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11+ Top Resume Books in 2024 [to Advance Your Career]

Want to land your dream job?

You’ll need a rock-solid resume.

Done right, your resume will help you stand out among other candidates AND land you job interviews left and right!

In this article, we compiled 11+ of the best books about resumes to help you go from beginner to expert!

Whether you’re a recent graduate working on your first resume or a seasoned professional looking to brush up on your resume writing skills…

These resume books will definitely help!

Let's dive in!

13 Must-Read Resume Books in 2024

#1. job search masterclass .

Novoresume’s “Job Search Masterclass” is the only resume book you’ll ever need.

The book starts off by teaching you all you need to know to create a compelling resume, including:

• Picking the right resume format and layout
• Creating an attention-grabbing resume summary
• Showcasing your work experience in the best way possible
• Optimizing your resume for applicant tracking systems

But that’s not all.

This resume book also teaches you how to match your resume with a compelling cover letter, prepare for a job interview, apply for jobs, and more!

There’s even a dedicated section for finding and landing remote jobs, as well as a section about less-known job-search hacks (some that the team at Novoresume came up with)!

Grab the eBook now and gain a competitive advantage over other job seekers.

#2. Resumes for Dummies

"Resumes for Dummies" by Laura DeCarlo is a book that provides answers to common resume-writing questions. Whether it’s your first time creating a resume or just want to brush up on your resume-building skills, this book can help. 

The author decodes all the ways resume writing has evolved and offers insider tips on the best practices that will make your skills shine and your resume stand out. 

The book covers topics such as understanding applicant tracking systems , adjusting your resume to current job trends, and leveraging tips and tricks to make your resume layout shine . 

By following the advice in this book, job seekers can write effective resumes that will help them stand out from the competition.

#3. The Damn Good Resume Guide

"The Damn Good Resume Guide, Fifth Edition: A Crash Course in Resume Writing" by Yana Parker and Beth Brown has been a comprehensive resource for job seekers looking to write or refine their resumes for nearly three decades.

Written by Yana Parker and Beth Brown, the book is filled with savvy advice and contemporary sample resumes that offer valuable tips on creating a functional, hybrid, or chronological resume and advice on dealing with gaps in work history or other such scenarios. The book also provides guidance on submitting resumes electronically, setting up informational interviews, and polishing and proofing your resume to stand out in the job market. 

#4. Modernize Your Resume

"Modernize Your Resume" by Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark is a guide that teaches job seekers how to create a winning resume that meets the complexities of today's employment market. 

The third edition includes new resume samples and writing guidelines, special chapters for challenging circumstances, such as career changes , military transitions, and updated tips on creating and submitting your resume online. 

The book also covers topics such as tailoring the contents of your resume, integrating keywords from the job description into your application, choosing the right format , and creating a distinctive design that makes your resume stand out. 

#5. The 7 Second CV 

"The 7 Second CV" by James Reed, the chairman of Britain’s largest recruitment company, offers practical advice on how to write an effective CV that will impress potential employers and land your dream job. 

With employers taking just seven seconds to save or reject a CV, Reed provides specific tips on how to make your CV stand out right away and what employers want to see. This advice is based on one-on-one interviews, surveys, and workshops conducted across Reed's network of recruitment consultants. 

The book is accessible, practical, and packed with layout examples, tips, and pull-out quotes to help job seekers understand what employers are looking for and land their next job.

Wondering whether you should submit a CV or a resume on your next job application? Find out the main differences between a CV and a resume in this article to make an informed decision. 

#6. The 2-Hour Job Search

“The 2-Hour Job Search” by Steve Dalton provides a practical approach to help job seekers secure first interviews by working smarter and faster. 

Steve Dalton, a senior career consultant and professor at Duke University, guides readers through creating a job search system that relies on software like Excel, Google, LinkedIn, and alumni databases to create a list of target employers. 

On top of that, it teaches readers the most effective ways to contact them and secure an interview - all within two hours. 

#7. The Google Resume

“The Google Resume: How to Prepare for a Career and Land a Job at Apple, Microsoft, Google, or any Top Tech Company” is a comprehensive resume book that’ll teach you how to land a job at top tech companies such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft. 

Author Gayle Laakmann McDowell draws on her own experiences working at Google and interviewing candidates to provide insider knowledge on what these companies look for in candidates. 

The book covers topics such as:

• What to study in university if you want to land a job at your favorite tech company?
• What extracurricular activities do employers want to see from entry-level candidates?
• How to design and tailor your resume to the job listing.
• How to ace the job interview in any tech company you apply to. 

#8. Knock’ em Dead Resumes

Knock 'em Dead Resumes is a comprehensive book on how to create a powerful and effective resume that will catch the attention of employers and recruiters. 

With over 30 years of experience, Martin Yate provides expert advice on crafting a resume that stands out in a resume database, builds a strong personal brand , passes the seven-second scan test, and speaks directly to what employers are looking for. 

The 12th edition includes updated advice and dozens of sample resumes to help job seekers create a winning document that will get them the job they want.

