depending on seniority and your desired combination of resume, cover letter or LinkedIn profile. With a basic package for an early career professional starting at $99, they are one of the more affordable providers.

They offer a simple returns guarantee – you can ask for a rewrite or get your money back. Check out their samples to see how they go about structuring their resumes.

They have helped 5,417 people land interviews since 2011 (with a smaller team than others).

Resume Writer Direct creates corporate resumes as well as for nursing, federal and military.

Resume Packages (entry level to executive)

Basic - $99-$199

Essential - $138-$238

Complete - $217-$317

Because they are a smaller company, they can be more “hands on” with each candidate.

Resume Writer Direct will pair you up with specialized writers in your industry.

The selection of resume templates is somewhat limited and not very modern.

They do not have the laser focus on ATS optimization that other providers boast.

When a resume writing service offers you unlimited calls (yes, calls) with its writers until they get your resume right, you have to sit up and take notice. Thankfully for ResumeWritingServices , one call is often enough. Their writers are that good. They are certified by all the industry bodies and take care to write a resume that will pass the ATS test and impress any hiring manager. They also offer optional interview coaching.

Their service is easy to use, and they are clear about how to gain the most value from working with them. Their service may not be geared towards executives, who may wish to pay more to work with one of the industry leaders.

They only work with the top 2-3% of resume writers who apply to work with them.

Resumes are finished in around a week (Word & PDF). Turnaround is relatively quick.

Basic - $270

Various add-ons (cover letter, LinkedIn, etc)

The no-limits contact policy really allows for a tight and specific writing brief.

The basic resume package is less affordable for an entry-level job seeker.

Whether you have 2 or 20 years of experience, the service and process is identical.

Your resume may be the most important page you write in your life. Follow our top 20 resume writing tips to make yours a success.

Resumes Planet

With 10,700+ happy customers and counting, Resumes Planet is one of the smaller providers, but their full range of services is worth considering. Their live chat facility immediately sets about answering any questions and unlimited revisions ensures that you are fully content with the end result.

They offer packages for resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile writing, with over 200 writers on their roster to cover every industry eventuality. They will even help to distribute the resume to employment agencies (although this is maybe not to be advised).

Dizzying array of service choices – with all products available with a 24-hour turnaround.

The 24/7 customer support can be useful if there are any last-minute resume issues.

Resume Packages (for resume, cover letter and LinkedIn)

Entry-Level - $154

Professional - $200

Executive - $252

You can choose the speed of service (you pay more for a swifter delivery).

Very wide variety of services, including specialty IT/Tech resumes.

No phone contact with the writers may make the experience a little disjointed.

You may spend a lot of time revising the resume rather than getting it right the first time.

Key takeaways

If you are in the market for a resume writer, you must be sure that your investment is going to be worthwhile. Take the time to look at samples from each provider and don’t just go with the one with the most Trustpilot reviews. Each has their own unique set of expertise. Hopefully the list above has offered some insights. 

Don’t forget the following when selecting your ideal resume writing service:

• Make sure that they have writers that are experienced in your industry.
• Would you like them to also write your cover letter and LinkedIn profile?
• Read the terms and conditions carefully – especially any guarantee provision.
• Ask for a Word document and a PDF if possible (you may need both).
• Ensure that they have expertise in writing ATS-friendly resumes .

You go as far as your resume… …and our resume service makes sure your resume goes far

• Money Back Guarantee
• Unlimited Revisions
• Keyword Optimized
• Industry Specific
• 1-on-1 Consultation

How We Do It

See how we go about taking your resume to the next level.

Real Recruiters and Career Experts

We're comprised of recruiters, career experts, and industry professionals who have actual hiring experience.

How We're Different

Designed to make sure your new resume is the best one yet.

1-On-1 Time .

Our writers take the necessary time to learn about your career goals and what you'd like to see in your new resume.

While other resume services only have you filling out a form, you'll be working directly with our writers. They'll set up an initial consutlation with you to discuss your resume concerns and answer any sort of questions you may have.

Unlimited Revisions .

Our writers are here to help every step of the way. Even after you've been sent your new resume, they'll be glad to continue providing revisions and updates to for up to 14 days.

Money Back Guarantee .

Try our services risk-free. We offer money back guaranteed, no questions asked for up to 14 days.

Get the resume you want or your money back. We offer a money back guarantee policy for up to 14 days after you receive your new resume from your writer.

Research-driven leader in the industry

The studies we conduct have pioneered the way career experts approach the job search process.

“Study: A Comprehensive LinkedIn Profile Gives A 71% Higher Chance Of A Job Interview [Infographic]”

“How many pages should your resume be? Here’s the science”

“Recruiters are more than twice as likely to hire people who ignore this common piece of resume advice”

“Job Applicants With a ‘Comprehensive’ LinkedIn Profile 71% More Likely to Get Interviews, Study Says”

“You Can Overcome a Long Gap in Your Résumé”

Ready to level up your resume?

Every great job opportunity requires a great resume to seize it.

• Resume Writing Services
• LinkedIn Writing Services
• Cover Letter Writing Services
• How It Works
• Resume Writers
• Sample Resumes
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• Resume Research
• Best Resume Services
• Scholarships

Over 700 (5) Star Reviews Over 1,600 LinkedIn Endorsements Read Our Core Values

RESUME ETC. BLOG

Resumes since 1991.

• Google Reviews
• Over 500 Testimonials
• Our Core Values
• Our Credentials
• Our Process
• Articles & Awards
• Why Choose Us?
• Affordable Pricing
• Your Resume
• Resume Writing
• LinkedIn Profiles
• Outplacement
• Leadership Coaching
• Career Counseling
• Business Plans
• Resume Checklist

Local, Caring and Personalized Service

CONTACT US LOCALLY

Spend 5 Minutes with us on the phone before calling another agency or visiting another website. We will assure you that you have come to the right place.

SEND US YOUR RESUME FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

203.562.1491

860.275.0909

203.353.1933

203.268.5636

914.908.5232

919.926.7029

704.771.1282

910.338.4198

843.804.4131

New Haven, CT:

Hartford, CT:

Stamford, CT:

Milford, CT:

Trumbull, CT:

White Plains, NY:

Raleigh, NC:

Charlotte, NC:

Hampstead, NC:

Charleston, SC:

We recognize that every customer is unique. This includes their needs, concerns, fears, goals, aspirations, passions and dreams. They differ on skills, education, salary requirements and more. We take the time to get to know each customer so that our services and solutions are customized to meet their needs. This is a nurturing process, not a cookie cutter approach.

We have been in the Resume Business since 1991

Cover Letters

& More...

Resumes Etc. was selected by the United States Marine corps to instruct retiring Marines on how to transition to the private sector.

