Becoming a resume writer can be an exciting career option as it not only gives you the opportunity to have a flexible schedule but allows you to help others achieve their career goals. This part of the job is very rewarding. Being a resume writer also comes with challenges given that you need to remain up-to-date on the rules, trends, and current business practices so you can craft compelling resumes for your customers. If you’re looking to start a career as a resume writer, there are several vital things to know, and here are some of the basics.
Choose a niche
Some resume writers think that being a generalist offers more opportunities to find new clients, but it seldom works that way. Just like any other field, people who specialize in a niche earn more than generalists, and the reason is not far-fetched. Think about it: if you were searching for a resume writer and you’re applying for accounting positions, who would you rather choose a resume writer generalist or someone who specializes in the field? Right!
Choosing a niche help will you get more clients in the long run and will also make your work easier since you know the correct jargon for the industry. There are many career niches, such as legal, sales, tech, insurance, healthcare, and so on.
Get trained
Although there are industry bodies that help you to become a certified resume writer – the truth is that certification is not necessary to become an excellent resume writer. What you do need, however, is formal TRAINING and lots of practice.
To get started as a resume writer, you will need to get training on industry trends, branding and design techniques, writing techniques and customer service etiquette. All of this resume training will help you rise above the competition and help you better market your client’s skills. You will also learn how to understand the needs of your clients and how to highlight what they offer on paper in ways that will catch the eye of any recruiter.
Have a look at our in-house Resume Writer Course where we teach you everything you need to know about becoming an excellent resume writer.
Build a website
To get started, you will need to craft numerous resume samples so that you can present these to potential clients as proof of your ability. Often it is a good idea to build a website so you can showcase your work and list your services. You can also include testimonials to boost your credibility. Be sure to post regularly about resume-related topics and share the posts via social media in order to maintain visibility with the public.
Additionally, consider making use of freelance websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. These sites are excellent ways to start building credibility as a resume writer. There are often feedback mechanism build into these freelance platforms so you can fine tune your customer service techniques and use testimonials from these sites on you own website
Market your business
The next step is to market your business. Don’t assume that people will automatically start flocking to your website once you start promoting your services. You will need to enhance the visibility of your website and start promoting your resume writing service via any of the following avenues:
-Social media
-Blogging
-Lead generation
-LinkedIn groups
-Public speaking
-Print advertising
-Cold calling
-In-person networking
-Forum participation
Now that you’re set to promote your business keep in mind that consistency is key as it can be the difference between a successful career and a not-so-successful one. This means that you should engage with customer/viewers regularly and find ways to showcase your work and promote your services.
Conclusion
A career as a resume writer can be very re-warding and offers you the opportunity to have a flexible schedule and earn extra income in addition to your other career obligations. Although anyone can become a resume writer the truth is that there is an art to resume writing and that these skills take time to master. The good news is that this career option will always be in demand as there will always be plenty of people in need of a compelling resume.
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