Writing a resume may not seem like a difficult task for a writer like you, but for the average person it can cause serious anxiety attacks. A resume is a job seeker’s first impression of a potential new job, so he wants to get it right. Many people (rightly) don’t believe in their ability to craft a great resume, so they hire a freelance resume writer to do it for them.
Resume writing can earn you $30 to $300 per resume, even if you’re new to it. No, it’s not a typo, and it’s not a bad change for an hour or two of your time!
How Can I Get Freelance Resume Writing Gigs?
Everyone needs a resume. College students looking for their first job, executives looking for a promotion, stay-at-home moms ready to go back to work, retirees looking for some extra cash…the list goes on.
The best way to find these jobs is to make them easier to find. Advertise in a newspaper (weekends are usually best), or better yet, put one in the Yellow Pages. Even a small advertisement can attract a lot of attention.
You can also look online, but usually the few you can find don’t pay very well. Resume writing services can also hire you to provide freelance services, but you will make more money if you run your own business.
What skills do you need to write a good resume?
First, you need perfect spelling and grammar. You should also focus on a nice layout. The resume should flow logically, with plenty of white space, professional fonts, and the like.
Different jobs require different resumes; if you’re not sure what’s best for what, buy a book on resume writing from your local bookstore. It gives you basic tips for writing different resumes that may seem strange to you at first.
It also helps if you are creative, especially if your client has a less than stellar work history. Have they ever volunteered? Do they have hobbies they can sell as skills? Remember that people hire you to present themselves in the best possible light.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to have a portfolio to show off to your future clients. If you don’t have a sample portfolio, create a few resumes and put them in a folder. You don’t need any real experience, just willing to take the time to create some samples.
What should I say to potential customers?
Okay, you’ve placed your ad and you’ve been contacted to write a resume, but they want to know how much it will cost you. How do you?
Suppose you receive an email from someone that reads:
Hello. I urgently need a new resume. I had a dead end job at a fast food restaurant and I really wanted to do something different. How much does it cost to get a new resume? Thank you
Did you write back to the poor guy and say, “Thanks for your question. My fee is $75 per resume”? Do not!
Rebecca’s email, while subtle, asked for much more than the price of a resume. She hates her job and she longs for progress in the world. If you work at a fast food restaurant, you know she probably doesn’t have many skills or anything better than a high school diploma (if she has one). She may not have much money either. Basically, Rebecca wants to know if you’re the right person to help her out of a depressing situation.
A response like the one below will send the message: Yes, you are the right person for this job.