Your Questions About IT Resume Writing, Answered
I've been an IT resume writer since 2010. My site has grown in that time—and continues to grow—so I felt it was time to answer some of the questions I frequently hear from prospective clients in one place. Feel free to follow the links to get more information, or reach out to set up an initial conversation (completely free of charge).
How much does an IT resume writing service cost?
There's a huge range—from a couple hundred dollars for low-end services to executive writers charging $10K. My —including IT resume, LinkedIn profile, and two hours of coaching—range from $1,400 to $1,900 based on career level. Full details are on my pricing page.
Why are you more expensive than other IT resume writing services?
There are several reasons: 15+ years of experience, exclusive specialization in technology resumes, and real writing skill. I also take far more time than is typical in this industry, starting with the initial call, so I can actually capture my clients' voice and value.
Are resume writing services worth it?
Yes—but only if you pick the right one. There's a huge range of skill, cost, experience, and value in the resume writing industry. A great resume writing service can transform your career and make the job search easier, faster, and less stressful. A bad one can, at best, waste your money—and at worst, actively harm your career.
How long does it take to write an IT resume?
There's a wide range—from a day or two at the low end to a month or more elsewhere. I promise a 2-4 week turnaround, and I'm usually on the shorter end of that. One thing worth considering: a 1-2 day turnaround typically means a rough draft that goes through many revisions, which can take weeks. My drafts are clean and usable the day you get them.
Do you use AI resume writing?
Never—absolutely never. AI has many uses and values; I'll use it for brainstorming business ideas. But I won't use it for writing copy. Primarily, that's because an IT resume is, and must be, a fully human document—one that communicates one human being's career to another human being. AI can't capture an IT professional's career or value proposition effectively, nor does it have the intuition to make the necessary choices on language, style, and impact.
Will you write me an ATS-optimized resume?
Of course—but that matters less than you may have heard. "ATS-optimized resume" has become something of a sales gimmick for the resume mills; any well-written IT resume will be ATS-optimized. More importantly, I write resumes that are optimized for human readers—because it's the human reader who decides to call you.
What's the difference between an IT resume writer and a resume mill?
Generally, an IT resume writer works independently and directly with you. A resume mill has a massive web presence, is very cheap, and makes massive claims. More importantly, you have no idea who's actually writing your resume at a resume mill—the writer is almost certainly offshored, and you'll have no direct contact.
How do I know if my IT resume is good enough?
The simplest answer is this: if your resume is getting callbacks for interviews—even at a fairly small percentage—it may well be good enough. If you're not hearing back after submitting hundreds or thousands of resumes, the problem may be that your resume isn't telling a clear story, isn't highlighting your value, or is difficult to read. If you're unsure, a free initial conversation can give you an honest read on where you stand.
What is the CAR method for IT resumes?
CAR stands for Challenge, Action, Results, and it's a very effective strategy for writing an IT resume. Most IT resumes are almost exclusively about actions—the things you've done, the tools you've used. That's important, but you need the challenge you were solving to give context, and the results to show what you accomplished. I've written more about CAR in this article.
Do I need a LinkedIn profile with my IT resume?
Yes—in almost every case. LinkedIn is where recruiters go to source talent, and a blank or weak profile can look unprofessional to anyone reading your resume. The only exception is if updating your LinkedIn would telegraph to your boss or HR that you're job hunting.
Do you work with international IT professionals?
Absolutely. I've written IT resumes for clients in the US, Canada, Uruguay, Ireland, the UK, Germany, Jordan, Singapore, and the Philippines, and I understand the subtle cultural differences that affect IT resumes and job searches in different countries.
Do you write resumes for all IT roles?
Yes—I've written IT resumes across virtually every technology discipline and career level, from early-career engineers to C-suite executives.
You interview your clients. That's different from most IT resume writing services, right?
Yes—as far as I know, I'm the only IT resume writer who uses an interview process exclusively to gather data, with no worksheets or questionnaires. Worksheets aren't interactive, so they're not a good way to dig deeply into a client's career. My approach to interviewing includes coaching as well. The best compliment I've ever received after an interview was, "JM, I've never seen my career so clearly before!"
How many people are on your team?
Just me. I work with a proofreader, but beyond that, I'm a one-person shop—you'll work with me, and only me, from our first call through project sign-off.
Do you subcontract to other IT resume writers?
Never. Every word you receive from me is written by me.
Are you certified?
Yes—I hold the ACRW certification from the Resume Writing Academy. The ACRW is the most demanding and rigorous certification course in the industry and demonstrates a strong command of resume writing best practices.
What should I call you? JM?
Yes. This confuses everyone. My name is John-Michael, but I've gone by "J.M." for a very long time.
To learn more about my IT resume writing services, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm happy to answer any questions about how I work, what I deliver, and how working with me can help you advance your IT career more quickly and with less stress.