THE HONOR FOUNDATION

Read Our Blog

A great resume starts with a conversation:

Andrea Tholen • Sep 6, 2024

Forget these online cookie cutter/ basic resumes. They just don't work. We take the time to know everything about you. We want to know your skills, experience, your fears, your concerns, your passions and dreams. We then customize a resume and cover letter that is personalized and aligned with your goals. This is the only process that works...

How do I identify the best resume writing service?

Andrea Tholen • Sep 4, 2024

It's actually quite simple. Whatever field you are in, test the writer's knowledge of that job and industry . Our writers are MBA's, former fortune 500 executives, MBA professors, authors and consultants to CEO's.  Whatever field you are in, our writers have expertise about your occupation and industry. Just prepare some tough questions for a...

How we help our clients to change careers:

Andrea Tholen • Sep 2, 2024

Changing careers has to be done right, following a proven process rather than a rushed and panic driven approach. We take the time to know our clients, their fears, their concerns, their passions and their dreams. We then take a detailed skills inventory to determine the occupations and industries where their skills are transferable. We then...

Changing Careers?

Andrea Tholen • Aug 30, 2024

Doing it right is a process. Here are the steps we follow: 1) We assess your skills to determine the careers where you can make a successful transition. 2) We provide you with data on salaries for each of these potential career choices. 3) We determine your passions and what you want from your next career. 4) We then package you on paper so...

Alfred (Fred) Mariani,MBA  has been a fortune 500 executive, MBA professor, author and designer of over 30 executive leadership programs. His programs have been presented to a diverse audience including corporate executives, NYC school superintendents,  area police chiefs, and many others. He has partnered with universities and created executive leadership programs where attendees received continuing education credits...

LEADERSHIP COACHING at its BEST

Read Fred Mariani's Profile

LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool to reach a large audience and to advance your career through Online marketing.  However, LinkedIn limits you to 500 words, which equals approximately 1 minute of ...

Professionally

Written Profiles

" I grew up in a poor Italian Family in New York and lived my entire life in Westchester and Connecticut. My parents were members of the greatest generation. They lived their faith, loved their country, and they were totally selfless. Their priorities were their children, their family and their friends. They took little for themselves and gave what they could spare to others. I learned and lived these values my entire life and I incorporate them into our business philosophy. Every customer is a member of our extended family, to the point where many have become close friends. We take the time to know their fears, concerns, passions and dreams. We then align all of our skills and resources with their goals and we never give up until they succeed. It may be old school, but it's a value system that has served us and our customers well. "

Resumes Etc. Core Values

~  Owner - Alfred Mariani

  Over 500 (5) Star Reviews

SEND US YOUR REVIEW

How to Make a Resume in 2024 | Beginner's Guide

For most job-seekers, a good resume is what stands between a dream job and Choice D. Get your resume right, and you’ll be getting replies from every other company you apply to.

If your resume game is weak, though, you’ll end up sitting around for weeks, maybe even months, before you even get a single response.

So you’re probably wondering how you can write a resume that gets you an interview straight up.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about how to make a resume, including:

• The 8 Essential Steps to Writing a Resume
• 11+ Exclusive Resume Tips to Up Your Resume Game
• 27+ Real-Life Resume Examples for Different Professions

….and more!

So, let’s dive right in.

How to Make a Resume (The Right Way!)

Before we go into detail about how you should make a resume, here’s a summary of the most important steps and tips to keep in mind:

• Choose a resume format carefully. In 99% of cases, we recommend the reverse-chronological format .
• Add the right contact details. Leave your headshot out and make sure to include your job title , a professional email address, and any relevant links. (E.g.: your LinkedIn profile , online portfolio, personal website, etc.).
• Write an impactful resume summary. Unless you’re an entry-level professional, always go for a resume summary. If you do it right, it’s your chance to get the hiring manager to go through the rest of your resume in detail.
• Pay attention to your work experience section. Take your work experience section from OK-ish to exceptional by tailoring it to the job ad, making your achievements quantifiable, and using action verbs and power words.
• Add the right skills for the job. Keep this section relevant by only including the hard and soft skills that are required for the position.
• Keep your education short and to the point. Your most recent and highest degree is more than enough for a strong education section. You only need to add more details here if you’re a recent graduate with barely any work experience.
• Leverage optional resume sections. Optional sections like languages, hobbies, certifications, independent projects, and others can set you apart from other candidates with similar skills and experience.
• Include a cover letter. That’s right, cover letters matter in 2024, and the best way to supplement your resume is by adding an equally well-crafted cover letter to your job application. To make the most of it, check out our detailed guide on how to write a cover letter .

To get the most out of our tips, you can head over to the resume builder and start building your resume on the go as you read this guide.

New to resume-making? Give our ‘7 Resume Tips’ video a watch before diving into the article!

#1. Pick the Right Resume Format

Before you start filling in the contents of your resume, you have to make sure it’s going to look good. 

After all, the first thing hiring managers notice is what your resume looks like, and then they start reading it. So, this is your best chance to make a great first impression.

Start by choosing the right resume format.

There are three types of resume formats out there:

• Reverse-chronological. This is by far the most popular resume format worldwide and, as such, it’s the best format for most job-seekers.
• Functional. This resume format focuses more on skills than work experience. It’s a good choice if you’re just getting started with your career and have little to no experience in the field.
• Combination. The combination resume format is a great choice for experienced job-seekers with a very diverse skill set. It’s useful if you’re applying for a role that requires expertise in several different fields and you want to show all that in your resume.

So, which one should you go for?

In 99% of cases, you want to stick to the reverse-chronological resume format . It’s the most popular format and what hiring managers expect to see. So, in the rest of this guide, we’re going to focus on teaching you how to make a reverse-chronological resume.

Fix Your Resume’s Layout

With formatting out of the way, let’s talk about your resume’s layout , which determines the overall look of your resume. 

Does it look organized or cluttered? Is it too short or too long? Is it boring and easy to ignore, or is it reader-friendly and attention-grabbing?

Here are some of the best practices you should apply:

• Stick to one page. You should only go for a two-page resume if you have decades of experience and you’re sure the extra space will add significant value. Hiring managers in big companies get hundreds of applications per job opening. They’re not going to spend their valuable time reading your life story!
• Add clear section headings. Pick a heading and use it for all the section headers so the hiring manager can easily navigate through your resume.
• Adjust the margins. Without the right amount of white space, your resume will end up looking overcrowded with information. Set your margins to one inch on all sides so your text fits just right on the page.
• Choose a professional font. We’d recommend sticking to a font that’s professional but not overused. For example, Ubuntu, Roboto, or Overpass. Avoid Times New Roman, and never use Comic Sans.
• Set the correct font size. As a rule of thumb, go for 11-12 pt for normal text and 14-16 pt for section titles.
• Use a PDF file. Always save your resume as a PDF file, unless the employer specifically requests otherwise. Word files are popular, but there’s a good chance they’ll mess up your resume’s formatting.