#9. The Resume Writing Guide

The Resume Writing Guide is a comprehensive workbook that leads you through the entire process of creating a resume. 

It breaks down the complex job of resume writing into small, manageable tasks, making it easy to write a resume that's tailored to your skills and professional experience . 

This book contains the kind of expertise that only comes from real job search experience, with author Lisa McGrimmon having written over 1000 resumes and helped over 2000 job seekers find work. 

You'll learn how to write impactful resume summaries and objectives, choose the best resume style, organize and format your resume, and more. 

McGrimmon illustrates the techniques mentioned in this resume book with real resume examples and includes 16 full sample resumes to show you how to effectively use those strategies on your resume.

#10. Resume 101

“Resume 101: How to Write an Effective Resume, LinkedIn Profile, and Cover Letter” is a comprehensive book that can help job seekers leverage popular job search tools to the maximum. 

The book offers step-by-step instructions on writing effective resumes, cover letters , and LinkedIn profiles , beating Applicant Tracking Systems, and navigating job sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. 

Author Steven Mostyn draws on over 20 years of experience crafting custom resumes for candidates with all sorts of experience levels, from recent graduates to CEOs.

#11. How to Write an Amazing IT Resume

“How to Write an Amazing IT Resume: Get the Interview Every Time” is a comprehensive guide designed for IT professionals who are looking for their dream job. 

Whether you're a seasoned IT veteran or fresh out of school, this book offers everything you need to know to create an effective and impressive IT resume. 

Written by Baron Fendler, the book is packed with practical tips and advice to help you navigate the recruitment process, including how to get past applicant tracking systems, catch the attention of the IT recruiter, and impress the hiring manager. 

This resume book is perfect for anyone in the IT industry, from network architects to software engineers .

#12. How to Write the Perfect Resume

"How to Write the Perfect Resume: Stand Out, Land Interviews, and Get the Job You Want" by Dan Clay is a comprehensive book that teaches job seekers how to craft the perfect resume that will get noticed by hiring managers. 

With over ten years of experience navigating the competitive job market, Clay provides step-by-step instructions to transform an average resume into an outstanding one. 

The book covers various topics such as avoiding common resume mistakes , handling extended employment gaps, and creating a powerful resume that showcases one's skills and achievements. 

10 Benefits of Reading Resume Books

Ever felt stuck with your job search?

Applying for positions left and right, but not getting any interview invites?

Well, that’s the exact problem resume books can help you solve!

Here is everything you can get out of reading resume books: 

• Gain knowledge about industry-specific standards and requirements for resumes.
• Learn how to effectively highlight your accomplishments clearly and concisely.
• Learn about different ways you can format your resume.
• Get tips on how to tailor your resume to specific job postings and company cultures.
• Develop strategies for addressing gaps in employment, career changes, or other potential red flags on your resume.
• Discover common mistakes to avoid on your resume, such as using buzzwords or including irrelevant experiences.
• Access examples of successful resumes and learn what makes them so great.
• Improve your writing and communication skills in general, which can benefit you in other areas of your professional life.
• Gain confidence in your ability to present yourself on paper to potential employers.
• Stay up-to-date on current trends and best practices in the job search process, such as using social media for job hunting or leveraging personal branding.

Overall, reading resume books can provide a wealth of knowledge and practical advice for crafting a compelling and effective resume, which can ultimately lead to greater success in your job search.

FAQs About Resume Books 

Do you still have some questions about resume books? Check out our answers to the most frequently asked questions below!

#1. What is a resume book?

A resume book is a book or an eBook that helps job-seekers create effective resumes and attention-grabbing CVs . 

Generally, resume books provide tips on identifying your key strengths and experiences, structuring information effectively, tailoring your resume for specific job openings, and navigating the job application process effectively.

#2. What are some good resume books for when you’re changing careers? 

Novorėsumė’s “ Job Search Masterclass ” is one of our top recommendations if you’re looking for a great resume book during your career change. 

The book offers invaluable advice on how to leverage your past work experiences and achievements in a new industry, highlight your transferable skills , use your cover letter to elaborate on your career change, and nail every job interview you attend.

#3. What’s the purpose of resume books? 

The purpose of resume books is to provide job-seekers of all industries and career levels with the right knowledge to create an attention-grabbing resume and increase their chances of landing their dream job. 

Resume books achieve this by telling you everything you need to know about resumes, including what the right resume format is, how long should a resume be , which resume sections are mandatory and which are optional, and much more!

#4. Can resume books be helpful in my job search? 

Resume books can be helpful in your job search, regardless of your profession, career level, or industry. 

Why? Because every job that you’ll ever apply to will require that you submit a resume. It’s what recruiters evaluate when deciding which candidates to invite for a job interview.

Meaning, if you want to land your dream job, you need an impeccable resume.

Conclusion 

And that’s a wrap on the best resume books in 2024!

We hope that you found just the right resource to help you perfect your resume and effectively tailor it to every job you apply for, whether you’re a student, an entry-level employee, or a seasoned professional. 

