The job search is hard as is on its own; finding a resume writer or interview coach you trust doesn’t have to be.
With the hiring process becoming more complex over the years, there’s been a rise in the number of professionals offering services to support job seekers – everything from resume writing, to interview prep, to salary negotiation and beyond.
On one hand, this is great! More and more job seekers are finding they need specialized help, so it’s good that the market is growing to meet this demand. On the other hand, this also means there’s a lot of noise to sift through if you find yourself trying to find the right interview coach or resume writer for you.
At Bold Career Talk, we believe that the better educated you are about these services, the better equipped you’ll be to find a service provider that works best for you. In this article, you’ll learn which green and red flags to look out for in an interview coach, resume writer, or any career service provider. You’ll understand why your resume writer shouldn’t be scaring you with talk of ATS, which certifications and credentials to look for, why a higher price point can be a good sign, and more!
What to look for in an interview coach
Choosing the right interview coach can significantly impact your job search experience. Here are some key qualities to look for to make sure you get the best guidance and support in your interview prep.
- Balanced approach – Look for an interview coach who teaches you principles of good interviewing and effective communication, rather than just giving you scripted responses. A good interview coach should strike a balance between providing specific feedback on your answers and teaching you how to approach interviews holistically, to make sure you develop the skills to succeed beyond the coaching sessions.
- Support with interview nerves – Interview performance isn’t just about planning what you’ll say, it’s also about staying calm and confident so you can execute at your best. If you struggle with nervousness, imposter syndrome, or self-doubt in your interviews, make sure the coach you work with can help you address the emotional side of the process, in addition to the practical side of creating strong answers. Many coaches excel at polishing your communication skills and teaching you interview techniques, but may only scratch the surface when it comes to addressing the mindset or confidence components. By choosing a coach who focuses on both the technical and emotional components of interviewing, you’ll be better equipped to handle interviews with confidence and poise.
- Encourages you to be authentic – Look for a coach who encourages you to be yourself during interviews. Being true to your personality and values is crucial during the interview process; it ensures the company you end up at can truly appreciate you once you’re part of the team, which is essential for long-term job satisfaction. Your coach should encourage you to bring your authentic self to the interview, rather than giving you scripted responses or having you talk in a way that feels inauthentic.
- You like their communication style – Your interview coach will be teaching you how to communicate more effectively, so make sure you like the way they communicate and come across. Pick an interview coach you trust, feel comfortable with, and get along with naturally. No matter how experienced or well-reviewed a coach is, if their style or tone turns you off, you won’t truly absorb what they’re teaching. Before you hire someone, make sure you connect with them on a personal level and resonate with their style.
What to look for in a resume writer
With so many professionals offering resume writing services, it can be hard to distinguish the top-tier experts from the rest. Since Bold Career Talk focuses exclusively on interview preparation, we’ve asked our most trusted resume writer peers for their input on qualities you should look for in a resume writer.
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ATS knowledge – As a baseline, any writer you work with should be knowledgeable about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which is software used by employers to scan and filter resumes. Your writer should create resumes that are optimized for these systems, use appropriate keywords, and avoid formatting that can’t be read by ATS.
However, there’s more to writing a great resume than ATS optimization, so “the most important thing to look for in a resume writer regarding ATS is that they do not use ATS or anything about AI to sell you their resume service,” says Kali Falk, a Resume Writer and Career Coach. “Recruiting tools that use generative AI to evaluate candidates are still in their infancy and will take some time for adoption, especially at large companies. And ATS, at this time, is not a complex AI system,” Kali reassures.
Make sure your writer promises you more than just ATS readability, and doesn’t rely on it as a scare tactic to gain clients – “The process is simple and no resume writer should make their clients feel worried about ATS,” she adds.
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Revisions and editability – Check your resume writer’s revision policies. A good resume writer should offer at least one or two rounds of revisions in the initial fee, since “optimizing the final version can take a few iterations,” according to Kathleen Malkinski, a Certified Resume Writer and LinkedIn Writer.
The final document your resume writer provides to you should also be in an editable format, so you can tweak it in the future as needed. Kathleen illustrates this point with a story: “Make sure you know what formats you’ll receive. I had a client who was surprised to learn she had to pay an extra $50 for an editable Word version because her initial provider only gave her a PDF. Always confirm what’s included in the price!”
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Experience with your specific industry and/or career level – Make sure your resume writer has substantial experience in resume writing, especially in your industry or field. Kathleen shares that “many resume writers specialize in specific areas—they might focus on certain industries, functions, or experience levels.”
Experienced writers are more likely to understand industry-specific requirements. “They’re typically well-versed in those niches’ latest trends, requirements, processes, systems, and keywords. Some might concentrate on helping recent grads, mid-career professionals, or executives, tailoring their approach to meet those unique needs,” Kathleen points out. Pick someone who understands the unique challenges and expectations associated with your career stage.
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Additional services – Some writers offer comprehensive packages that include things like “a robust job search plan, networking, interviewing, negotiating compensation, and more,” Kathleen shares. She adds that your resume writer may also be able to help you with your LinkedIn profile and cover letter to “create a unified and cohesive professional narrative… [and] ensure consistency and cohesion in your brand.”
You’ll likely get the best results from someone who doesn’t just give you a resume, but also helps you understand how to get the most out of it. If your resume writer doesn’t offer these additional services, you can ask them if they can refer you to a peer who does.
What to look for in ANY career service provider
Finding the right career service provider — whether it’s an interview coach, resume writer, negotiation advisor, or job search strategist — can be a game-changer in your job search. No matter what type of expert you’re looking for, here are the qualities to look out for to ensure you get the best support possible.
