Questions for a Resume Service, Answered

We explained these questions here. Now, here are Kelly Donovan’s answers:

1. What type of business are you?
This is a professional resume writing service. It is not a secretarial service, a typing service, or a virtual assistant business.

2. Is this a side business? In other words, do you have a day job, or do you run your business full time?
This is my full-time business. I’m not anyone’s employee.

3. Are you involved with any professional associations for resume writing?
Yes. I’m a member of the National Resume Writers’ Association (NRWA) and obtain ongoing professional development through the association. I’m committed to the profession and read extensively about best practices in resumes, job searching, and LinkedIn. I stay up to date on trends, including social media and technology as they apply to resumes and job searching.

4. Do you have at least a bachelor’s degree in communications, English, journalism, or human resources from a respected university?
Yes. I have a bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in print journalism and a minor in English from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla.

5. Do you provide help with job search strategy?
Yes. I provide all of my clients with my QuickStart Guide, an e-handbook with helpful information and advice to help in their job searches. I also offer TheHireRoad, an innovative product that will take your job search from 0 to 60. The creator of TheHireRoad is also available for one-on-one career coaching.

6. How many years of experience do you have as a writer? How many years of business experience do you have?
I have 9 years of professional writing and business experience, which includes working as a newspaper reporter, working at a marketing and public relations firm, and owning this business. All of my past experience and training is highly relevant to what I do now. My journalism background trained me to produce high-quality writing under deadline pressure. My marketing and PR background helped me understand fundamentals of marketing and branding that also apply to marketing job seekers.

7. How long, on average, do you spend on a resume?
It typically ranges from 4 to 6+ hours, depending on the individual’s experience and career level. It normally takes longer for executives or senior managers with decades of experience.

8. Are there any “hidden charges” I should know about?
No. You will be aware of all fees before we start on your project. Also, unlike some firms, I don’t charge exorbitant fees for simple things like file conversions, reference pages, salary history pages, etc.

9. Do you provide assistance with LinkedIn profiles?
Yes. I believe that LinkedIn is an extremely important tool that just about every job seeker should be using. I have an informative one-hour online training that highlights how you can take advantage of this website. People have told me they enjoy watching this training and learn a lot from it. I also provide one-on-one LinkedIn coaching and profile writing.

10. Do you have expertise in incorporating keywords into resumes?
Yes. Incorporating relevant keywords is important so you can be “screened in” by software that corporate HR departments use to manage their resume databases. I’m well-versed on the use of keywords in resumes and have received training on this through the National Resume Writers’ Association. On each resume project, I work with the client to identify the appropriate keywords for the position or positions being targeted with the resume, and I incorporate these words into the document.

11. Who will handle my project?
I’ll be the one interviewing you and writing your resume. You’ll get highly personalized attention from me (the owner). No outsourcing to India, no factory-style process.

12. Will the content of my resume be original?
Every resume I write is a custom job, and I don’t use pre-written templates or resume writing software.

13. Do you specialize in my industry or profession?
I specialize in resume writing (and related services/products) for the following fields: sales, logistics, marketing and PR, health care and medicine, IT, accounting and finance, and journalism. Consequently, I’ll know before talking to you what sorts of accomplishments we can zero in on, and you won’t have to spend a lot of time getting me up to speed on your field.

Read our explanations of these questions and what to look for in a resume writing service.