For more career advice and job hunt resources, check out our career blog .

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• Services & Software

Article updated on May 10, 2024 at 5:00 PM PDT

Best Resume Writing Services for 2024

Whether you need to build a new resume from scratch or want some professional advice, we’ve curated the best websites, apps and services to make you stand out.

Our Experts

• She received the Renau Writing Scholarship in 2016 from the University of Louisville's communication department.

• Apple software beta tester, "Helps make our computers and phones work!" - Zach's grandparents

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Even you've written a resume before, the job market is always changing and it can be hard to keep up with. Having a fresh resume ready when you aren't searching can make a huge difference if you need it in a pinch. New formats, new terms and making sure your experience is not only up to date but relevant to the job you're applying for can be stressful. Take the pressure off with the best resume writing services.

Some of what you'll need to include in your resume will depend on the industry you want to work in. While it can vary, employers will likely look at your education, work history and skills. We’ve combed through dozens of resume services looking at the most helpful features across a variety of needs. We looked especially closely at the number of custom templates, the amount of guidance the service offered, the ease of navigation and the robustness of the service's privacy policy. Each of these templates and professional writing services will help you create a complete resume that best reflects your skills and experience at an affordable price.

What’s the best resume builder website?

The best resume template and builder should give you a variety of options to customize your resume. Resume.com has many options and customization features that make it a useful tool for almost any candidate applying to any job. You can upload and edit an existing resume, customize an available template from its collection or let the service guide you through creating one from scratch. Resume.com also offers helpful guidance throughout your resume creation process, making sure you include and optimize all your content. Once you’re happy with your resume, you can download it for free in multiple formats.

Depending on where you’re at in the job application process, you might need more guidance than a template. These professional writing services will pair you with experienced writers and coaches to help you craft and perfect resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters and more. These services include more personalized coaching and features, but they tend to be more expensive. We’ve collected a range of options for your budget and needs. Because your resume likely includes your contact information and some personal information, we've also included information about each service's privacy policy.

Best resume templates and builders of 2024

A well-constructed resume can help you stand out during a job search.

• Can create new resume or customize templates
• Many free features, guidance while writing
• Integrated with Indeed job search site
• Difficulty unsubscribing from paid services

Best free resume builder

Resume.com is a free resume writer offering dozens of templates for creating your resume or cover letter, as well as job boards and career advice. You have the option to upload and edit an existing resume, create a new one, or customize one of the sample resumes offered on the site. It's intuitive and easy to use, and it creates a professional-looking final product.

When starting from scratch, you'll go section by section, entering your education, employment history, hobbies and interests, professional skills, languages and references. Resume.com provides question prompts and tips for guidance, as well as career-specific examples you can add if you're struggling to find the right words. You can also choose to forgo any of these sections, rearrange sections and add custom ones depending on what you need. As you update and save each section, you can see how it will appear on the page on your resume preview to the right. You can also change the template, font style and size, or spacing at any time and see it update in real-time in the preview. 

Once you're done, you can download your new resume (in PDF, DocX, RTF or TXT format), create a custom URL or print it out. You also have the option to upload it to Indeed, a job search site that partners with Resume.com . The account you make will work with both Indeed and Resume.com . On the privacy side, the site does collect user information. If you want to delete your account, simply click your profile icon and then Account . Clicking Close My Account deletes your account and your data. If you didn't make an account, you can still choose Delete Guest Data . You can also request your data, and the company will send you an email with what it has collected. 

On the review site Trustpilot , Resume.com only has 38 reviews, but of those, 53% of them awarded the site four or five stars. Some negative reviews speak of difficulty unsubscribing from paid services, so read carefully as you use the free aspects of this service . 

• Guided help writing work experience descriptions
• Cover letter and CV help
• Easy to change layout and color styles
• Must pay to download resume

Best option for your first resume

Resume genius.

The website Resume Genius says you can "make a professional resume in 12 minutes." We tested it out and indeed had a solid first draft of an easy resume completed in about 10 minutes. Resume Genius takes you step-by-step through the process, prompting you with questions about your education and work experience to help you fill out the applicable sections. Resume Genius is particularly helpful because you can search for a job and see prewritten text for the description that you can add or edit. When finished, you can easily toggle between different templates to see what looks best for the final product. You also have the option to directly share your resume with Indeed or Resume Library. 

The site can also help you build cover letters and curriculum vitae. After you input all your information, you can choose different layout styles and colors. It's easy to move through, but you have to do it in order and fill in all the information before continuing. Resume Genius also offers examples of resumes, CVs and cover letters for specific jobs, as well as recommended jobs near you. You can download the resume you create for $3 (which starts a 14-day trial for Resume Genius Pro), or $8 (which kicks off a monthly subscription plan). If you fail to cancel your trial before the 14 days are up, you'll be billed $24 every four weeks, according to the site. 

