Last updated: January 3rd, 2024
Writing a good resume takes time. Unless you’re a good writer with a recruitment background, you’ll spend many hours planning, writing, editing and proofreading. That’s why there’s a growing number of Australian resume writing services that are lining up to take this task off your hands.
Their cost depends on two factors:
- Tier of the resume writing service.
- Your seniority.
What Are The Pricing Tiers Of Resume Writers?
Let’s examine the three categories of resume writers to get to the bottom of how much it costs to have a resume professionally written.
Tier 1: Too Good To Be True ($300 And Under).
Mostly occupied by resume mills, this tier represents a classic case of exercising false economy.
Your resume will be outsourced to an external writer, possibly with a poor grasp of the English language, and will be written in about 45 minutes.
You can expect the writer to add some formatting improvements and a lot of generic, meaningless platitudes. For example:
“Energetic, dynamic product manager with extensive experience across various industries, responsible for delivering projects on time.”
If your budget is tight, you can use a good online resume builder.
Expert Tip.
For best results, use a resume builder while drawing on advice from my guide on how to write an Australian resume.
Tier 2: Value Range ($300-$1000)
Most Australian resume writers fall into this range. You can expect them to make a relatively honest attempt at:
- highlighting some unique aspects of your career
- adding keywords to help the resume beat the ATS
- fleshing out your achievements
- writing a (fairly generic) profile
Shop around to ensure that you find the best Australian resume writer in this category. Skill levels in this tier vary significantly, so insist on speaking with a writer on the phone before signing up.
Test the writer by asking them difficult questions specific to your career. For example:
- If you have a complex career with gaps and a non-linear trajectory, ask them how they plan to ensure that recruiters don’t see the gaps as weaknesses and the twists as a lack of focus.
- If you have a linear career, ask them how they plan to make sure you don’t look too “vanilla” in a sea of other candidates with linear careers.
Tier 3: Top Shelf ($1000 And Above)
Price acts as a filter and paying a premium can help you weed out resume writers who aren’t good enough for your needs.
A top-tier Australian resume expert who charges over $1,000 should have the ability to:
- communicate your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
- tie your career moves into an overarching career story
In other words, resumes at cheaper levels often communicate “I worked here, then I worked there“, while the best resumes shape your experience in a way that adds up to a commercially meaningful narrative.
How Does Your Seniority Affect The Cost Of Your Resume?
Seniority impacts the amount of work a resume writer has to do. A junior project manager’s resume, for example, does not have as many achievements, or as much nuance as that of a seasoned CFO.
It’s normal for Australian resume writers to have a tiered pricing system that takes this into account. In most cases the tiers are:
- students / recent graduates
- professionals / managers
- senior managers / executives
Don’t be surprised if the cost of an executive’s resume is 3-5 times more than that of a graduate.
Should I Pay More For A “Certified” Resume Writer?
No.
After 10+ years in this industry, I’m yet to see a positive correlation between the quality of a resume writer’s output and their certifications.
In fact, I’m known for speaking out against resume writer bodies, which I view as borderline scams that have failed to keep up with the expectations of Australian hiring managers and recruiters.
Final Words On Paying For A Resume Writer.
Having someone write your resume is worth it – if you choose the right resume writer.
Do your due diligence to create a shortlist of writers with a good reputation. Once you’ve found a few resume writers you like, ask them difficult questions about your career to test their ability.
Listen to their answers and ask yourself – “do I trust this person with my career?”
– Irene
P.S. What are your thoughts on paying for a resume writer? Have you found a good one for a great price? Have you overpaid for a mediocre resume? Share your opinions and stories below. Let’s start a conversation!