Another thing you need to consider in terms of your resume’s layout is whether you’re going for a traditional-looking resume template or something a bit more modern :

If you’re pursuing a career in a more traditional industry, like law , banking , or finance , you might want to stick to the first.

But if you’re applying to a tech company where imagination and innovation are valued, you can pick a more creative resume template .

Want to Save Time? Use a (Free) Resume Template

Anyone who’s ever tried creating a resume from scratch knows how boring the formatting can be.

Before you can even start filling in the contents, you need to tweak the margins, adjust font sizes, and make sure everything fits into one page while still looking good.

What if you could skip past all that and still create a compelling resume?

Try one of our free resume templates . They’re pre-formatted, so all you have to do is fill in the contents.

They’re also created in collaboration with recruiters from around the globe, ensuring that the templates are visually appealing and ATS-friendly!

See for yourself how one of our templates compares to a resume created in a standard text editor:

#2. Add Your Contact Information

Now that we’ve got all the formatting out of the way, let’s get into what your resume is all about— the information you put on it .

The first thing you want to do when filling out the contents of your resume is to add your contact information .

This section is pretty straightforward but crucial. Your contact details belong at the top of your resume in a designated resume header , so the hiring manager can easily find them.

Even if everything else about your resume is perfect, that all flops if you misspell your email address or have a typo in your phone number. If the hiring manager can’t contact you, it’s a missed opportunity.

So, double-check, and even triple-check your contact information section and make sure everything is factually correct and up-to-date.

Must-Have Information

• Full name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top of your resume.
• Email address. Stick to an address that’s professional and easy to spell, like a combination of your first and last name. (E.g.: [email protected])
• Phone number. Add a reliable number where the hiring manager can easily reach you.
• Location. Add your city and state/country. If you plan to relocate for the job or want a remote position, specify it on your resume.

Optional Information

• Job title. Add your professional title underneath. Write it down word for word, whether it’s “Digital Marketing Specialist” or “Junior Data Scientist.” Just don’t make up job titles like “Marketing Wizzard” or “Data Manipulator.” They’re not quirky; they’re just unprofessional. 
• LinkedIn profile . We recommend that you include a link to your updated LinkedIn profile since over 77% of hiring managers use the platform when evaluating a candidate. 
• Relevant links. Include links to personal websites or any social media profiles that are relevant to your field. For example, a developer could include a Github profile, while a graphic designer could link their Behance or Driblle account, and so on.
• Date of birth. Unless this is specifically required in the job ad, the hiring manager doesn’t need to know how old you are. It’s not important for their decision-making, and at worst, it might lead to age-based discrimination.
• Unprofessional email address. Your quirky, old high school email address doesn’t belong on your resume. Instead of [email protected] , go for a [email protected] type of address.
• Headshot. (USA, UK or Ireland) Depending on the country where you’re applying, it might even be illegal to include a picture of yourself on your resume . While it’s the norm to include a picture in most of Europe and Asia, always check the regulations for each specific country or industry you’re applying to.

All clear? Good! Now, let’s look at what a great example of a resume's contact information section looks like:

#3. Write a Resume Headline (Summary or Objective)

It's no secret that recruiters spend an average of less than seven seconds on a resume .

When you receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications daily, it's physically impossible to spend too much time on each.

So, what the hiring managers do to go through resumes more effectively is to skim through each resume and read it in depth only if it piques their interest.

This is where the resume headline comes in.

Placed right next to (or underneath) your contact information, this brief paragraph is the first thing the hiring manager is going to read on your resume.

Now, depending on how far along in your career you are, your resume headline can be either a resume summary or a resume objective.

So, how do you choose between a resume summary and a resume objective? Here’s all you need to know:

Resume Summary

A resume summary, as the name suggests, is a two to three-sentence summary of your career so far. If done right, it shows that you’re a qualified candidate at a glance and gets the hiring manager to give you a chance.

Here’s what your resume summary should include:

• Your job title and years of experience.
• A couple of your greatest professional achievements or core responsibilities.
• Your most relevant skills for the job.

Here’s an example of a well-written resume summary: 

Experienced Java Developer with 5 years of experience in building scalable and efficient applications. Contributed to a major project that enhanced application performance by 25%. Strong background in Spring Framework and microservices. Aiming to apply robust coding skills to develop innovative software solutions at XYZ Tech Solutions.

Unless you’re a recent graduate or amid a career change, we recommend you stick to a resume summary. Otherwise, a resume objective might be a better option for you.

Resume Objective

A resume objective is supposed to express your professional goals and aspirations, academic background, and any relevant skills you may have for the job.

It communicates your motivation for getting into a new field, so it’s the go-to headline for recent graduates and those going through a career change. As with a resume summary, a resume objective should be brief—around two to four sentences long.

So, here’s what it would look like if you’re a student:

Hard-working recent graduate with a B.A. in Graphic Design from New York State University seeking new opportunities. 3+ years of practical experience working with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, creating illustrations and UX/UI design projects. Looking to grow as a designer and perfect my art at XYZ Design Studio.

Or, on the other hand, if you’re going through a career change, it might look more like this:

IT project manager with 5+ years of experience in software development. Managed a team of developers to create products for several industries, such as FinTech and HR tech. Looking to leverage my experience in managing outsourced products as a Product Owner at Company XYZ.

#4. Prioritize Your Work Experience

The most important part of your resume is your work experience.

This is where you get to sell yourself and show off your previous accomplishments and responsibilities.

If you manage to master this section, you’ll know most of what’s there to know about how to make a resume.

There are plenty of good practices for writing your work experience . But before we dive into all the nits and grits, let's start with the basics.

The standard format for each work experience entry is as follows:

• Job title/position. Your job title goes on top of each work experience entry. When the hiring manager looks at your resume, you want them to know, at a glance, that you have relevant work experience for the job.
• Company name/location/description. Mention the name of the employer and the general location, such as the city and state/country where you worked. In some cases, you may also want to briefly describe the company, like when the organization isn’t particularly well-known.
• Dates employed. Add the approximate timeframe of your employment at each company. You don’t need to give exact dates since the standard format for this is mm/yyyy.
• Achievements and responsibilities. This is the core of each work experience entry. Depending on your field, you want to list either your achievements or responsibilities. List them in bullet points instead of paragraphs, so they’ll be easier to read.

Here’s a real-life example:

Your work experience entries should always be listed in reverse chronological order , starting with your most recent job and working your way back into the past.

Now that you know how to list your experience, we’re going to show you how to write about it in a way that makes you stand out from the competition, starting with: 

Are you a student with no work experience? We’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to writing a resume with no experience here.

Focus on Achievements Whenever Possible

One of the most common resume mistakes is only listing responsibilities in your work experience section.

Here’s the thing—in most cases, the hiring manager knows exactly what your job responsibilities are.

