Finding Resume Writing Services in a Pandemic
Despite the pause the world felt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people are still entering the workforce for the first time. One of the most important tasks of the job search is crafting a strong resume. Not only is a resume a way for the job seeker to display their most valuable skills, but more importantly, a strong resume determines whether employers will even offer an interview in the first place.
Since March of 2020, the resources most young job seekers are offered have quickly disappeared. College writing centers are temporarily closed, recruiters are no longer meeting in person with clients, and young job seekers are left feeling helpless and struggling.
Thankfully, new options are arriving with the shift to a virtual environment. Universities now offer virtual resume-writing workshops, and job search companies are doing the same. Finding the right one for you can make all the difference in the success of your resume and ultimately, your job search.
Finding a workshop or resume writing services
If you are still a college student, there is a chance your college or university could be offering their version of a resume-writing workshop. Check out your library or career center to see what options they may be providing free of charge to their students.
Depending on your school, these workshops may look different. For example, Boise State University offers virtual workshops on resume writing, cover letters, the job search process, and more, accessible any time, through their Career Services website. Meanwhile, schools like the University of Michigan have held scheduled virtual workshops through Zoom on specific dates.
If you are no longer a student or are searching for outside resources, check out some of the following top-ranked resume writing services:
This free service provides resume templates chosen by recruiters. Resume-Now advertises that their resume builder takes only 15 minutes to use. This no-charge service has been recognized by Sitejabber with the 2018 Customer Service Award and as a Top 10 Resume Software of 2019 by HRTech Outlook. With HR-approved templates and examples, you are sure to find a quick and simple resume-building platform through Resume-Now.
Despite the strange name, this highly-ranked web service has helped thousands of people in their job search. This team of professionals uses several different resources to help create the perfect resume for you. In about a two-week time frame, they will gather your information from sources like LinkedIn, questionnaires, and consultations to draft, edit, and finalize your documents. This service offers both DIY downloadable packages starting at $15 as well as full-fledged writing packages starting at $359, increasing with the desired documents.
Monster.com uses professional resume writers to help their customers craft noteworthy resumes that can catch the attention of employers. With 20 plus years of experience and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, this site promises to help its customers gain a customized resume perfect for them. Packages start at $129 for resumes only, but the site does offer services for cover letters and LinkedIn makeovers.
What makes TheMuse unique is its use of individual career coaches from a variety of fields and experiences. You as the user can choose your coach based on price or profession for what works best for you. Each coach provides personalized attention to your needs to best suit the goals you are trying to reach. Mentor packages start at $119 and include a 30-minute Skype session with your coach, an updated resume, and a round of edits.
This 6-week, instructor-led, or self-paced course helps job seekers learn about the different parts of the resume, how to add their personalized flair, and other necessary skills to create a strong resume. With access to an instructor, this service provides support to anyone who is seeking to upgrade their resume from good, to great. Both the instructor-led and self-paced options go for $149.
What can I expect from resume writing services?
Depending on what kind of resume service or workshop you choose, you will receive different tools or assistance to help you in creating your resume. Workshop-style will provide more information on how to draft a strong resume yourself, while paid resume writing services will do most of the work for you.
Some of the skills they will cover include:
- Types of resumes
- Organization
- Fonts and style
- Active language
- Editing
Learning the different aspects of resumes is just as important as what you include in them.
Different workforces may request additional documents when considering you for an interview (cover letter, reference list, curriculum vitae, etc.). It is important to find out what documentation is typically required for your specific job field to be best prepared for the job search process.
Many of the above services will offer assistance on these supplemental materials either for free or for an additional charge, so make sure to do your research before choosing the best option for you! While the pandemic has definitely made life more complicated, it has also created a vast variety of new resources that are just waiting to be utilized. How will you take advantage of them?
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Looking to shift to a remote role? Check out our ultimate guide to remote work!
https://careershift.com/blog/the-job-seekers-ultimate-guide-to-remote-work/
