"How much does a resume cost?"

As a resume writer for more than 20 years now, this is a question I'm asked quite often. Back in the days when most resume inquiries originated from a phone call in response to my Yellow Pages ad, "How much does it cost for a resume?" was often the first question I was asked!

Now, with many resume writing colleagues posting pricing information on their websites (I'd estimate about 30% of resume writing businesses provide pricing data online), the question has evolved somewhat into:

“How much should I spend to get a resume written?”

The main reason for that question is because jobseekers will find rates anywhere from $5 (on Fiverr.com) to more than $5,000+ (from some of my excellent colleagues) for resume writing services. Friends who know I'm a resume writer ask me, "What's the difference?" and "How do I choose?"

I like to use a "car analogy" to explain the disparity in pricing. You can buy a car from anywhere from $200 (on Craigslist) to $2 million+. Pretty much all of them over $500 will get you from Point A to Point B. (If you're closer to the $500 price range, I hope that's within about 200 miles!) 

In some cases, it's not about transportation at all, but about status. HOW you get there (rich Corinthian leather seats, or cloth?) and the status of the vehicle (Mercedes Benz or Miata) that can explain the pricing difference with car prices, for the most part. But even then, the exact same model, with the exact same features and mileage, can vary by several hundred dollars, depending on whether you're buying via private sale or through a dealer. (So sometimes the sales channel has an impact too.)

Because the vast majority of resume writers are self-employed, we set our own prices. There's no requirement for certification as a resume writer (and, in fact, there are dozens of certifications offered within the resume writing industry), and no specific training or qualifications to hang out a shingle as a resume writing professional. I get questions from resume writing colleagues about pricing all the time -- they wonder how much they should be charging too!

According to my research -- in the Resume Writers' Digest Annual Industry Survey -- the "average" cost for a resume and cover letter is right around $500.

So why are some resume writing "mills" only charging $149 for a resume and cover letter -- and why do some top industry pros charge $5,000?

Here's some possible reasons for pricing differences:

• Customization/personal service. It's not always the case, but generally, the more personal service and customization with the resume services, the higher the price. Resume mills can make money off a $149 resume by standardizing the client intake process (generally, a questionnaire form that doesn't change) and fitting the client into one of a set number of design templates. (There's nothing WRONG with this approach per se, but it's the difference between buying a package of Chips Ahoy off the shelf versus ordering a dozen personalized cookies from a bakery.)
• How information is gathered. Relating to the level of customization, individuals and firms at the lower end of the pricing scale are likely to use worksheets, forms, and questionnaires for information gathering versus a phone intake interview. (I personally use questionnaires instead of phone consultations and there is nothing wrong with a written approach versus a verbal approach UNLESS the jobseeker prefers talking through their history. In that case, it's a matter of personal preference for the client.) But how information is collected can impact pricing -- in general, resume writers who use phone intakes charge anywhere from 20-50% more than those who work from questionnaires. (Although there are some VERY high end firms who use questionnaires exclusively, so it's not always true that you'll pay less when providing information in writing.)
• Volume. Aligning with the level of personal service is the volume of clients that an individual resume writer can work with. If you're conducting in-depth personal consultations or lengthy personalized questionnaires and spending 10+ hours on the writing of the resume, you BETTER be charging more than $500 for your services. Otherwise, you'd be better off getting a job at McDonalds because you're probably making close to minimum wage anyway!
• Experience/credentials. Although no certification or experience is required, resume writers who have one -- or both -- generally charge more. Many of the larger resume writing firms (mills) have a minimum requirement for their writers -- an "easy" certification like the CPRW (which requires a single test and no ongoing continuing education) is often the bar for application. In contrast, the cost to obtain an ACRW (Academy Certified Resume Writer) certification is $1895, plus five weeks of training and portfolio development. Choosing a resume writer who invests in her OWN career development is a good idea -- and is likely going to be at a higher price point.
• Resume only versus a one-stop shop. Resume writing professionals who provide a "single source" approach for jobseekers tend to charge more than individuals who only write resumes. Some career industry colleagues provide career assessments/testing, personal brand development, the full spectrum of writing services (not just resumes and cover letters, but bios, CVs, thank you letters, networking letters, etc.) plus LinkedIn profile development, and into coaching services -- interview coaching, salary negotiation coaching, career change strategy development, and more. Because they tend to have a deeper well of knowledge, information, and resources, they tend to charge more even just for the resume writing piece of it, if that's all you need.

With so many possible resume writers to choose from (my research indicates there are about 4,000 professional resume writers worldwide), how does a jobseeker choose? That's a topic for another blog post. But in general, look at these factors:

• What do you need? Do you need JUST the resume and cover letter, or are you looking for someone who can help you navigate the job search process?
• How do you prefer to work? Do you want to have a high level of hand-holding, or are you comfortable working with your resume writer virtually (email/questionnaires)?
• How complex is your career? Someone just coming out of college is an easy project for most resume writers -- mid-level professionals and early executives need someone with more experience -- and I'd ONLY recommend someone who works with federal resumes if you're looking for a government job.
• How much are you willing to spend?

