How to become a professional resume writer
A resume is an extremely important document to anyone seeking to obtain a job. A well written and presentable resume will attract the attention of any possible employer. To achieve this, it is best to consult a resume writer to assist.
If this sounds like the type of work that you would be interested in, we share how to become a resume writer by exploring:
What is a resume writer?
A resume writer is a trained professional who is responsible for creating an engaging and attention-grabbing resume, showcasing the skill of an individual.
A resume is a summary of the skills, the qualifications an individual possesses, and their employment history. A resume is essential to any person who is seeking employment. It should be created in such a way that the potential employee wants to learn more about the individual.
Because a resume is the first document a potential employee sees, a resume writer should have the ability to create a document which is appealing and stands out from the other applicants.
What does a professional resume writer do?
A resume writer will receive information from an individual wanting a resume created for them. This information includes their education and qualifications, their skill, and their employment history.
A resume writer will take this information, and by using persuasive language and appeal, transform it into an engaging document. Because employers briefly look at a resume, resume writers know how to best prepare and layout the document so that it makes the best impression from the start.
Resume writers include all the necessary information into the resume in a clear, neat and readable format. They know the best words to use when describing an individual, their qualification, skills, and their work history.
Resume writers can specialise in writing resumes for one specific industry or a broad range of industries. The advantage of having a resume writer who focuses on a specific industry means they will use specific styles and words that appeal to potential employers in that industry.
How to become a resume writer
1. Education
When wanting to become a resume writer, it is best to do a course in English, communications, journalism, or writing. These do not necessarily have to be a degree, but it is ideal if some form of formal qualification is attained.
Another course to add to any studies as a resume writer is a human resources course. Human resources consultants are very much involved in the hiring process by reviewing resumes, so having some form of education in this field helps when writing resumes and trying to appeal to potential employers.
2. Gain experience
The best way to gain experience is to jump right in! Even while completing courses, there is no reason one cannot gain hands-on experience in resume writing. Offer friends, family, colleagues and whoever you can find to write and rewrite resumes for them. These can be used as some form of an example to use in your studies, where you can also analyse your work and reflect on what you are learning.
While attending courses to further your education, it is also ideal to get some field experience too. If possible, work alongside an already established resume writing company, a recruitment company, or a human resources company. All three of these will allow you to gain experience in the different stages of employment the employee will go through and strengthen your resume writing skills by learning what recruiters look for in resumes, being part of the reviewing process, and identifying what determines a strong resume from a weak one.
A resume writing company will give you the experience of how to set up a resume and make it appealing. A recruitment company will give the experience of what a potential employee looks for in the candidates it employs. An HR company will give you the experience of what they look for in a resume, and how they select the most appealing one.
Another way to gain experience is to attend workshops. These will give different perspectives on how resumes are written as they are hosted by different people with different points of view. Workshops will give insights into resume writing and help to improve your skill, as workshops provide different skills to learn as a resume writer.
3. Get certified
It is not necessary to have a formal qualification in writing or English to become a resume writer. However, some form of qualification will give a better understanding of what a good resume should include, and how to write it in the correct language style to appeal to prospective employers. A qualification of some sort also allows you to charge more for your services.
When studying, it is expected to create a portfolio of resumes that you may be creating. This can be used as a learning experience for you and a reference for future clients. It is very interesting to note the growth and the improvement of skill as you go through your course, and then as you begin to work with clients.
4. Find clients
The final step in becoming a resume writer is to find clients. In today’s day, there are so many platforms to use to advertise your services, however, what good is advertising if you do not have the experience to back it up. Make sure you keep a current portfolio for prospective clients to view. This will give them an idea of your working style and what they could expect if they use your services. A great way to display your skills is to create a website and have a professional online appearance, allowing you to connect with potential customers and other resume writers.
Required skills for resume writers
Writing skills
Because resume writers need to create a document that is most appealing to employers, it should be well written, and have absolutely no spelling, grammatical, punctuation or vocabulary errors.
Researching skills
A resume writer will need to research the industry of the individual they are creating a resume for, as it is not necessarily an industry they may have worked in. They would need to research industry-specific terms, and what qualifications and certifications would stand out on the resume and be appealing to employees.
Computer skills
Because the majority of today’s workforce works online, or at least posts potential jobs online, resume writers would need to have basic computer and internet skills. Most resumes are now digital and uploaded to employment websites or emailed to potential employers.
Resume writers would also need to have computer software skills to create the resume online and designing the document with appeal in mind.
Communication
Resume writers are trying to communicate a person’s qualifications and skills to a potential employer via a document. Imagine the great communication skill needed to do this in the best possible way. Keep in mind that communication is not only verbal but written and visual too. A resume writer needs to communicate with their client as well to obtain all the information they would like to include in their resume.
Giving and accepting feedback
A resume writer is almost the middleman between an employer and an employee. As stated, they are responsible for creating a form of communication between the two. After communication naturally comes feedback. A resume writer should be able to give feedback to the employee seeking their assistance and be accepting of feedback, especially constructive feedback when it comes to the final product created.
Detail-oriented
As a resume writer, you would need to be extremely detail-oriented, noticing the minor and the major details of the documents you are creating. Being detail-oriented allows one to pick up on errors, make changes very quickly, and create flawless resumes with a high-quality standard, something every employer wants to see.
What should every resume include?
The contact information
- Contact numbers
- Email addresses,
- Online platforms or websites
Opening Statement: Summary or Objective
- An opening statement is a short section that describes a person and why they would be suitable for the position being advertised.
- A resume summary that describes work experience.
- A resume objective that states the goals of the person.
Work History
- Previous employees
- The tasks that were performed
- The length of time spent at each job
Education
- The school in which qualification was obtained
- The field of study
- The degree obtained
- The number of years studied
Skills
- Skills listed on a resume should include technical, soft, and hard skills, and should be relevant to the job being applied for.
- The skills needed for each job are obtained from the job description.
Certifications and Professional Memberships
- Additional certificates that may have been achieved after one has completed their studies.
- Include any short courses. If there are any professional associations one can be affiliated with, it is best to include them.
Achievements and Awards
Shortlist any career accomplishments which are relevant to the position being applied for.
Additional Sections
If the applicant has ever volunteered or has been in an internship programme, it is good to note it on their resume. It helps employers to create a bigger picture of their personality and the individual they are.
Conclusion
In recent years, there is a growing demand for resume writers. As job markets become flooded, any employee must have a resume that stands out from the rest, and using a resume writer achieves just this.
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