On Trustpilot at the time of this publication, the site has 4.6 out of 5 stars based on more than 38,000 reviews. Note that if you register on the site, Resume Genius does collect personally identifiable information and may share it with third parties for advertising and other purposes, according to its privacy policy. The account deletion process is buried in the Terms of Service . According to Resume Genius, complete data erasure can take up to 30 days, but they may retain "certain information in accordance with privacy laws."

• Easy to customize
• Free downloads
• Optional paid extra assistance with Indeed professionals
• Unclear how to delete personal information

Easiest resume builder to use

Indeed resume builder.

It's free to create a resume or post your current resume on Indeed. If you're building a new one, you can choose between eight templates. The resume sections are highlighted and when you click, each section expands specific text fields. You can swap templates at any time without losing your work, as well. There are also options for toggling sections on and off, in addition to rearranging them. When you're finished, you can download a free PDF of your work history.

Indeed Resume Builder also offers optional professional advice for your new resume. After you download the resume you created, you'll get a prompt and can click Get Resume Help From a Real Person. Fill out a short questionnaire about what type of help you want and upload your resume (it's OK if you haven't built one). This service usually costs $89 unless you've applied to at least 10 jobs using your Indeed resume. According to Indeed, if you haven't received an interview request within 60 days of receiving your new resume, you can request a one-time rewrite. 

For $19, you can take a quiz and get feedback from a professional to get you started. You can also use Indeed's automated instant report system for free. The system returns quick tips to improve your resume. 

Indeed's privacy policy says that it does collect and share user data with third-party providers to connect job seekers with employers and improve services. According to Indeed's privacy policy, you can request an account or personal data deletion and request that your data not be shared while your account is active. CNET reached out to Indeed for more information and we'll update when we hear back.

• Guides resume creation
• Free resume downloads
• Paid tier offers interview advice and cover letter builder
• Have to pay for additional downloads

Most affordable paid resume builder

Cv engineer.

CV Engineer is an easy-to-use smartphone app that creates a professional-looking resume. With 16 templates to choose from, you can tap to enter information into all of the usual sections and add custom ones. When you tap on each section, you can tap through the bottom toolbar to get advice on what type of information to add, as well as view resume examples to show you how the section could look. 

CV Engineer lets you send or download your first completed resume for free, but upgrading to CV Engineer Pro for a one-time payment of $6 gives you access to unlimited downloads. A Scan My CV feature is also included, which can detect common mistakes and suggest improvements, such as places where you can add more information. The Pro version also offers interview advice and a cover letter builder. 

You can download CV Engineer from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store . CV Engineer does collect personal information and can share it with Google Play Services and Firebase Analytics, according to its privacy policy. The app is free to download and ad-free.

• Strong privacy policy
• Example resumes available
• Only one layout available
• Little guidance during creation

Best free iOS resume builder

Resume star 2: pro cv designer.

Resume Star 2 isn't the most visually stunning resume design app for iOS, but it gets the job done. To use, tap each section of the resume, fill in your information and it will fill in a traditional template (you only get one layout). The app offers some example resumes you can start with and edit as needed, including job-specific ones for a: cashier, dental hygienist, receptionist, waitress, mechanic and senior manager.

You can add or delete any sections you like without needing to hit save every time you add information, and you can see your resume update as you go. The autosave feature makes it easy to toggle quickly between the different sections as well. At the end, you'll have a basic resume ready to go. The app's interface doesn't offer as much guidance about how to write your resume or what types of information to include. If you need extra help, tap the information icon in the bottom left and choose the Resume Writing Guide. This will open up a crash course on resume writing in your mobile browser. It also includes a job search feature. 

The app collects payment via donations after you use the service -- you don’t have to pay if you don’t want to. The app connects to iCloud, and you can export your resume as a PDF to any location on your device(s). If you are happy with the service, you can choose the $6 "helped a bit" tier, a standard donation of $10, or the "really helped me" tier for $25. 

Resume Star 2 has a 4.8 out of 5 rating, and more than 1,800 ratings in the App Store . The first version, Resume Star: Pro CV Maker, which is the same except for the iCloud connection, had a 4.9-star rating and more than 16,000 reviews. The site does not collect personally identifiable information without user consent, which seems to make it one of the more secure options available.

• 42 templates to choose from
• Easily customizable
• Little to no guidance during creation

Best free Android resume writing service

Intelligentcv resume builder app.

Intelligent CV's Resume Builder App offers 42 resume templates and allows you to change font colors. Each resume section appears on a list, and you can move through sections in whichever order you choose, save and go on to another. You also have the option to add, delete or rearrange sections such as education, experience and skills. There’s a Help icon in each section for a little bit of extra guidance. Once you're finished, you can download your document for free as a PDF, which you can then save on your device or send via email or text. 

On the downside, the app is ad-supported and ads for other resume creators do pop up, which can get confusing. The app also offers less guidance than some of the other services, which means it's not a great option if you're new to resumes.

Resume Builder App has one of the strongest privacy policies of the bunch. The app does not collect personally identifiable information , though third-party services (including Google Play services and analytics firms) may collect information. The app has 4.6 out of 5 stars and more than 424,000 Google Play Store ratings and is free to download.

