Is any best resume writing service actually worth the money?

I used a best resume service online last year when I was graduating and honestly... it was kinda worth it? I went with CraftResumes.com after researching a bunch of options. They paired me with someone who had actual HR experience in my field.

The biggest difference was how they positioned my retail and internship experience to sound relevant to my target jobs. My interview callbacks literally doubled after I started using that resume.

But shop around! Some of these resume writing services charge like $300+ which is CRAZY 🤯

@JacquelinePLopez It really depends on your field. For UX design, your portfolio is going to matter WAY more than your resume. I'd invest your money there instead.

That said, my roommate used a best resume writing service for his accounting job hunt and got way better results. Different fields have different expectations.

If you do decide to go for it, make sure they offer revisions. The first draft I got from a resume review service completely missed the mark and made me sound like a robot.

i used what was supposedly the "best resume writing service for career change" when i switched from education to corporate training. it was... fine?

they definitely made everything sound more professional, but tbh i could have probably done the same with some good examples and time. what WAS helpful was their explanation of why they made certain choices, which helped me understand what recruiters look for.

@Counconect which package did you use at CraftResumes? was it the basic or premium one?

@Shilpi I went with their middle tier. The basic didn't include a cover letter, which I definitely needed help with. The premium seemed overkill for me since I didn't need LinkedIn optimization or whatever else they were offering.

One thing to consider too is that some of these resume writing services for career changers have guarantees. Like if you don't get more interviews in 30 days, they'll rewrite it. That's what sold me tbh.

Listen up folks! As someone who's worked in university career services for years before going back for my master's, let me save you some money:

1. Most best resume writing services use templates and formulas that aren't much better than what you can find for free
2. The truly good ones (that actually have industry expertise) are usually WAY too expensive for students
3. Many use overseas writers who don't understand the nuances of US job market expectations

What DOES help: Have 3-5 people in your target industry review your resume. Join LinkedIn groups, go to meetups, or reach out to alumni. People love giving advice and it's free!

If you're dead set on paying, at least use a resume review service rather than a writing service. Let them critique what you've created rather than starting from scratch.
Just my two cents!

thanks everyone for the input! @ResumeSage that's actually super helpful. I hadn't thought about reaching out to alumni, that's a great idea.

@TechTrekker yeah, my portfolio is definitely priority #1, but I figured a strong resume wouldn't hurt either. Maybe I'll try to DIY it first with some free templates.

Has anyone tried ResumeWritingLab? They keep popping up in my searches for best resume writing service and their student discount is tempting..

Ok I'll be the contrarian here. I spent $200 on a best resume writing service last year and it was 100% worth every penny. Here's why:

- I had NO IDEA how to quantify my achievements before
- They knew exactly what ATS systems look for with keyword optimization
- The writer had 10+ years of recruiting experience IN MY FIELD
- They formatted everything beautifully (I'm terrible at design)
- I got a job offer within 3 weeks of using the new resume

Sometimes you have to invest in yourself. Could I have learned all that stuff myself? Sure, but the time savings alone was worth it to me.

I used Craftresumes.com and requested specifically a writer with tech industry background. Not the cheapest but definitely delivered.

@HustleMode Those are fair points! I should clarify that there ARE good services out there, and sometimes the time savings is worth it. My concern is just that many students drop hundreds of dollars without:

1. Trying the free resources first
2. Researching which best resume writing services actually have expertise in their field
3. Understanding that even a perfect resume can't overcome lack of experience

@JacquelinePLopez If you do go with a service, make sure they can prove they've worked with UX designers specifically. Generic "best resume service online" providers might not understand the nuances of showcasing UX projects and skills.

First-time poster, long-time lurker. I actually review resumes as part of my job at a tech company. My two cents:

Most of the resumes I see that come from resume writing services are pretty obvious - they use the same buzzwords and formatting. They're not BAD, but they don't stand out either.

What I recommend instead: Find 5-10 job descriptions for positions you want, pull out the common keywords and requirements, and make sure your resume addresses those specific points. That's literally what we look for.

For UX specifically, focus on your problem-solving process and measurable outcomes of your projects. And please, PLEASE have a portfolio link prominently displayed!

That said, if writing isn't your strong suit or you're really struggling with how to position yourself, a best resume writing service can help with the fundamentals. Just don't expect miracles.

wow, thanks for all the great advice everyone!!!

@Diane J. Hurt that's incredibly helpful insight - thank you! I'm definitely going to try the job description keyword method first.

I think my plan now is to:

1. Build a DIY version using free templates and the keyword strategy
2. Get it reviewed by campus career services (even if their advice is basic)
3. Reach out to some alumni in UX roles for feedback
4. THEN consider a paid resume review service if I'm still not getting traction

Will update the thread with results in a few weeks! Thanks again everyone!!

Just want to add one thing - before you pay for ANY best resume writing service, check if your university offers free access to platforms like VMock or similar AI resume review tools. My school had a premium subscription we could use for free, and it gave pretty decent automated feedback.

Also, professional organizations in your field sometimes offer free resume reviews for student members. Worth checking out!

@JacquelinePLopez your plan sounds solid. Good luck! 🍀

Hey @JacquelinePLopez, as someone who made the same career transition (psychology to UX) two years ago, I can tell you that the best resume writing service for career change might help with framing your experience, but it's not magic.

What really worked for me was:

Emphasizing research methods from psychology that apply to UX
Showcasing my understanding of human behavior and cognitive processes
Highlighting any design thinking or visual projects I'd done

If you want, DM me and I can share my before/after resume as an example of how I made the transition without paying for a service. Sometimes seeing a real example is better than generic advice!

But if you're short on time and have the money, a specialized resume writing services for career changers might be worth it. Just make sure they have experience with UX specifically.

i just want to say THANK YOU for this thread! i'm in a similar situation and was about to drop $250 on what claimed to be the "best resume writing service" but now i'm going to try the DIY approach first.

@ResumeSage do you think it's worth trying those Fiverr resume writers? they're way cheaper like $30-50 range

@Rookie I've seen mixed results with Fiverr. The quality varies WILDLY. Some are great value, others are clearly using AI tools that you could use yourself for free.
If you go that route:

Check their reviews carefully, especially from people in your industry
Look for writers who ask detailed questions about your background before starting
Be wary of super-fast turnarounds (good customization takes time)
Make sure revisions are included

A $40 resume from someone with actual industry knowledge can be better than a $300 resume from a "best resume service online" with generic writers.
Oh, and ALWAYS check the final product through an ATS simulator to make sure it's actually compatible with application systems!