Start a Resume Writing Service for Profit
By Randy Wilson
The resume writing service serves an important role in the
economy. Many qualified candidates have a difficult time marketing
themselves to employers and turn to a professional writing service
for assistance. A successful resume is more than just a job
history. As an experienced resume writer, you can provide the
exposure needed for a job seeker to land an interview.
Specializing as an executive resume writing service can bring
greater income for both you and your clients. One perfect resume is
easily worth hundreds of dollars to an executive seeking a five- or
six-figure increase of salary. The drawback, of course, is that
fewer people are seeking such resumes.
Start Up Costs and Financing Sources:
Under $500
Starting a professional writing service can be virtually free.
The major expense is advertising. Personal savings, credit cards,
friends, or family members are probably your best resources for
financing. Bank or venture capital investments are unlikely in this
volatile industry.
Pricing Guidelines for Service:
$50 to $300+ per resume Prices vary according to the market and
the experience of the provider. An executive resume writing service
with a good reputation can command much higher prices.
Advertising and Marketing:
Advertise in the help wanted sections of local newspapers.
Work with local colleges and technical schools. Their
endorsements could mean big business for you. Also look near
campuses for bulletin boards where you can place free
advertisements. Laundromats, grocery stores, and banks are good
sources of such bulletin boards.
Your web site will probably be the largest source of customer
orders. A professional web site that is easy to use will be
immensely helpful.
Essential Equipment:
The most basic piece of equipment is a computer with a word
processing software package installed. An Internet connection and
high-quality printer will also be useful. While today's widespread
Internet makes it possible to run a purely digital resume writing
service, it is still customary to provide quality hard copies
printed on elegant paper.
Income Potential:
$5,000 to $50,000
Working part time can produce a few thousand per year of extra
income with virtually no overhead. A full-time venture can bring a
very sizeable income.
Target Market:
Some of the situations you might encounter are:
* People entering the job market for the
first time
* People who are re-entering the job market
after an absense (maternity, etc.)
* Professionals seeking an executive resume
writing service to move upward within the company
Tips for Success:
Offer free advice on your web site. Rather than "giving away"
advice, you are establishing yourself as an expert who has even
more to offer.
A resume writing service is not the type of business that has
many repeat customers. (Actually, a repeat customer in this
business is kind of a bad thing.) Don't expect a lot of repeat
customers, but do make it easy for your customers to refer their
job-seeking friends and family members. Your business depends on
word of mouth.
Training, Skills or Experience Needed:
A professional writing service is driven more by results and
marketing than a particular college degree. Becoming certified by
the Professional Association of Resume Writers (PARW) or the
National Resume Writers Association (NRWA) can help establish your
credentials.
Educate yourself by studying the resumes of current and past job
seekers. Search the web; they're easy to find. Look for examples of
the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly. This will be some of
the biggest help in preparing you to produce resumes from
scratch.
There are many books and online tutorials dedicated to what the
authors consider to be the best advice for writing a resume. Read
them all, connect the dots, and you will come away with a realistic
understanding of what employers seek in a resume.
© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.
Randy has dozens of home based business articles such as
Best Home Based Internet Business
http://www.profitable-home-businesses.com/best-home-based-businesses.html
,
Ebay Money Making Tips
http://www.profitable-home-businesses.com/ebay-money-making-opportunities.html
and Medical Billing Service
http://www.profitable-home-businesses.com/medical-billing-businesses.html
.
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