• Easy-to-use interface
• Inclusive premium package

Best range of professional tools

VisualCV has an easy-to-use interface that lets you build your resume in the way that works best for you. After signing up, you can upload an existing resume, begin with a prewritten sample or start entirely from scratch. You can use the basic editor to input information in a list form, the visual editor to edit directly on the resume and preview mode to see changes made on either version in real time. Revision history is also available. 

The free basic edition allows you to select from over a dozen professional templates to create, edit and download one resume as a PDF. You can also create one free cover letter and apply to jobs through its job search feature.

To download or share additional resumes, you’ll need to buy VisualCV Pro for $15 a month quarterly or $24 a month monthly. Upgrading unlocks more templates, unlimited creations, downloading, career tracking and the ability to build a personal resume website. The website URL goes through VisualCV but can be shared online. 

In terms of privacy, VisualCV's policy says that it does not sell, trade, rent or license personal information to third parties. As of publication, VisualCV has 4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot but only 131 reviews.

Best professional resume writing services of 2024

Depending on where you’re at in the job application process, you might need more guidance than a template. These professional writing services will pair you with experienced writers and coaches to help you craft and perfect resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters and more. 

As these services include more personalized coaching and features, they tend to be more expensive. We’ve collected a range of options depending on your budget and needs. Best professional resume writing services of 2024.

• Resume writing and career coaching
• Builds your resume from the ground up
• Quick turnaround
• More expensive options

A premium option for a tailored resume

Resumespice.

Suppose you're totally lost and are willing to invest several hundred dollars into your job search. In that case, ResumeSpice is a resume writing and career coach service created by recruiters that connects you with a "resume expert" to build your CV from scratch. 

Once you choose, you'll fill out a short questionnaire and schedule a phone consultation with a resume expert to discuss your experience, job search and career goals. The expert will take that information and turn around a personalized resume draft within two business days. You can review the draft and request any changes, and you'll get the final version in PDF and Word formats. 

An entry-level resume costs $479, a professional resume costs $589 and an executive resume costs $699. In addition to these packages, you can also add a cover letter, LinkedIn profile, interview coaching or other services to help you be more competitive in the job market.

• 60 day interview guarantee
• Industry-specific advice
• Variety of packages
• Limited non-resume add-ons

A 60-day interview guarantee

Resumewriters.com.

ResumeWriters.com offers a guarantee: If you don't get a job interview with a potential employer within two months of getting your new resume, they'll rewrite it for free. The service claims that in the 20 years and tens of thousands of resumes completed under this guarantee, it averages fewer than five requests for rewrites per year. 

To use the resume writing service, submit your current resume or career information on the site, and an experienced resume writer will contact you to assess your materials and plan out what you need. You'll get a first draft back within 72 hours and can work with the writer on revisions until you're satisfied with the result. 

ResumeWriters offers student, professional, executive and career-change resume services, as well as CV services for those conducting their job search in fields specific to the military, IT and research. The resume services cost $170 for students and $200 for the professional level, with a cover letter, one-on-one consultation and LinkedIn profile. The career change level ($250) is a comprehensive package that includes everything plus a post-interview follow-up letter, and the highest tier is the executive package that guarantees applicants its most experienced writers for $300.

• ATS screening
• Unlimited revisions
• Longer turnaround time (3-7 business days)

A fast pass through HR screening software

Zipjob’s professional resume writers optimize your resume to get through the applicant tracking system (ATS) software used by the majority of employers to automatically scan and sort resumes. An expert writes your resume and scans it through the ATS to ensure it will make it through to the hiring manager's desk. 

To use the service, upload your resume or fill out a form to start from scratch. You'll be matched with a professional resume writer who will work with you to improve it and will then scan the final product to make sure it passes through the screening algorithms. Depending on which package you choose, your resume will be ready in three to seven days. 

You can choose from three packages: Launch (resume writing and unlimited revisions for $139), Fast Track (adds a cover letter and a 60-day interview guarantee for $189) or Premium (adds a top resume writer, LinkedIn profile optimization, future resume updates and expedited delivery for $299).

• Career coaching
• Industry-specific feedback
• Ability to customize packages
• Longer turnaround time (3-5 business days)

An executive resume solution

Find my profession.

Find My Profession offers professional resume writing services as well as career coaching. Every resume gets reviewed by two different consultants. 

You'll find packages that include entry-level, professional, C-level and executive resume writer services, as well as federal. In each, you can choose a base, premium or VIP package depending on your needs. For example, the professional resume package starts at $595 for a resume compatible with automated systems. You can also add help with a cover letter for an additional $119 or a LinkedIn profile for $399. 

You'll get the first draft of your resume within three to five business days after you consult with a writer. Or, upgrade to a priority service for another $149 to get it within 48 hours.

How we tested resume sites and services

When we evaluated the different resume templates and builders, we looked at how each site or app allowed you to create new resumes, browse templates or upload and edit existing resumes. We also looked at how easy or hard it would be to customize different templates and sections, how much guidance was available, how user-friendly it was to navigate, plus reading and understanding each company’s privacy policies.