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Certifications, Professional Affiliations, Continued education – “In an unregulated industry like career services, the closest you can come to ensuring someone is legit is to check out their credentials to make sure their work has been peer-reviewed,” says Mark Misiano, a Certified Professional Career Coach and Certified Executive Résumé Writer.
Look for writers and interview coaches with certifications from recognized professional organizations such as the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches (PARW/CC), and the National Resume Writers’ Association (NRWA). A writer who has completed this type of certification will likely have a deeper understanding of the subject matter than one who hasn’t.
Not sure if they’re certified? Here’s what Mark suggests: “Don’t hesitate to ask about certifications and continuing education before you make an investment decision. Those of us who are members of professional associations will likely enthusiastically talk to you about what we’re learning as we actively engage in professional development.”
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Reviews and Testimonials – Any experienced professional should have reviews and testimonials from previous clients. These can be found on the coach’s website, but don’t forget to search online to see what people are saying publicly. “I always point people to Google reviews and LinkedIn recommendations because that’s where you can truly find valuable information about the provider you’re considering hiring. The more positive reviews you see over a long period of time, the more likely you are to have a good experience,” Mark adds.
If you want to predict the future, look no further than the past. Mark goes on to remind us that it’s the same for any service provider: “When I write a résumé, I do my best to communicate my client’s future value by demonstrating past value. The same principle applies to job seekers who want to hire a professional: past value (validated by reviews) translates to future value (a good experience for you).”
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Trustworthiness – Working with a coach can be a game-changer for your job search, but it’s not a silver bullet, and the professional you work with should be mindful of the scope of results they can deliver. In other words, “If a coach promises results that sound too good to be true, they probably are,” says Diana Alt, a Career Coach and Job Search Strategist. “No coach can guarantee that you will get a job within a certain timeframe, get a raise of a certain amount, or that your resume will ‘always beat the ATS bots.’ Run away from anyone who makes promises like this.”
Curious about your coach’s success rate? Ask them to share customer satisfaction survey data, reviews, or even what results clients typically see after working with them.
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Teaching self-reliance – A great coach will leave you feeling empowered and capable in your job search, whether it’s in making edits to your resume or approaching future interviews. Diana points out that “you want a coach who will teach you to fish.” She goes on to explain that this means “they share the methods and the why behind certain things like writing a resume, doing network outreach, or other activities, so that you can continue to make progress without always having to be engaged in an expensive coaching program.”
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Price point – As with any service, you’ll quickly find that there’s a broad range of prices and quality for interview coaching and resume writing. You may be tempted to price-shop and find the cheapest option. But remember, price can often be an indicator of value. As Diana reminds us, “that coach who charges $500 for an hour session but has worked with hundreds of successful clients may be better for you than someone with less experience charging $150 for an hour.” Much like hiring a photographer, “you’re not paying a coach for hours of their time, you are paying them for their years or decades of experience.”
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Availability and turnaround time – When you first meet with the interview coach or resume writer, be sure to ask about their availability and turnaround time to make sure it aligns with your job search timeline. During busy seasons, these professionals’ calendars can get booked for several days or weeks ahead of time. If you’re in a rush, make sure to ask your provider how soon you’d be able to start working together.
A comprehensive interview coaching program will include a thorough curriculum that takes place over several coaching sessions and includes homework to do on your own time. At Bold Career Talk, we advise that clients book their free consultation at least 2-3 weeks before they expect to start interviewing, so they have enough time to make a decision and go through the program before they need to put their skills to use.
A resume can take anywhere from 2.5 to 6 weeks to complete once you start working with a resume writer, including the initial draft and revisions. How quickly or slowly you respond will also impact how long this process takes. Keep in mind that you’ll likely need to meet with your provider for an initial consultation before you start working together, so be sure to factor in 1-2 weeks before the resume writing period.
So, how do I pick the right interview coach or resume writer for me?
Now that you better understand what to look for in a resume writer or interview coach, you can make an educated choice in who you work with. If you’re not sure how to get started, here’s a step-by-step guide for finding the right interview coach or resume writer to suit your needs:
- Research service providers. You have a few options for how to do this:
- Go online and search “best interview coach near me” or “best resume writer near me.” This will help you narrow down your options to ones that are nearest to you. Of course, you’re welcome to expand your search beyond your geographical location, if you’d like to see a wider amount of options.
- Alternatively, you can look up “interview coach” or “resume writer” on LinkedIn.
- Narrow down your top 3 choices. Research each professional and what they offer. Take a look at our article for factors to consider when finding an interview coach.
- Choose your top pick based on approach, price, industry, reviews, and other factors that are important to you.
- Contact the service provider for next steps. Many resume writers and interview coaches offer a free consultation to get a better understanding of their services and whether they’re a good fit for you.
- Ask questions! Before you meet with any provider for a consultation, make sure you’re clear on what you need to understand about their services to make a decision. Here are a few suggestions:
- What is your availability? How soon would we meet, and how often?
- What’s the typical turnaround time for these services?
- How often do you work with professionals in my industry and/or career stage?
- What is your coaching approach? How do you tailor your writing to individual clients?
- What success stories, survey data, or client case studies can you share?
- What are your fees and what do they include?
Choosing the right interview coach or resume writer can feel overwhelming sometimes, but the positive impact on your job search (not to mention the peace of mind of knowing you’re working with a professional) is worth it.
At Bold Career Talk, we believe transparency helps us make better decisions when hiring an interview coach. If you’re ready to take your interview performance to the next level, book a free consultation to learn how we can work together!