For example, if you’re a sales manager, your responsibilities would be:

• Reach out to potential clients over the phone or email.
• Maintain relationships with existing company clients and upsell relevant products.
• Tracking and reporting on leads in CRM.

Coincidentally, this is also the same list of responsibilities for every sales manager out there. So, 90% of all other resumes probably mention the same thing.

To stand out from the competition, you want to focus on writing achievements in your resume instead. These can be how you helped your previous company grow, reach quarterly quotas, and so on.

Let’s compare how responsibilities hold up next to achievements for the same job:

• Exceeded sales team KPIs by 30%+ for 3 months straight.
• Generated over $24,000 in sales in 1 month.
• Generated leads through cold-calling
• Managed existing company clients

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there just aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you’re a warehouse worker .

Your day-to-day responsibilities probably include:

• Loading, unloading, and setting up equipment daily.
• Packaging finished products and getting them ready for shipping.
• Assisting in opening and closing the warehouse.

In fields like this, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself through achievements, so it’s okay to stick to responsibilities instead. You can still make them shine by following the rest of our advice about listing your work experience.

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you work in a warehouse. Your day-to-day responsibilities probably involve:

• Loading, unloading and setting up equipment on a daily basis.
• Package finished product and get it ready for shipping.
• Assist in opening and closing the warehouse.

In such fields, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself, so it’s totally OK to stick to responsibilities instead.

Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Tailoring is what sets an amazing resume apart from an okay one.

Hiring managers don’t need to know about every single job you’ve ever worked at or every single skill that you have.

They only want to know about your jobs, experiences, or skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a job doing Google Ads, you don’t need to talk about your SEO internship from eight years ago.

By focusing your resume on whatever is important for the specific role, you’re a lot more likely to stand out and catch the hiring manager’s attention.

Let’s take a look at an example of a job ad:

As you can see, we’ve highlighted the most important requirements.

To tailor your resume accordingly, you just need to mention how you meet each of these requirements in your resume.

You can highlight your relevant achievements and qualifications in different parts of your resume, such as:

• In your resume summary, where you should recap your years of experience.
• Throughout your work experience section, where you should list achievements and responsibilities that reflect your social media marketing experience.
• In your education section, where you can let the hiring manager know you have the degree that they’re looking for.

Include the Right Amount of Work Experience

If you’ve got over a decade’s worth of work experience, you’re probably wondering whether all of it belongs on your resume. In most cases, you’d end up writing a novel if you listed everything you’ve ever done, and that’s not how long a resume should be .

If you’re new to the job market, on the other hand, you probably don’t have any experience, and you’re wondering what you could even add to this section.

So, here’s how much information your resume should include, depending on your level of experience:

• No experience. If you’re looking for your first job , you won’t have any work experience to fill this section with. So, you can either keep it empty and focus on all the other sections or fill it up with any experience gained in student organizations, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and other projects.
• Entry-level. List all your work experience so far. While some of it won’t be relevant, it can still show the hiring manager that you do have some actual work experience.
• Mid-level. Only mention relevant work experience to the position you’re applying for. There’s no need to waste space on jobs that aren’t related to what you’re after.
• Senior-level. List up to 15 years of relevant work experience, tops. If your most recent experience is as a marketing executive , the hiring manager doesn’t care how you started your career as a junior marketing specialist 23 years ago.

Consider Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software

Did you know that over 70% of resumes don’t even make it to the hiring manager ?

Most companies these days use ATS to evaluate hundreds of resumes instantaneously and automatically filter out the ones that don’t meet their criteria.

For example, if a resume doesn’t mention a specific skill or isn’t formatted correctly, the ATS will automatically reject it.

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to make an ATS-friendly resume .

Here are a couple of tips to help you get past those pesky robots:

• Stick to one page. Sometimes employers set a limit on how long a resume should be. This means that if your resume is longer than one page, it might get automatically disqualified.
• Incorporate keywords. Tailoring your resume to the job helps a ton with beating the ATS. Just carefully read the job description to find hints for what the ATS will be looking for. Then, whenever you find keywords related to your responsibilities and achievements, make sure to include them in your work experience section.
• Use an active voice. Passive voice is too vague and unclear, so make sure to use active voice as much as possible when describing your previous jobs. (E.g.: “Managed a team of ten people,” instead of “ A team of ten people was managed by me.” )
• Leverage powerful action words. Instead of starting each of your sentences with “was responsible for," make your work experience impactful by using words that can grab attention. Saying that you “spearheaded” or “facilitated” something sounds a lot more impressive than “helped.”

Want to make sure your resume formatting passes the ATS test? Choose one of our tried and tested ATS-friendly resume templates , and you’ll be good to go! 

#5. List Your Education

The next section on your resume is dedicated to your academic qualifications. Let’s start with the basics!

Here’s how you should format the education section on your resume :

• Program Name. Your major and degree type should be listed. (E.g.: “B.A. in Business Administration” )
• University Name. Add the name of the institution. (E.g.: “New York State University” )
• Dates Attended. Use a mm/yyyy format for the dates you attended. (E.g.: “08/2008 - 06/2012” )
• Location. If your university is less well-known, you can also add the location. (E.g.: “Stockholm, Sweden” )
• GPA. Use the appropriate grading system for the country you’re applying to work in. (E.g.: In the USA, it would be “3.9 GPA” )
• Honors. Add any honors and distinctions you’ve been given. (E.g.: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude )
• Achievements. You can mention interesting papers you’ve written, projects you’ve done, or relevant coursework you’ve excelled in.
• Minor. “Minor in Psychology”

Pretty simple, right? Now let’s see what an education section looks like in practice:

This example includes all the necessary information, plus an eye-catching award and relevant classes this candidate has taken.

Resume Education Tips

Now that you know how to list your education on your resume, let’s take this section to the next level.

Just follow these expert tips:

• If you’re making a resume as a student and don’t have any work experience yet, you can list your education section at the beginning of the page instead of work experience.
• You can add your expected graduation date if you’re still pursuing your degree.
• If you already have relevant work experience, just keep this section short and sweet. Recent graduates can expand on their education more and add optional information like projects, classes, academic achievements, etc.
• Always list your degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with your highest degree on top. Your highest and most recent degree is usually enough, so if you have a Master’s degree that’s relevant to the job, there’s no need to mention your earlier degrees.
• Don’t add your high school degree to your resume if you already have a university degree. It doesn’t have as much weight, and you can use the space for something else.
• Only mention your GPA if you had an impressive academic career. Anything below a 3.5 GPA doesn’t need to be on your resume.

Are you in the process of applying for college? Check out our guide to writing a college application resume to wow that admissions officer!

#6. Emphasize Your Know-How in the Skills Section

After your work experience, your skills are the first thing the hiring manager is going to look for. In fact, together, work experience and skills make up 90% of the hiring decision .

