There are a variety of home business opportunities available to anyone interested in writing. One such home business opportunity is resume writing (a type of work that can be done in a freelance writing capacity or by setting up a more formal home business with a resume writing service).
What Resume Writers Do (Is it for You?)
The role of resume writers may seem like a simple one on the surface: they write resumes to help people find jobs. However, there’s more to the work of being a resume writer than simply plugging employment histories and skills into resume templates. Here are some of the responsibilities you would face as a resume writer:
- A resume writer has to be persuasive.
- A resume writer has to be able to make a sometimes far-from-perfect work history look less unflattering for a client without becoming dishonest.
- A resume writer becomes involved in a client’s sometimes emotional job search, putting them at a higher risk than other types of writers to have to deal with unhappy clients (if a resume you write doesn’t get someone a job they’re highly invested in).
- A resume writer may have to obtain certification in the field to be taken seriously or earn more money.
Highlights of a Resume Writing Business
- Resume writing can be a work from home job opportunity.
- A resume writing business or freelance resume writing career can be a low-cost startup idea.
- Resume writing can be a field that lends itself well to word of mouth marketing.
Downsides of a Resume Writing Business
- A resume writing business is at least in part reliant on the existing job market (if people simply aren’t looking for work, or if finding a job is too easy without having a professional resume written, your market may be slow and somewhat out of your hands).
- You do need to consider a certification process to be taken more seriously (perhaps even more than one).
- Writing in general is a competitive area.
More on Becoming a Resume Writer
Here are a few additional things to consider if you’re interested in becoming a professional resume writer:
- Create a portfolio of sample resumes. Resumes that successfully led to job placements will carry more weight than those that didn’t. When showcasing resume samples, it’s probably a good idea to remove any personal or contact information about the client (and of course, get their permission).
- If you don’t have existing sample resumes to add to a portfolio, consider writing resumes for friends or family members who may be in the middle of a job search, on the condition that you can use the resume as a sample if it gets them a job.
- Visit PARW.com to learn more about becoming a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW).
- Visit the National Resume Writers’ Association (NRWAweb.com) to learn more about the NRWA certification program to become a nationally certified resume writer (NCRW).