That final question is important. The other question jobseekers need to ask themselves is: "How much do I want to invest in my career?" Going back to that car analogy, what do you need? What do you want?

There is a general guideline that jobseekers can use:

In  general, you should spend 1-3% of your annual salary on your career development. 

According to the Census Bureau, the median household income in America (across all jobs) was $51,939 (as of September 2014*). Using the 1 to 3% figure, that would mean spending between $519 and $1557 on career development annually. Now, that could include more than just a resume/cover letter -- that can include continuing education/training, career-related clothing and personal items, and even something like a subscription to LinkedIn Premium membership. But if that $52,000 was a single jobseeker (let's say a single parent), the $519 amount is right in line with that "average" fee for a resume and cover letter that I mentioned before.

The advantages of a professionally written resume are numerous -- many jobseekers find it hard to know what to write about themselves (much less design a resume that meets modern job search standards and Applicant Tracking System-friendly formats). Professionally written resumes are more likely to generate interview requests than do-it-yourself documents, meaning a potentially shorter job search. (You can calculate how much it costs every week you are unemployed -- for example, if you're making that hypothetical $52,000 a year, that's almost $1,000 a week.)

Back to the car analogy, your income is your greatest wealth-building tool. (The average person makes over $1.4 million in income throughout their lifetime.**) 

The average monthly new vehicle lease payment in the U.S. in 2015 was $412/month***. You'd spend $400 each MONTH to drive something that gets you where you want to go -- why not spend a couple hundred dollars more for a document that can drive your CAREER where you want it to go?

So instead of asking "How much does a resume cost?" jobseekers should probably instead be asking themselves, "How much do I want to make?" and what is the cost of NOT investing in their job search, and their career path.

Sources: 

* http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2015/07/09/average-salaries-for-americans-median-salaries-for-common-jobs.html

** https://www.quora.com/How-much-money-does-the-average-American-make-in-their-lifetime

*** https://www.statista.com/statistics/453170/average-monthly-new-automobile-lease-payment-usa/

A Different Kind of PITA Client

In response to yesterday's blog post about "8 Warning Signs of Difficult Clients," I got this question from a fellow resume writer:

I have one more type of resume client that is a PITA: the one that seemingly responds to your questions but, upon careful reading, has actually provided only the most general information –- no data, no quantifiable results. I am working with a nightmare like that right now where everything is “exceeded expectations” and he “helps a lot” or “enjoys helping others.” 

Due to this lack of information and vagueness, I have procrastinated ridiculously on this project. This is not the first client I have run into with this issue, and I’ve talked with others who have encountered exactly the same thing. I just spoke with someone who had a client who left all kinds of things out -- and, when pressed, she kept saying “Well, that was contract work, so it doesn’t count” or “I didn’t think that was important.” (I had another client recently who left off really outstanding information, for the same reason.)

I would love to know more about either:
* How to structure a questionnaire so this won't happen, or
* How to conduct an intake consult so this won't happen (so I will have all of the information I need)

Is a phone intake best? I have avoided it because I do not take notes well any more –- used to, but not now. 

Ideas, Bridget?

MY RESPONSE:

Hi!

You're absolutely correct! And sometimes these turn into the "traditional" PITA clients because you press them for details (which they can't give) and then when they get the resume, they say: "You didn't put any new information into it." (Which you respond in your head with: "What am I, a miracle worker? Mind-reader?).

In this case, I go back to the client (usually via email) and tell them that I need more specific information in terms of ##, %%, or $$. I usually give them 5-7 REALLY specific questions to answer (my full questionnaire can be 15-20 pages, so I understand how that can be overwhelming, so I tell them these are the things I really need help with).

(I usually pull from my "Ask Better Questions, Write Better Resumes" questions) And if not, that idea of open/closed questions that I talk about on the "How to Talk When They Balk" call can help. Sometimes it's asking the question a different way.

If they come back to what without good answers, I just go ahead and write from what I had. (Remembering what Phil Graves of 1-Day Resumes once told me (paraphrasing) -- they come in with a 2 or a 3, and even a resume that is a 7 or 8 is better than that! We can't always give them a 10, especially when they don't give us good information to work with!)

I never (never!) offer to get on the phone with them. They know when they choose to work with me that they're going to be working with me virtually. (I would charge more if I did phone consultations.) In fact, when prospects come to me and want to give their information by phone, I refer them to writers who work that way. (It's one of the ways I avoid what might become one of my PITAs!) My clients know up front that I collect the information via questionnaire and their existing documents.

Hope that helps!

Bridget

Having trouble with challenging, difficult, or controlling clients? Check out my "Dealing With Difficult Clients" bundle -- just $11 through Monday.

8 Warning Signs of Difficult Clients

They're the worst kind of client. The kind that no resume writer wants to work with.