So, this is the place where you want to mention all the know-how that makes you the perfect candidate for the job.

There are two types of skills you can include when writing your resume:

• Hard Skills. These are measurable abilities. What you can list here can be anything from coding in Python to knowing how to cook Thai cuisine.
• Soft Skills. Also known as personal skills, these are a mix of communication skills , personal traits, career attributes, and more. They can include leadership, critical thinking, and time management , just to name a few.

Your resume should always cover both hard skills and soft skills . Here’s an example in action:

Now, let’s discuss how you should list your most important skills on your resume.

There are a few essential steps you need to follow:

Always List Hard and Soft Skills Separately

Your resume should be easy and neat to navigate. The hiring manager shouldn’t have to waste time looking for a specific skill because you didn’t separate it into the appropriate subsection.

So, just create separate categories for your hard and soft skills.

Depending on your field, you could customize the name of your “hard skills” subsection to something like “technical skills," “marketing skills," or something else related to your field.

Let’s look at an example of what skills look like on a project manager’s resume :

Methodologies & Tools

• Agile Methodology
• SCRUM Framework
• Waterfall Project Management
• Microsoft Project
• Critical Path Method (CPM)
• Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Risk Management

Soft Skills

• Team Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Negotiation

Tailor Your Skills to the Job

You might have some awesome skills, but the hiring manager only needs to know about the ones that are relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as an accountant, your gourmet chef skills shouldn’t be on your resume.

Look at the job ad and list at least two to three essential skills you have that are required for the role. Remember—there’s no need to list every skill you have here; just keep it relevant.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Graphic Design or a related field.
• Tech-savvy, with some background in CMS systems such as WordPress.
• Thrives in a stressful environment and juggles multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Self-reliant, with the ability to manage their own work.
• A can-do attitude and an outside-the-box thinker.
• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages.
• Basic understanding of Office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

So, the must-have hard skills here are Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages. Other good computer skills to have are WordPress or similar CMS systems.

While you can also mention Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, it’s pretty much assumed that you know how to use them since they’re required for most office jobs.

List Hard Skills with Experience Levels

For each hard skill you list on your resume, you should also mention your proficiency level. This tells employers what they can expect from you and how much training you might need.

• Beginner. You have some experience with the skill, whether it’s from some entry-level practice or classroom education.
• Intermediate. You’ve used the skill in a work environment with good understanding.
• Advanced. You’re the go-to person for this skill in your office. You can coach other employees, and you understand the skill at a high level.
• Expert. You’ve applied this skill to more than a handful of different projects and organizations. You’re the go-to person for advice about the skill, not just in your office but even amongst some of the best professionals in your field.

Just make sure to never lie about your actual skill level. Even if you get the job, once you need those skills you exaggerated, it will be pretty awkward for both you and your employer.

Include Transferable Skills

These are the types of skills that are useful for almost any job out there.

Transferable skills can be both soft skills (e.g.: teamwork, creativity, problem-solving skills, and others) and hard skills (MS Office Suite, HTML, writing, etc.)

Whatever job you’re applying to, chances are you have transferable skills from your experience that can come in handy one way or another. So, feel free to include them, even if they’re not specifically required for the position.

Not sure which skills to mention on your resume for your specific field? Check out our list of 101+ essential skills for inspiration!

#7. Leverage Optional Resume Sections

The sections we’ve covered so far are must-haves for any resume. They’re the bread-and-butter for any job application, and if you get them right, you’ll land any job you apply to.

But if you have some leftover space, there are a few optional sections you can choose from to give your resume a boost!

Are you bi-lingual? Or even better  – multi-lingual? You should always mention that on your resume!

Even if the position doesn’t require you to know a specific language, it can still come in handy at some point. At the end of the day, it’s always better to know more languages than less.

To list languages in your resume , just write them down and assign them the appropriate level:

• Intermediate

You can also use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scales.

As a given, you should never lie about your language skills. You never know—your interviewer might turn out to be fluent in the language or even be a native speaker!

Hobbies and Interests

If you want to spice up your resume, hobbies and interests could be just what you need.

While this section isn’t a game-changer, it can help the hiring manager see who you are as an individual.

For example, if you listed “teamwork” as one of your skills, hobbies like team sports can back up your claim.

And who knows? Maybe you and your interviewer have some hobbies or interests in common!

Volunteering Experience

If you’re the type of person who devotes their free time to helping others while expecting nothing in return, chances are that you’re the type of employee who’s in it for more than just the money. 

Seeing volunteer experience on your resume tells hiring managers that you’re a loyal employee who’s after something meaningful.

Several studies show that listing your volunteer experience can boost your chances of getting hired, especially if you have little to no work experience.

Certifications

Hiring managers love candidates who invest in themselves, and that’s exactly what they see when you list certifications on your resume .

If you value continuous learning and strive to expand your skill set, that’s always a plus.

Certifications can also show employers how much expertise you have.

For example, if you’re a Microsoft Cloud Engineer and you specialize in Microsoft Technologies, you should definitely include all essential certifications on your resume, such as the Azure Solutions Architect Expert one.

Awards and Recognitions

There’s no harm in showing off a little on your resume. After all, you want to be a candidate that shines above the rest.

So, if you’ve received any awards or recognitions that make you stand out in your field, make sure to add them.

For example, if you’ve been recognized for your contributions to data science or received a hard-to-come-by scholarship , mention it in your resume. Just keep your entries here relevant to the field you’re applying to.

Publications

Whether you’re a freelance writer or a distinguished academic, publications are always impressive.

If you have any published works (online or in an academic journal), you can add them to your resume. Just make sure to include a link so the hiring manager knows where to check your work!

Are you looking for a career in academia? Check out our guide to writing the perfect academic CV to get started!

Working on side projects can show off your passion for your field. Whether they’re university class projects or part-time entrepreneurial endeavors, they’re relevant.

For example, if you worked on a mock software product as part of a university competition, it shows you went through every step of product creation, from ideation to creating a marketing strategy.

This project also shows off your organizational skills , and if you mention it in your resume, you stand a better chance of landing the job you had your sights set on.

But projects can also be personal, not academic. For example, you might manage an Etsy store where you sell hand-made arts and crafts to customers online. This is a great opportunity to highlight your creativity, management, and customer service skills .

Overall, hiring managers love employees who do cool work in their free time, so projects are always a great section to add to your resume.

Looking to kickstart your career? Check out our guide on how to get an internship for useful tips and real-life examples!

Extracurricular Activities

Every college freshman knows that extracurricular experience can make a difference in their application.

Especially if you don’t have a lot of experience outside of school, extracurricular activities are a great way to show potential employers your skills and give them insight into you as a person. Different clubs and after-school projects can help you gain real-life skills and considerably increase your chances of landing your first job after college.

