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Article #173: Launch Your Own Resume Writing Business

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Some people want to start their own It could happen, but it is unlikely.
business, but are not in a financial Once you have gained a working knowledge
position to take a risk. In this case, it of various occupational areas and have
is wise to keep your job and start slowly mastered the art of interviewing clients,
by working only in the evenings and on you will need to have very good word
weekend. processing and document formatting skills
As a home-based entrepreneur, you must so you can create an attractive looking
feel comfortable bringing clients into resume. You will also need to have a
your home. If you have small children and knowledge of the resume writing process
your home does not have a separate so you can lay the resume out on paper in
entrance, make sure someone is able to the proper manner.
watch your children to avoid For example, you should know that the
interruption. Education section for a new college
Make sure your family is supportive and graduate is the first section before work
is willing to keep the house clean and experience unless their work experience
quiet when you know you are expecting a is extensive. In short, you need to know
client. what will sell your client to a hiring
START UP COSTS / EARNINGS company. This is why the resume is called
To succeed as a resume writer does a marketing tool.
require a lot of determination and hard When you are done creating the resume,
work, but it does not have to cost an the client will let you know if they are
unreasonable amount of money to get happy with the results and will work with
started. you on revisions.
Start up costs will vary depending on When it is finalized, it is recommended
your investment. To begin, you will want to only send an email version of the
to purchase a good computer or laptop resume to clients because they need to
with high speed Internet access and a learn how to modify their resumes if they
good word processor such as MS Word or want to ensure a successful job search
WordPerfect. campaign. This is the more affordable and
Ideally, you should have a wireless efficient solution for both you and your
laptop so you can sit somewhere clients because the hard prints quickly
comfortably when you work or for when you become obsolete.
want to take your computer on the road You should never a hardcopy of the cover
for whatever reason. You will also need a letter to your client because the cover
laser printer, a desktop or internal fax letter must be personally addressed to
service, and a second telephone line if the hiring manager. This should only be
you live with people who use the phone a provided in electronic form such as email
lot. or CD.
Supplies include toner and resume paper Another very important form of the resume
if you are providing resume prints to the client will need is a plain text
clients. Internet based clients are version. You will need to learn how to
satisfied with the electronic version of convert and format the resume to plain
their resume. Mailing clients hard prints text so the client can upload their
of their resumes should be an added cost resume to major job boards such as
to the client since you must charge tax monster, hotjobs, and careerbuilder.
on a tangible item. DEFINING YOUR BUSINESS
Good resume paper averages three to ten A resume writer falls into two categories
cents per sheet and postage costs depend -- a resume generalist or niche writer. A
on how many prints you are sending. It resume generalist writes for all
can be a lot if the resume is two pages occupational disciplines and a niche
and you are also creating a cover letter writer resume writer specializes in one
and references sheet. occupation such as teachers, or a career
The national salary average for a home level such college students.
based resume writer ranges from $25,000 When a resume writer specializes in one
to $100,000. This depends on how much occupation, that area of specialization
marketing is done, how many clients are is considered a niche market. If you
serviced, how much is charged. Other decide to target a niche market, you will
considerations include whether or not a be expected to have an expertise in this
resume writer is working alone, is in a area.
business partnership, or employing So be sure to master everything you need
subcontractors. to know in that occupational area. You
MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS might not get as much business as a
There are two sure fire ways to generate generalist would in the beginning, but as
new business. If you are looking to start the years progress you will grow your
small, local advertising in the Yellow niche business if you work hard and
Pages is the best way to get started. At smart.
first you can begin with an in column WORK CONDITIONS
print ad. Some people are not comfortable with
Simply having a commercial telephone bringing clients into their homes.
number gives you a free line listing in Reasons range from personal safety,
the Yellow Pages under your business personal privacy and local zoning issues.
category, but will not generate as much Whatever the reason, there are
business as an ad would. You can alternatives to get around this issue.
eventually graduate to display ads with Many local libraries have lounge areas
color or large black print ads. Often, that serve as ideal meeting places. It is
the charge goes directly on your monthly a quiet environment that allows for few
phone bill. interruptions, if any, and privacy.