The PITA client. (Pain-In-The-A$$.)

He or she isn't just annoying. He's a menace. He's the type of client who receives the resume and then demands his money back, saying it wasn't what he expected, or that it's not getting results. Or worse, he doesn't even contact you to get his money back -- he just institutes a chargeback, saying he never got the resume, or you didn't deliver what was promised. Most of the time, the credit card company sides with him, leaving your blood boiling.

But how do you recognize a PITA client when they contact you? There are some red flags to watch out for.

Kelly Donovan, CPRW shared a list of "PITA Warning Signs":

• Asking for a discount or questioning whether the investment is worth it.
• Saying their project will be "simple"
• Saying anything that reveals doubt/skepticism about your qualifications
• Calling/emailing with unusually high frequency
• Calling before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (unless for a scheduled call)
• Mentioning they had a problem with another resume writer
• Asking for a watered-down version of your services with a lower price tag
• Complaining about any aspect of their experience with you (i.e., your voice mail, how long you took to get back to them, etc.)

Now, not every client who exhibits one or more of these warning signs will turn out to be a PITA client, but it's worth paying attention to if a prospective client does one of these things (or more)! (And note: What may be a PITA client for you might be a lovely client for someone else ... so sometimes it's having the courage and confidence to send them elsewhere!)

One of my most popular bundles helps resume writers deal with PITA clients. The "Dealing With Difficult Clients" bundle includes:

• "Working with Challenging, Controlling, or Pain-in-the-A$$ clients" -- a special report that tells you what the REAL issue is with PITA clients, case studies of how to resolve issues with PITA clients (if you want to preserve the relationship, and if you don't want to continue working with them), how to recognize "game-playing" clients, and how to protect yourself from PITA clients (including advice from veteran resume writer Louise Kursmark).
• The recording and transcript from one of my most popular teleseminars -- "How to Talk When They Balk: Communicating With 'Challenging' Clients" -- what to do to make sure unhappy clients don't ruin your reputation, how to turn an unhappy client into a loyal customer, and how to handle problem situations with clients -- no matter how large or small. Also: The THREE questions you must ask clients.
• Client management forms you can use in your resume writing business, including a Client Agreement Form (long and short version), Client Release Form (when you fire and/or refund a client), Hold Harmless Agreement (if the client wants you to make a change to the resume you don't agree with), Website Privacy Policy, Client Termination Letter (when you need to fire a client), Failed Payment Method (credit card didn't go through? Send this), and Referral Request (send to happy clients to stimulate referrals)

Bill Gates once said, "Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning."

But you have to know what to do when you are faced with one. This bundle will help.

For four days only, you can get the "Dealing With Difficult Clients" bundle for just $11 (more than 70% off -- regularly $39).

You'll receive the Special Report, recording and transcript (including handouts), and the client management forms (Word document) via immediate download. Order here:
Dealing With Difficult Clients Bundle

I hate it when I come across a PITA client -- but these resources have helped me, and I know they'll help you too.

Why Subcontract?

I've been a professional resume writer since 1996, but in the early 2000s, I decided to supplement my own business marketing with subcontract resume writing. I no longer work as a subcontract resume writer (my own business took off too much for me to continue writing for others), but this is a topic that continues to interest me.

In 2007, my colleague Diana LeGere collaborated with me to write a report on subcontracting, "Making Money as a Resume Subcontractor." We just published the fifth edition of the report, and I wanted to address the second biggest question I'm asked by folks considering subcontracting. (I'll do a blog post later about the BIGGEST question, which relates to subcontract writing compensation.)

The second-biggest question 

I get is 

“Why should I subcontract?”

There are a couple of reasons that I give resume writers considering subcontracting.

• You want to supplement the income you're earning from your own resume writing business. Resume writing can be a "feast-and-famine" business. Subcontracting can help fill in the peaks and valleys, giving you the opportunity to stay busy -- and earn some extra money -- when your phone isn't ringing (or your email isn't pinging).
• You're getting started in the business and you want additional experience. Especially when you are new in the business, you need to write more to improve your skills -- and to learn which kinds of clients/projects you don't want to work on! (After 20 years in the business, I specialize in sales, marketing, PR and advertising clients primarily and I do not write technology resumes or military-to-civilian or federal resumes. Live and learn!)
• You are tired of client management hassles. An emerging area of subcontracting is individuals and firms that ONLY subcontract write. Don't like marketing? Just like writing? Subcontracting may be for you! (I can't promise you won't work with any PITA clients, but at least you'll have your contracting writer to help intervene.)
• You can learn how to manage your own resume writing business better. Individuals who employ subcontract writers have figured out many of the systems and processes involved with client management and business operations. You can get a peek into how they work and adopt these practices in your own business.

If you have questions about subcontracting, I'd like to help answer them! I'm offering a free webinar next week as part of the launch of the "Making Money as a Resume Subcontractor" membership site. You can register for the webinar here or check out the MMRS membership site here.