For example, joining a student government organization can hone your leadership skills and teach you how to work as part of a team.

For example, if you’re part of a student government or public speaking club, these activities can help you hone your leadership and presentation skills.

11+ Expert Resume Tips

You’ve got the gist of how to make a resume. Now, it’s time to make it really stand out from the crowd!

Follow these exclusive resume tips to take your resume game to the next level:

• Match the professional title underneath your name to the job title of the position you’re applying for. Hiring managers often hire for several roles at once, so giving them this cue about what role you’re after helps things go smoother.
• Mention any promotions from your previous jobs. Use the work experience entries for them to focus on the achievements that helped you earn them.
• Describe your achievements using Laszlo Bock’s formula : accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z . This way, your work experience can go the extra mile and show the hiring manager what you can bring to the table.
• Always list your achievements and responsibilities in concise bullet points. This makes your resume more reader-friendly, and it’s more likely that the hiring manager will see your impressive achievements at a glance.
• Don’t use personal pronouns like “I” or “me,” and don’t refer to yourself by name. Stick to a slightly altered third person, like “managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.” instead of “he managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.”
• Name your resume sections correctly, or it might get rejected by the ATS. Swapping out quirky names like “career history” or “expertise” for “work experience” and "skills" makes it easier for the hiring manager to find what they’re looking for, too.
• Prioritize important keywords instead of adding all of them. Make sure the relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences you add all make sense in context, too. Your goal is to get past the ATS and impress the hiring manager.
• Focus on transferable skills if you don’t have a lot of relevant work experience. Any extracurricular activities or personal projects can help you stand out here.
• Add a strategic pop of color to headings, bullet points, or key elements you want to highlight. It can help your resume stand out, but don’t overdo it—you want the information to be more impressive than the color palette.
• Don’t include the line “references available upon request.” Hiring managers already know they can request a list of references from you, so there’s no need to waste valuable space on it.
• Make sure your resume is optimized for mobile viewing. Most hiring managers use their mobile phones as often as desktop computers, so save your resume to a PDF file and make sure your formatting stays intact across any device.
• Rename the resume file you plan to send so it includes your name and the name of the position you’re applying for. It’s a small detail that can turn into a crucial mistake if you forget it.
• Read your resume out loud when you’re done. This is a great way to catch awkward phrases or spelling mistakes you might have missed otherwise.
• Use a tool like DocSend to track your resume. You’ll get a notification any time someone opens your resume, and you can see how long they spend reading it.

FREE Resume Checklist

Are you already done with your resume? Let’s see how it holds up!

Go through our checklist for perfecting your resume and see where you stand!

If you missed some points, just go through your resume one more time and perfect it.

And if you ☑’d everything—congrats! You’ve learned all there is to know about writing a resume, and you’re good to go with your job search.

Need to write a CV instead of a resume? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to write a CV with dozens of examples!

9 Resume Templates for Different Industries

Looking to create an effective resume without dealing with the formatting hassle? Just choose one of the templates below.

#1. Traditional Resume Template

Good for traditional industries like finance, banking, law, and manufacturing.

#2. Modern Resume Template

Good for both contemporary and forward-looking industries, including entrepreneurship, medical technology, and engineering.

#3. Creative Resume Template

Good for creative industries, including entertainment, design, and architecture. 

#4. Minimalistic Resume Template

Good for experienced professionals in basically any industry who want to let their achievements do the talking. 

#5. IT Resume Template

Good for any IT-related profession like software development, cyber security, and DevOps engineering.

#6. Tech Resume Template

Good for the tech industry and everything it encompasses.

#7. College Resume Template

Good for college students and recent graduates alike.

#8. General Resume Template

Good for multiple industries, including HR, education, and customer service.

#9. Executive Resume Template

Good for senior professionals across different industries, including hospitality, marketing, and logistics.

17+ Resumes for Different Jobs

Knowing how to write a resume is one thing, but making a resume that stands out is something entirely different. Without inspiration, even top career experts might stumble on a roadblock or two.

Check out the following effective resume examples for specific jobs to get a better sense of what a good resume looks like:

#1. Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a nurse resume here.

#2. Data Scientist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a data scientist resume here.

#3. Business Analyst Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a business analyst resume here.

#4. Digital Marketing Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a digital marketing resume here.

#5. Software Engineer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a software engineer resume here.

#6. Construction Project Manager Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a construction project manager resume here.

#7. Customer Service Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a customer service resume here.

#8. High School Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a high school resume here.

#9. Student Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a student resume here.

#10. Server Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a server resume here.

#11. Actor Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an actor resume here.

#12. Web Developer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a web developer resume here.

#13. Engineering Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an engineering resume here.

#14. Computer Science Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a computer science resume here.

#15. Architect Resume Example 

Check out our full guide to writing a data analyst resume here.

#17. Remote Job Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a remote job resume here.

#18. Sales Associate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a sales associate resume here.

#19. Receptionist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist resume here.

Want to see more examples? Check out our compilation of 80+ resume examples for different fields .

• Administrative Assistant Resume
• Bartender Resume
• DevOps Engineer Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Flight Attendant Resume
• Graphic Designer Resume
• Paralegal Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Recruiter Resume
• Supervisor Resume

Next Steps After Your Resume

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to make a resume, it’s time to talk about the rest of your job application.

After all, your resume is only the first step in your job search. To land the job you deserve, you also need to write a captivating cover letter and ace that upcoming interview. Here’s how:

#1. How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter

The companion piece to every resume is the cover letter.

Most job-seekers flinch when they hear that they have to write a cover letter. What do you even mention in a cover letter, anyway? If you were good at writing cover letters, you’d be applying for a job as a writer !

In reality, though, writing a cover letter is very simple once you know its purpose.

Think of your cover letter as a direct message to the hiring manager. It’s your chance to briefly explain why you’re such an awesome fit for the position. And with a few cover letter tips to point you in the right direction, you’ll write the perfect cover letter for your job application.

Just follow this structure:

• Add the contact details. Include the same contact information as on your resume, plus additional contact details for the hiring manager, including their name, job title, the company’s name, and location.
• Introduce yourself. Start your cover letter by mentioning who you are, what your work experience is, and why you’re interested in the position. Mention a standout achievement or two, relevant skills, and what you’d like to do for the company you’re applying for.
• Explain why you’d excel at the job. Find the requirements in the job ad that you meet, and elaborate on how you fulfill the most important ones. Research the company so you know what you like about it, and mention it in your cover letter. Make sure to convey your enthusiasm for the job and confidence that you’ll be a great fit for their team.
• Wrap it up politely. Conclude your cover letter by recapping your key selling points and thanking the hiring manager for their time. Then add a call to action, such as “Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the provided phone number so that we can discuss my application in greater detail.” Then, add a closing line and follow it with your full name.