Some of our picks are free, some enlist the help of professional writers and some require a subscription or one-time payment. When it comes to premium or paid services, we evaluated how inclusive its packages were compared to basic or free versions. In many cases for the professional writing services, these paid tiers included more guidance and additional job search support like a cover letter and LinkedIn editing, suggested jobs to apply to and interview coaching.

Factors to consider when choosing a resume writing service

This was a key factor when compiling this list. Whether you’re looking for a free service to boost your current resume or interested in professional editing services, there’s something for everyone’s price range.

Ease of use

When looking at each website, we looked at how easy it was to navigate, browse templates and add, edit or remove different sections. We also considered whether you can download and share your resume for free and in what format.

Customization options

Customization options were essential, as everyone’s resume is going to look different. Having easy user control over your resume helps you create a resume that meets your industry’s standards and showcases your professional experiences.

Privacy policies

Privacy policies were the final important factor to consider, as many of these are websites and apps that can collect and store your personal information. All of the services and websites included on this list have decent privacy settings, and we noted which ones have exceptionally clear use cases and account deletion policies.

Resume writing FAQs

What is a resume builder.

A resume builder is a company that has a website or app that helps you create and customize your resume. You can use pre-existing templates or create your own from scratch.

What is a resume writing service?

A resume writing service is a company that pairs you with a coach or writer to work with you to create, perfect and tailor your resume, cover letters and other job application materials. These tend to be more inclusive packages and therefore more expensive than simple resume template websites.

What is the best resume format to use?

The best format for your resume is going to depend on the job you are applying to, along with your work experience. Resume templates can help you format and include all the necessary information like your education, work experience, skills and contact information.

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The Best Resume Writing Services Of 2024, Chosen By Our Editors

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A good resume can make a lasting impression on a potential employer, and the best resume writing services can help you get your foot in the door that much faster. Sure, you can tackle the task yourself, but between navigating computerized application tracking systems and adapting to their ever-changing standards, building a modern resume that stands out in the crowd is no easy feat. That’s why we researched dozens of resume writing services to help you land the role you deserve. Our overall favorite is TopResume , which lets you choose from four different packages, but we included seven more options below.

The best resume writing services can help you make a lasting impression on employers.

When selecting our favorite resume services, we considered how easy each was to use, customization options available and turnaround times. Whether you’re looking for a little polish or have no idea where to start, there’s a service on this list for you. After all, why wouldn’t you hire a professional to handle one of the most important documents standing between you and your dream job: a finely-tuned resume? Below, the best resume writing services that cover everything from editing to one-on-one career counseling. And once you get the job, make sure you’re set up for WFH success with our favorite office chairs , standing desks and business laptops .

• Best Overall Resume Writing Service: TopResume
• Best Resume Writing Service With Custom Bundles: Resumeble
• Best Resume Writing Service With Career Consulting: TopStack Resume
• Best Resume Writing Service For Executives: ZipJob
• Best Resume Writing Service Built By Recruiters: ResumeSpice
• Best Quick-Turnaround Resume Writing Service: Craft Resumes
• Best Value Resume Writing Service: ResumeCompanion
• Best Free Resume Building Service: Resume.com

Best Overall Resume Writing Service

A popular service for professionals.

Tiers: Starter, Premium, Ultimate and Executive Elite | Turnaround time: 4 to 7 days

Pros: 

• Free resume review
• Customizes your resume by writers certified in 65+ industries 
• 60-day guarantee; double the job interviews or they’ll rewrite it for free

Cons: 

• Limited to two revisions 

TopResume is a popular option for mid- to high-level professionals seeking resume advice. You can choose from four different packages (Starter, Premium, Ultimate and Elite) that range in price from $149 to $699 and offer a variety of services. No matter which package you choose, you’re guaranteed a professionally written resume from an expert in your chosen industry. If you already have a resume, you can also opt to get a free review on it, and receive feedback on its layout, language and how effectively it communicates your skills.

Best Resume Writing Service With Custom Bundles

A great combo service for your resume and cover letter.

Tiers: Standard, Professional and Premium | Turnaround time: 4 days

• Standard package includes resume and cover letter
• Customizable based on your industry
• 60-day guarantee; receive an interview or rewrite for free
• No refunds on Standard and Professional packages (however, Premium packages include a Money Back Guarantee)

Resumeble offers three package tiers: Standard, Professional and Premium. If you’re just starting your career, the Standard package offers bang for your buck, since it includes a resume and cover letter (most services require you to at least upgrade to the mid-level package for both). Next up, the Professional package is geared toward mid-level employees looking to promote or pivot and includes a LinkedIn profile refresh; and the Premium package, designed for seasoned executives, offers all that plus a back-up resume, cold emails to recruiters and more. While no refunds are offered on Standard and Professional packages, the Premium package comes with a Money Back Guarantee if clients don’t receive at least one job offer within 180 days.

