Secrets of the resume writing business

Secrets from resume student Michele Angello
on what has made her a success in the resume writing business

(This is an interview from "The Golden Thread" on how to become a successful resume writer. The Golden Thread is a newsletter for students of the Resume Writing Programs.)

TGTO: What appealed to you most about starting your own resume
writing business?

MA: I was attracted to the Resume Writing Course because it
was a business that I could start right away -- with very little
investment -- that had the potential for making a lot of money. Just
like most students reading this, I already had everything I needed.
It was as simple as owning a computer and a printer and believing I
had decent writing skills.

TGTO: How much time did you put into the course? And how
long did it take you to get up and running once you started?

MA: The time I put into the course was minimal. The materials are
very straightforward and simple to get through. I think I spent an
afternoon reading them. I started marketing right away, but didn't
get a lot of business until my Yellow Pages ad came out.

TGTO: Where do the majority of your clients come from?

MA: Hands down … the Yellow Pages. If you're interested in this
business, put as much money as you can into the biggest ad you
can afford.

TGTO: Do you do this full time? Part time? How many hours do
you put in?

MA: I kept my job until January of 2001, then started resume
writing full time.

Actually, though I consider this to be my full-time job, I really
spend only about 20 hours a week doing it. When you start up, you
need to be fanatical about marketing and networking -- putting in
as many hours as possible. Now, I spend most of my time dealing
with clients and writing.

TGTO: How much money would you say you can expect to
earn per year at the rate you are going?

MA: Resume writers are fairly well paid. I know writers that are
making over six figures a year after being in the business seven or
eight years. In my experience, things start out slow for the first
year. But as you start getting referrals and repeat business, it is
easy to make $40,000 to $50,000 a year.

TGTO: What did you do prior to starting your resume business?

MA: I spent eight years in the video-production business. While I
enjoyed the creative aspect of the business, I had spent too many
years making too little money. There are a lot of huge egos in that
business too -- which is something I have a personal distaste for.
But I had always enjoyed writing scripts for the projects I worked
on, so I decided to go in that direction instead.

TGTO: What's been the best thing about your career change so far?

MA: Working at home is WONDERFUL! My commute is five
seconds to my home office. I can also determine my own schedule.
If I want to finish up a project at 1:00 a.m. because I can't sleep -- I
can. As a night owl, I can respect my internal clock and not get up
when it's still dark out. And I can take in as much or as little work
as I want.

TGTO: What advice would you give someone who's considering
getting into the resume writing business?

MA: Think about your phone sales skills before starting. Asking
for a sale on the phone is something that I have really had to work
on. It's been the only really difficult thing I've had to deal with in
starting this business. (I'm improving though!) Also, consider
joining the Professional Association of Resume Writers. The
support and advice I have received from them has been invaluable.
I can't emphasize enough what a wonderful group of people they
are. Going to their convention is a good idea too. Their website
address is www.parw.com.

TGTO: How has what you've learned in Michael Masterson's
Copywriting Course helped you?

MA: Taking the copywriting course (and going to the bootcamp)
gave me the fundamentals for writing more effective resumes. For
example, I write headlines instead of objectives … and I think in
terms of benefits instead of features. I've also used my copywriting
skills to put together my marketing materials and the website that I
am working on now.

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