Many job seekers are skeptical about hiring a resume writer over the Internet because they are afraid of getting ripped off. That is very understandable in today’s day and age.

So what can you do to make sure you are working with a credible online resume writer? For starters, check their credentials. If they are legitimate, their credentials should be listed on the homepage of their website. Also, you should be able to speak directly with someone on the phone. You should also check the sample resumes on their website so you can see the quality of their work.

Most online resume services have a toll free number and communicate with their clients via email and Live Chat as well. If the resume writer responds the same day and you do not get an answering service or a switchboard, that is a good indication that they are a credible resume service that operates full time and does not just write resumes part time as a second income.

Local in-person resume writing services are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Unless the Yellow Pages ad lists every aspect their services and credentials, you will not know if they are the right choice for you until you are sitting across from the resume writer in their office.

The advantage in finding a resume writer on the Internet is that you can view their work, services, and fees online before calling them. If they do not list their fees on their website then they should be able to do a consultation to understand what your needs are and then quote you a price with an explanation along with an overview of what the process is and what the services include.

As for local resume services, if you decide they are not for you after traveling to their office to meet with them in person, you must venture out to find another resume service that is. That alone can take hours if not days. Chances are you will probably end up choosing a local resume writer just because you are tired of running around town!

Even then, you are not done. You still have the revision process ahead of you. Unless you are going to do that via email, you will have one chance in person to catch errors and make changes.

If you are in a rush, you might have a hard time finding a local resume writer who is available to meet your deadline because they usually have office hours from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, and have someone in their office.

It is difficult for a local resume writer to speak with clients on the phone with another client sitting across from them. The main reason is usually client confidentiality, not to mention that is is an interruption of their meeting. Furthermore, you only have a few local resume services to choose from versus the number of resume services available to you online.

In summary, if you visit an online resume service that has great resume samples, excellent credentials, and communicates with you to answer any of your questions via phone or by email within a few hours, you should seriously consider using them.

If they are in another state or country, you should not let that stop you. Working by email and telephone is a convenience that you should embrace. The main thing to consider is their ability to write a strong resume for you and the price.

If there is a telephone consultation, the price is generally higher than if you were filling out a questionnaire or online resume form without speaking directly with the writer. If cost is a major consideration, then it is great to know that filling out a questionnaire is an option. It sure beats developing the resume yourself!

Image taken on 2007-05-07 14:05:30. Image Source. (Used with permission)