Sounds easy, right? Here’s a real-life example to drive the point home:

Do you need more help perfecting your cover letter? Learn what the most common cover letter mistakes are and check out cover letter examples for all professions here.

#2. How to Ace Your Next Interview

Once you’ve perfected both your resume and cover letter, there’s only one thing left.

It’s time for the final step—the dreaded job interview.

Whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert, you probably hate the interviewing process. No matter how experienced you are, it can be nerve-wracking. Sitting there while someone’s prodding into your past experiences and judging you isn’t fun.

But did you know that most interviewers ask the same questions?

That’s right—all you have to do is learn how to answer some of the most common interview questions, and you’ll be an interview away from landing your dream job!

Just check out our complete guide to the 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers and learn how to ace your next interview.

FAQs on How to Make a Resume

Do you still have some questions about making a resume? Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions below!

#1. What does a good resume look like in 2024?

For your resume to look good in 2024, make sure it’s organized and clean and isn’t longer than one page.

Be sure to include information that adds value to your application—leave out the focus on your relevant work experience and skills that you can back up, and list as many achievements as possible. 

If you’re using a resume template, choose one based on your industry. Conservative industries like law, banking, and business require more traditional resume templates. But if you’re going for an industry like design, architecture, or marketing, you can go for a creative resume template . 

Remote work is also big in 2024, so if that’s what you’re after, tailor your resume to match the job you want.

#2. How do you make a resume in Word?

The best way to create a resume in Word is to use a pre-designed Microsoft Word template. To access them, you should: 

• Open MS Word
• Click “file” from the menu bar 
• Select “new”
• Type “resume templates” in the search bar 

That said, Word resume templates are generic, hard to personalize, and overall not very stylish.

Want a resume that looks good and is extremely easy to make? Check out resume templates to get started!

#3. How do I write a resume for my first job?

If you’re writing your first-ever resume for an entry-level position, the hiring manager won’t expect you to have any work experience.

However, you can make up for your lack of experience with your skills and academic achievements.

For example, you can take advantage of extracurricular activities, internships, volunteering experiences, and other non-professional experiences. You can use them to highlight the skills you’ve gained and what you’ve achieved so far.

So, your first job resume should have a resume objective, emphasize your education, and replace your work experience with any internships, volunteering, independent projects, or other experiences.

#4. How to make a resume on Google Docs?

You can make a resume on Google Docs by choosing one of their templates and filling it in on the go.

All you have to do is go to your Google Drive’s template gallery, choose your preferred template, fill in your information, and your Google Docs resume is ready to go! 

That said, Google Docs templates aren’t the most user-friendly choice. You don’t have much flexibility with the layout and formatting isn’t that easy. For example, you tweak a section to the slightest, and the whole resume becomes a mess.

If you want an easier option, check out our resume builder !

#5. What kind of resume do employers prefer?

Typically, employers prefer one-page-long resumes that follow the reverse chronological format. 

Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes every day, so they don't have the time to read three-page resumes. Try one of our one-page resume templates so you don’t go over the recommended resume length.

Meanwhile, the reverse-chronological format is the most popular because it draws attention to your most recent jobs and professional achievements, which is the #1 most important thing hiring managers look at when evaluating a resume.

#6. How many jobs should you put on your resume? 

You should only include relevant job positions on your resume.

This means that your work experience section should be tailored to the job you are applying for. If you’ve worked five different jobs and they can all add value to your current application, then you should include all five. 

If, on the other hand, you’re applying for, say, a customer service position and some of your past jobs don’t have anything to do with customer service, you should skip them.

#7. Should I put my address on my resume? 

You can put your location (city, state, or country) on your resume, but you don’t need to put your entire physical address.

Putting a physical address on a resume was the norm back when companies would contact you via mail. In today’s world, everyone communicates via email, which is why adding a correct and professional email address to your contact information section is far more important than putting your physical address. 

So, just include your location or-–if you’re a remote worker—specify you prefer to work remotely by writing “working remotely from [location].”

#8. What information should I leave out of my resume?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t include your birthday or your headshot on your resume. This norm varies from country to country but it applies to the USA, Canada, and UK.

If you have plenty of achievements to list under your work experience, then you can leave your basic work responsibilities out of your resume. 

In your education section, you should only include your highest and most recent degree. So, if you hold a Ph.D., you can list that and your Master’s degree and leave your Bachelor’s degree and high school diploma out.

Finally, leave out any skills that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for.

#9. Is a resume a CV?

Depending on where you are, a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and a resume might be completely different things.

In most of the world, though, including Europe and Asia, they are used interchangeably for the same document. Both CVs and resumes are one to two pages long, and list skills and experiences relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Sometimes more detailed resumes that go over one page are referred to as CVs. These are typically only used by senior professionals, executives, CEOs, etc.

In the USA, however, a CV is a completely different document. Typically, CVs are detailed and comprehensive documents that highlight your entire academic and professional history. They’re often used for academic, scientific, or research positions, which is why this type of CV can also be referred to as an academic CV.

You can create your CV using one of our CV templates !

#10. Should I write my own resume?

Yes, you should always write your own resume.

Your resume is your opportunity to show the hiring manager your communication, writing, and presentation skills . Employers also evaluate you based on how effectively you can convey information about yourself, and there’s no one that can represent you better than yourself.

Writing your own resume lets you introduce yourself authentically. You have the best understanding of your skills and experiences, and you can personalize them to make your resume stand out.

And, as a bonus, the experience of writing your resume yourself can be reflective and insightful, so it might help you understand your professional journey and career goals better.

#11. Can a resume be two pages?

Generally, we strongly recommend that your resume stick to one page.

Hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes every day, and keeping your resume to one page increases the odds that they’ll see your qualifications faster.

In some cases, like when you have a lot of relevant experience, your resume can go over two pages. But this exception is reserved for senior professionals with over a decade of relevant experience and tons of skills and achievements that simply can’t fit on one page.

#12. Is a simple resume okay?

Absolutely, a simple resume is often more than okay—it's preferable.

Before your resume even gets to the hiring manager, a complicated layout could get it rejected by the applicant tracking system (ATS). A simple resume template can help get your application straight to the hiring manager.

A clean layout can also make sure that your resume is easily readable and looks professional. This can focus the hiring manager's attention on your work experience and skills without excessive clutter or flashy colors to distract them.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

If you’ve followed all of our advice until now, congrats! You’re probably an expert on how to make a resume.

To recap, let’s go through some of the most important lessons we’ve learned so far...

• Use the right resume builder to make the process as smooth as possible. You don’t want to mess around with formatting for hours before even starting to work on your resume!
• Focus on your achievements over responsibilities. This can help you stand out from all the other applicants, especially if you back your claims up with data.
• Include all the must-have sections, like the resume summary, work experience, education, and skills. Then leverage optional sections if you have leftover space.
• Tailor your resume for the job you’re applying for. Everything listed on your resume should be relevant to the specific job you’re applying for, and you should write a new resume for every new job application.
• Take the time to perfect your cover letter. It’s just as important as your resume, so make sure you pay as much attention to it!