Best Resume Writing Service With Career Consulting

A global platform that focuses on the full professional picture, topstack resume.

Tiers: Basic, Standard, Professional and Premium | Turnaround time: 1 to 2 weeks

Pros:  

• Can view final resume before paying 
• Provides advanced career consultations and interview prep
• Donates 5% of profits to the Fisher House Foundation
• 60-day guarantee limited to Professional and Premium packages
• Longer turnaround time; takes 1 to 2 weeks

TopStack offers four different packages that range from $139 for your basic professional resume to $649 for a more robust selection of services (including career consulting plus help with your resume,​ cover letter and LinkedIn profile). It also focuses on ensuring your resume is ATS-optimized, a must in the modern hiring world.

Best Resume Writing Service For Executives

A service built with leaders in mind.

Tiers: Launch, Fast Track, Premium, Executive | Turnaround time: 3 to 7 business days

• Comprehensive; includes resume, cover letter, thank-you note and LinkedIn profile
• Resumes are ATS-optimized
• 60-day interview guarantee
• On the pricier side

ZipJob is a great choice for professionals at all levels, but its comprehensive executive package makes it especially suited for those at the top of their game. Offerings include an executive-level resume and cover letter, LinkedIn profile optimization and a customizable thank-you letter. To ensure everything is up to standard, you also get a phone consultation with your writer and multiple revisions for all of your documents. And just like ZipJob’s other packages, the executive bundle checks that your resume is ATS-ready (Applicant Tracking Systems), so you can pass early screenings with flying colors.

Best Resume Writing Service Built By Recruiters

A highly rated platform developed by hr and hiring managers, resumespice.

Tiers: Entry Level, Professional and Executive | Turnaround time: 2 days

• Wide range of services offered including for resume, cover letter, Linkedin profile, interview prep and career coaching 
• Quick 2-day turnaround
• 60-day guarantee; rewrite if you don’t get an interview 

Cons:  

• Expensive; $479 for an entry-level resume

ResumeSpice is more expensive than other services. That said, it was developed by recruiters, aka people who’ve truly homed in on what prospective employers are seeking. It’s also one of the highest-rated services on Trustpilot . The company offers a quick two-day turnaround, pre-built packages depending on your experience and the option to tack on its highly rated career-building services. ResumeSpice also has free resume resources and a selection of sample templates, if you’re more interested in the DIY approach.

Best Quick-Turnaround Resume Writing Service

A platform that gets you the fastest first draft, craft resumes.

Tiers: Resume Writing, Basic, Optimal, All-In-One | Turnaround time: 1 day

• 24-hour turnaround time for first draft 
• Writers are PARWCC- or NRWA-certified
• International service; some users experience grammar issues due to language barrier

If you’re in a time crunch, this writing and editing service has a 24-hour turnaround for the first draft of your resume. Craft Resumes features an easy-to-navigate website and delivers resumes tailored to your experiences and desired career path. Like a few other services, Craft Resumes offers a series of à la carte options, such as LinkedIn profile writing, thank-you letters and follow-up letters.

Best Value Resume Writing Service

A subscription-based diy resume builder, resumecompanion.

Tiers: Monthly or 2-week access | Turnaround time: Self-paced

• Affordable; subscription costs $8 a month or 14-day access for $3
• Choose from dozens of professional resume templates
• Offers cover letter, job search and tracking tools
• Self-directed; no hands-on help from writers

This resume builder is a great budget option for a self-starter who wants to learn the ropes and take things into their own hands. You can select from a variety of templates, narrow down the type of job you’re seeking and follow a step-by-step process to perfect your own resume. However, because it’s subscription-based, you’ll have to renew the service if you want to edit your materials in the future.

Best Free Resume Building Service

A robust resume and cover letter resource—at no cost to you.

Tiers: Free | Turnaround time: Self-paced

• Free with dozens of templates to choose from
• Integrated with Indeed; easy to apply to jobs
• Some users say it’s difficult to cancel subscription

If your budget is tight and you don’t mind going the DIY route for your resume, Resume.com is a great resource. It has an intuitive user interface and offers over 20 different resume and cover letter templates to choose from. There’s also an open career advice portal where you can read about career development, interview tips and more.

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The best gmat prep courses to ace your exams, why trust forbes vetted.

The Forbes Vetted team has published a large library of tech guides , including reviews on a variety of online tools and home office essentials like the best document scanners and all-in-one printers .

• Consumer tech editor Rebecca Isaacs and executive editor Dave Johnson oversee this guide and its iterations; they have over a decade of experience in the industry and both enjoy testing and reviewing the latest in tech.
• Assistant editor Jordan Thomas has over four years of experience covering deals and consumer shopping. For this guide, she scoured the web for the most reputable resume writing services and compared each option to find the best.
• We continue to monitor the best resume services and routinely update this guide to provide the most current information about pricing and offerings. It was last updated in May 2024 by tech updates writer Alexandra Garrett to expand our buyer’s guide.