The other way is to launch a website. As a resume writer, you can bring a
Unless you can do your own website, you laptop to the meeting to take notes and
will need to hire a web designer. Costs even conduct Internet research if you
range from $200 and up for a basic have access to a wireless network,
website and will increase significantly assuming your laptop is wireless.
depending on how much traffic you After the initial meeting and work
generate and the size of your website. session, communication can continue by
These variable affect your hosting costs. way of telephone and email with a sense
You will need to tell your web designer of confidence and trust in the
what you want the website to say and how client-writer relationship. Other places
you want it to look and work for you. So to meet include coffee shops, bookstores,
be sure to do your homework by looking at and college campuses.
other websites to get a feel for content PROTECTION OF YOUR TIME & EXPERTISE
and design. Often a resume writer provides more
After you have a website developed, information in the way of career
potential clients must be able to find counseling beyond the immediate task of
you on the Internet. That involves Search resume writing. This is a natural process
Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques. that almost cannot be avoided.
This effort determines where you will be It is important that a resume writer has
found in Google, Yahoo, and MSN ranging a clear understanding of what the client
from page 1, not all, or anywhere in is seeking to do with their career. As a
between. result, the resume writer often coaches
You can do Internet research on SEO and makes suggestions that result in a
strategies and teach yourself the client's career direction and facilitates
necessary skills. Doing your own SEO is the development of the resume.
recommended for the small business owner Most people are honest in their
or you can hire someone to do it for you. intentions. However, once in a while a
SEO costs can be as much as $3,000 to get resume writer may run into a person whose
started and as much as $1,000 a month to intentions are not well meaning and are
maintain and increase your page ranking. seeking to obtain information without
Getting excellent page ranking can take having to pay for it. It is in the resume
up to a year. Once you get there, the job writer's best interest to obtain payment
never ends. You must always maintain the in the first fifteen minutes of meeting
website to ensure you continue to rank with a client. This sets the tone of a
favorably. There is SEO software on the business meeting and makes the client's
market that you can purchase to help you intentions honest and clear.
manage the process. Without taking this initial step, they
DEVELOPING YOUR SKILLS are setting themselves up to hear, "Okay,
Client relationships and the art of well thank you very much. I appreciate
resume writing and cover letter writing your time. I will speak with my wife
are probably the hardest part of all. tonight to see what she has to say." Of
There are so many occupations out there course, every customer has the
that you must have a general prerogative to decline using a resume
understanding of most of them to engage write's services. But a resume writer
in a good conversation with a jobseeker. does not want to realize this after
A potential client must be made to feel spending two hours coaching a client and
confident that you know what you are learning about their background.
talking about and will be able to do A reasonable commitment on the part of
their resume and cover letter. Writing a the potential customer to hire a resume
resume is not just about formatting and writer should be confirmed by telephone
throwing fancy words around. It is after providing a consultation before
important that you know what you are meeting in person.
doing in order to develop a good resume. ESTABLISHING CREDIBILITY
Today's jobseeker is very savvy and is Jobseekers need to know they can trust a
capable of writing a fairly decent resume resume writer before making payment. As a
using a vast array of free information resume writer, one way to gain
available to them in resume sample books credibility is to establish yourself with
and on the Internet. They hire resume writing organizations. These
professional resume writers because they organizations include the National Resume
need someone to provide consultative Writers' Association, the Professional
advice and to write a resume and cover Association of Resume Writers, Career
letter in way that they cannot. Masters Institute, and the Professional
You can visit many free Internet sites Resume Writers and Research Association.
such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook Annual memberships range from $150 to
or rent resume sample books from the $175. You will have the opportunity to
library to study various job types, network with other resume writers on an
client situations, and wording. The best e-list, have access to monthly
way to learn is working directly with newsletters, attend annual conventions.
clients. They will tell you what you need Convention fees are generally a few
to know simply by answering your hundred dollars to attend.
questions and telling you what they do, Other options include taking a tough test
which should include their to get certified as a professional resume
accomplishments. writer. Each organization has its own
A slow, but effective and affordable way guidelines. Modest test taking fees
to get started is to volunteer your free average a couple of hundred dollars and
resume writing services. Who wouldn't the average first time pass rate is 50
take advantage of that, considering percent with the opportunity to re-test
today's professional resume writer without having to pay additional fees.
charges anywhere from $89 for a very After that, the wait time is generally
basic resume to $1,500 for a six months to a year to test again for a
comprehensive executive resume. fee.
You can advertise your free services at LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
your local community college, library, Check with your local Chamber of Commerce
and homeless shelter, as well as help and accountant to set up your business
friends, family, and neighbors. Do not structure, business registration, and
expect to generate new business this way. taxes.






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