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The Business of First Impressions: Life as a Professional Resume Writer

An employer will only look at your resume for seven seconds. If you don’t catch their interest or if they see something they don’t like, they’ll toss your resume to the side. 

How do you make your resume stand out?

That’s where a professional resume writer comes in. 

Keep reading below to learn more about the life of a resume writer and how to become one. 

What Does a Resume Writer Do?

A professional resume writer does exactly what the name suggests: they write resumes for job seekers. 

But it’s not just as simple as that. 

Resume writers can either create a person’s resume from scratch or revise one that a person provides. This process might involve an interview so the writer knows what type of experience the job seeker has. 

Some resume writers also specialize a particular niche. In other words, they could specifically create healthcare resumes or legal resumes. Others are generalists. 

Either way, their main goal is to help job seekers get hired. 

How Much Do Resume Writers Make?

This number can vary depending on where a resume writer works. For example, some writers run their own business while others join specific resume writing companies. 

However, an average number to put with a resume writer’s salary could be about $69,000 a year

What Type of Training Do Resume Writers Need?

There are a few different things you need to get started. 

We’ve put together a quick list of the types of training resume writers need to succeed in the field below.

Let’s take a closer look. 

Education

Most resume writers have a B.A. in either English, communication, journalism, or other business-related degrees. Some might also have a degree in the field they choose to write for, such as healthcare. 

Certification

You can get certified as a professional resume writer by the PARW (Professional Association of Resume Writers) or the NRWA (National Resume Writers’ Association). 

You might not be able to do this if you don’t have . 

To get certified, you’ll need to pass a written exam about the resume writing industry and a practical test. You may also have to submit a portfolio of resumes and cover letters. 

Experience 

It can be hard for a resume writer to get experience when they’re just starting out. 

Beginning experience might include working for a staffing firm or a career center. This will give writers the chance to help job seekers work on their resumes. 

Resume writers can also freelance for other clients. 

Where Do Resume Writers Find Work?

Again, there are many different ways to find work as a resume writer. 

A resume writer can work for a resume writing company, such as one of these 10 best executive resume services with reviews. They can also freelance for other clients or start their own business. 

There is no right or wrong way to work as a professional resume writer. It all comes down to your personal preference and what suits your needs best. 

The Life of a Professional Resume Writer

With the right education and the right experience, you can make a decent living as a professional resume writer by helping job seekers find jobs. But this career path does take patience, especially when starting out. 

Take the time to acquire experience and get certified. This will help you find more clients in the long run. 

Getting ready to start your own resume writing business? Here are some that’ll help you get started.