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Consultant Resume

Consultant Resume for 2024 - Best Examples & Writing Guide

Published on September 7th, 2024

Having a well-formatted resume is essential, especially for consultants who need to demonstrate expertise and results-driven skills. The good news? You don’t have to start from scratch. Free consultant resume templates provide an excellent way to structure your resume while saving time. 

In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about formatting a consultant resume, and how using free consultant resume templates can help you stand out.

Free Consultant Resume Templates

Free consultant resume templates offer a ready-made format that ensures your resume looks professional and polished from the get-go. They allow you to focus more on content and less on design while providing a clear structure to present your qualifications. 

Whether you are an experienced consultant or just starting, check out our free resume template ensures you adhere to industry standards while making a great first impression.

What to Include in a Consultant Resume?

When building a consultant resume, it’s essential to include the right sections that give recruiters a comprehensive view of your capabilities. Here’s what to include in your resume:

• Contact Information: Ensure your contact details, such as phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile, are prominently displayed.
• Professional Summary or Objective: A concise statement outlining your key achievements or career goals.
• Work Experience: Highlight your consulting roles and quantifiable achievements.
• Education: Include relevant degrees, certifications, or professional training.
• Skills: Add a mix of both hard and soft skills that are essential for a consulting role.
• Awards & Certifications: Optional, but these can further showcase your expertise.
• Languages & Interests: These sections are optional but can add a personal touch and highlight additional strengths.

With free consultant resume templates, each of these sections is pre-structured, allowing you to easily insert your own information without worrying about formatting.

How to Correctly Display Your Contact Information?

Your contact information should be displayed at the top of your resume clearly and professionally. Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, and LinkedIn profile. There is no need to include your full home address anymore — simply listing your city and state will suffice. Make sure the information is accurate and up to date, as this is the first point of reference for recruiters.

How to Write a Consultant Resume Summary or Objective?

Your resume summary or objective is one of the most important parts of your consultant resume. This is where you quickly introduce yourself and your value as a consultant. Here’s the difference between the two:

• Summary: A resume summary is best if you have several years of consulting experience. Highlight your key achievements, top skills, and what makes you a great fit for the role.
• Objective: If you’re new to consulting or transitioning into this field, an objective can outline your career goals and why you’re interested in this particular role.

Both options should be concise and focus on the value you bring to the company.

How to Make Your Consultant Work Experience Stand Out?

Your work experience section should follow a reverse chronological order, meaning you start with your most recent position. This section is crucial because it shows hiring managers how you’ve contributed to previous organizations. Here’s how to make it stand out:

• Use Bullet Points: List each position in a series of concise bullet points, starting with action verbs to describe your achievements.
• Focus on Results: Highlight measurable accomplishments, such as "Increased client satisfaction by 20% through strategic consulting" or "Saved $500K annually by streamlining supply chain processes."
• Tailor to Consulting: Be sure to emphasize experience in strategic thinking, problem-solving, and client management — key components of consulting work.

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

If you’re just starting your consulting career or transitioning into the field without prior experience, don’t worry. You can still create an impressive resume by focusing on transferable skills and relevant education. Here’s what you can do:

• Highlight Education: Emphasize relevant coursework, degrees, or certifications.
• Showcase Internships or Volunteer Work: If you have participated in any relevant projects, be sure to include them.
• Focus on Skills: Emphasize skills such as data analysis, research, and communication, which are highly valued in consulting.

Use Action Words to Make Your Resume

Your resume needs to convey confidence and a proactive attitude, which is why action words are important. Here are some examples of action verbs that can make your resume stand out:

• Strategized
• Implemented

Using strong action words can help you clearly convey the results you achieved and the value you brought to your previous employers.

How to Correctly List Your Education?

The education section is typically listed below your work experience, but if you’re a recent graduate or have limited work experience, you can place it higher up. Include your degree, major, institution name, and graduation date. If you earned a high GPA or other honors, feel free to include them as well. For those transitioning into consulting, including relevant certifications or training courses will also boost your resume.

Top 10 Skills for a Consultant Resume

In consulting, both hard and soft skills are critical to success. Here’s a breakdown of the top skills to highlight:

Hard Skills for Consultants:

• Data Analysis
• Financial Modeling
• Project Management
• Business Strategy
• Market Research
• Risk Management
• Process Improvement
• IT Systems Integration
• Budgeting and Forecasting
• Legal Compliance

Soft Skills for Consultants:

• Problem-Solving
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Client Relationship Management
• Critical Thinking
• Time Management
• Negotiation
• Attention to Detail

These skills demonstrate your ability to analyze data, solve problems, and work effectively with clients — all essential qualities for consultants.

What Else Can You Include in a Consultant Resume?

In addition to the core sections, there are a few optional sections that can give you an edge:

• Awards & Certifications: Showcase any relevant achievements or credentials that demonstrate your expertise in consulting.
• Languages: If you’re bilingual or multilingual, listing your language skills can be a significant asset in global consulting roles.
• Interests & Hobbies: While not always necessary, including interests and hobbies can help humanize your resume and show that you have a well-rounded personality.

Include a Cover Letter with Your Resume

Your resume should always be accompanied by a well-written cover letter. A cover letter allows you to provide more context about your skills, experience, and interest in the role. Here’s a simple structure to follow:

• Personal Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.
• Hiring Manager’s Contact Information: If possible, address the hiring manager by name.
• Opening Paragraph: Introduce yourself and explain why you’re interested in the role and company.
• The Body: Use this section to elaborate on your skills and experience and how they align with the job requirements.
• Closing Paragraph: Express enthusiasm for the role and your desire for an interview.
• Formal Salutations: Close the letter with "Sincerely," followed by your name.

Key Takeaways

Crafting a consultant resume that stands out requires a mix of strategic thinking and attention to detail. Here’s a quick recap of what we covered:

• Use a clear and professional resume format with distinct sections.
• Highlight measurable achievements and consulting-related skills.
• Use action words to make your resume more dynamic.
• If you’re short on work experience, emphasize transferable skills, education, and certifications.
• Include a personalized cover letter to make a strong first impression.

With these tips, your consultant resume will not only stand out but also communicate the value you can bring to any consulting role.

Soujanya Varada

As a technical content writer and social media strategist, Soujanya develops and manages strategies at HireQuotient. With strong technical background and years of experience in content management, she looks for opportunities to flourish in the digital space. Soujanya is also a dance fanatic and believes in spreading light!

Hire the best without stress

Never Miss The Updates

We cover all recruitment, talent analytics, L&D, DEI, pre-employment, candidate screening, and hiring tools. Join our force & subscribe now!

Stay On Top Of Everything In HR