STARTING A RESUME WRITING BUSINESS

START A RESUME WRITING BUSINESS

 

About the Author

Marjory Pilley

A resume writing service is a recession-proof concern that can be the sole focus of a business or an offshoot of an existing writing or career-oriented service. The cost to enter the market is relatively low and the business can be operated from a home or office. If you have a flair for writing and work well with people, then a resume writing business may be lucrative business opportunity.
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Step 1
Analyze your strengths and weaknesses. A resume writer must have excellent writing skills and be able to gather and assimilate information from customers. Address deficiencies with training. Also consider professional certification through The Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches or The National Resume Writers' Association. Although not required, certification provides credibility. Here you can apply for certification.
Step 2
Identify a niche. Possible areas of focus include career changers, military personnel transitioning to civilian jobs or careers in a particular industry. It is easier to generalize once you have specialized.
Step 3
Name the business and establish a legal structure. If the service is an extension of an existing business, then skip this step. Otherwise, select a name that is catchy and represents the services offered. Possible legal structures include sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability corporation or Sub Chapter S corporation.
Step 4
Obtain licenses and permits. Check with local and state authorities for requirements. This business can operate from a home or office.
Step 5
Open a business bank account. Separating business and personal finances is necessary for tax reporting and a best practice for operating a business.
Step 6
Consider accepting credit card payments. This payment method facilitates a quick turnaround for services and is convenient for customers you never see.
Step 7
Establish policies and pricing. Areas to cover include a process to gather resume information by questionnaire or interview, turnaround time for services and a money-back guarantee policy. Decide if a digital and hard copy resume will be provided. Determine if any other services will be included such as cover letter preparation and interview follow-up letters. Review the practices of competitors when establishing processes and pricing.
Step 8
Purchase equipment. Most of the items that are needed already exist in a home office including a computer, quality printer, phone and fax machine.
Step 9
Advertise your professional resume writing services. Create business cards, place ads in media that your target market reads, send a newsletter to current and potential customers with career tips and join networking organizations. Websites and blogs are additional ways to offer services.
Step 10
Bid on requests for resume writing services through work bid sites such as Elance or oDesk. Establish a profile on the site that identifies your niche and credentials. Create a sample resume that highlights your experience as an example of your work.
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Business List
Stay up-to-date on trends by subscribing to publications on resume writing.
Understand issues facing your target market by participating in trade organizations.

Consider purchasing available software with customizable resume templates.
If you are a member of a professional resume organization, list your name in their searchable database.

About the Author

Marjory Pilley

Helpful Resources

Listing on FIVERR

Many list for Free or $5.00 but that only includes templates