Writing resumes for profit - Business Opportunities

Home Office Computing, April, 1992 by Kay Larocca

An Expert's Advice

On Running a

Lucrative Part-Time

Business

If you're searching for a way to make money with your computer or to expand an existing service business (such as a word-processing or secretarial service), consider starting a resume business. A professionally prepared resume is something that almost everyone needs at some point. The graduate fresh out of college, the employee in a slump who desires a career change, or anyone who has just been laid off will need to have a resume prepared professionally.

Before considering such a business venture, however, you should be able to answer yes to all of these questions:

* Do you have a good command of the English language?

* Do you like to meet and talk with new people?

* Do you have at least average typing skills?

* Do you know or are you willing to learn what employers look for in a resume?

* Are you willing to put extra time and effort into your business to ensure its success?

I began my operation six years ago, working on my kitchen table. Today, I make between $1,500 and $2,000 a month (working 15 to 20 hours a week) while still working at a full-time job outside the home (as a crew scheduler for a major airline). The one thing that has made my business so successful is that I try to be a professional and creative resume writer. I don't type what a client tells me word for word. A good resume writer has the ability to listen attentively and to ask the right questions in order to pull the right information from each client. I end consultations with the question, Is there any other information that you would want a prospective employer to know?

Of course, you can't guarantee anyone employment, but once you're established you should get positive feedback and obtain a good percentage of future clients from referrals alone. Here are a few tips to get your business going:

Advertising. A great deal of business can be obtained by placing a classified ad in the local paper under SERVICES (my preference) or SITUATIONS WANTED. Key phrases to use in ads are fast, professional writing; low rates; excellent service; and satisfaction guaranteed. It's important to stress that you're a professional writer, not just a typist.

Advertising in the yellow page is effective but can be more expensive than classified ads. In order to be in the yellow pages you must have a business phone line, even if you operate your business from home. If you do go into the yellow pages, list your company name under SECRETARIAL SERVICES, TYPING SERVICES, or WORD-PROCESSING SERVICES.

One good way to generate work during slack times is to distribute leaflets and fliers around town. Once your business is established, you might also make contact with corporate out-placement firms and ask that they refer job seekers to you. But the best form of advertising is word-of-mouth referals, from one satisfied customer to another. Copy edit and proofread each job meticulously to make sure the final product is error-free.

Pricing. For clients with a written draft "ready to go," I charge $35 for one page, $40 for two pages, and $45 for three pages. Of course, I make slight changes, make sure the resume is grammatically correct, and choose an attractive format. My price includes 20 resumes on bond paper (25-pound) with a choice of colors (white, ivory, gray, or blue). I charge $5 extra for each additional 20 copies.

If the client is starting from scratch and needs consultation to develop a resume that articulates his or her objectives, I charge $50 for one page, $35 for two pages, and $60 for three pages. That fee includes 45 to 60 minutes of consultation.

In either case, I charge $25 extra for a same-day rush job, and $3 for a personalized cover letter to submit with the resume.

Writing. You may have heard general advice on resumes such as, Resumes should never be more than one page, or, Don't use colored paper. In fact, there is no universal format, but there are general guidelines. The most important is to keep all descriptions short, otherwise prospective employers may not bother to read them.

I have prepared several interview forms asking for data on education and job history, which I use as starting points for discussions with my clients. All resumes should include a career objective, which may vary if the client is seeking several different jobs. Someone looking for a supervisory or management position should include a summary of qualifications written in paragraph form. Someone looking for a clerical position should include a special skills and abilities section. Personal data does not need to be incorporated into the resume unless it relates to the position sought.

Whoever your client is, project a professional image at all times. Whether you are talking on the phone or meeting with a client, conduct yourself appropriately. Above all, maintain complete confidentiality with your clients and make sure your product is always error-free. By doing so, you'll be able to distinguish yourself from the many resume writers who post handwritten notices in supermarkets.