How We Chose The Best Resume Writing Services

To compile this list, we sought out well-known resume writing services with overwhelmingly positive customer reviews and compared key offerings.

• We looked for reputable resume writing services with proven results; each service had to meet our standards in terms of overall value, turnaround time, professionalism and satisfaction guarantees.
• We evaluated each service side-by-side to determine which performs better at writing a robust resume in an accurate, timely manner.
• Everyone has unique needs when it comes to searching for a job, so we made sure to recommend options that span different career goals and budgets, whether that includes getting career consultation or polishing up an existing resume.

What To Look For When Choosing The Best Resume Writing Service

Resume writing services come in a wide range of prices, and the best options for you will largely depend on your needs and budget. Affordable services like ResumeCompanion offer a step-by-step process for building your own resume for $8 a month, while other services provide a more hands-on approach for around $150. Packages typically go up to $250-$300 when you add Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)-optimization, cover letter writing, interview prep and career coaching.

Turnaround Time

If your job application has a set deadline, take a look at the service’s turnaround time before committing. Most services take anywhere from two days to two weeks to provide a finalized resume. Some promise a draft in 24 hours, like Craft Resumes .

Ease Of Use

When deciding on a resume writing service, take a look at how easy the website is to navigate. Is it difficult to browse different templates, download your files or customize your resume? The job application process is often stressful, so a resume writing service should alleviate—not contribute to—some of that stress.

Customization Options

A resume needs to accurately reflect your unique qualifications, skills and industry standards. For this reason, consider which customization options the service provides. Many of our recommendations use writers, recruiters or HR professionals to tailor your application documents to your unique needs.

Writer Qualifications

With AI solutions like ChatGPT readily available, you’ll want to check whether or not your resume writer is qualified to provide the help you need. To do this, take a look at the service’s writer qualifications. Some services use writers certified by the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC) or National Resume Writers Association (NRWA), while others are run by recruiters or HR professionals.

Privacy Policies

Because some websites and apps collect your personal information, it’s important to check the privacy policies before signing up. Look for whether the site stores or shares that information with third parties, and whether you can adjust your privacy settings to opt out of this setting.

Is It Worth Paying For A Resume Writing Service?

Professionally-written resumes through a reputable service can help you stand out from the competition. They’re often designed to highlight your best qualities, and are keyword-optimized for most applicant tracking systems. If you’re struggling with employment gaps or career changes, a resume writing service can help give you a leg up. And some services will also provide reviews for custom cover letters, Linkedin profiles, interview prep and career coaching.

What’s The Best Resume Writing Company?

The best resume writing company is affordable, offers high-quality review and writing services and is easy to use. Our top pick overall— TopResume —provides the professionalism and quality most mid- to high-level job seekers need, from its free resume review to its customizable options.

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Best Resume Writing Apps 2022

We find the best resume writing apps to get you applying for jobs fast.

There’s one app that sits at the top of our listings of the best resume writing apps, and that’s LiveCareer. As a web app, there are few compatibility concerns, and it’s full of useful features. There’s more to it than resume creation too - the app is well connected, and is capable of publishing your resume directly to job sites and social media. It’s hard to beat.

The web app is a huge trend in software at the moment, and resume writers have capitalised on it. Every single one of the best resume writing software packages we tested was a web app, with downloadable applications now looking rather out of date in comparison. It helps that resume writing software has a defined end, and therefore can limit the amount of tools and options it throws at the user rather than a general-purpose app such as a word processor or desktop publishing program. In this way, having the application run entirely in the browser makes a lot of sense, as it speeds up the process, and means you’ll be downloading completed files and applying for employment in no time. 

If you need more advice we have guides to the best online grammar checkers , and the best typing software to help you get faster.

1. LiveCareer: Best resume writing app overall

Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

LiveCareer: My Perfect Resume

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

More than just a resume-building site, LiveCareer is a fully featured web app that combines templates, connectivity with other sites, and cover letter creation to form one of the very best pieces of resume software available today.

The whole process of creating your resume is automated using a wizard and a limited number of templates. Answer its questions, inputting information where necessary, and you’ll receive tips as you work, pointing the way to a better resume.

If you’ve already got a resume, you can import it into LiveCareer and use the information already on it to speed along the creation of a new one. This is an uncommon feature among resume creation services, and certainly makes building a new, better, resume much faster. Also helping to speed things up are the helpful pre-written phrases the app can suggest if you’re stumped by how to describe some aspect of your career.

The interface is clean, and intuitive to use, and while we’ve seen larger numbers of templates elsewhere, the whole thing comes together to make LiveCareer the best we’ve found for making a striking resume.

2. Resume Genius: Best value resume app

Resume Genius

If you subscribe, you can download your resume in more useful formats, such as a Word document or PDF, or send it by fax from the site. You can also store unlimited resumes on the site, so you can tailor them for specific jobs, and you can get help to create a cover letter to accompany your resume. There’s even job search functionality, and a resume critique from an experienced career consultant.

A web app with a minimalist aesthetic, you pick a template, answer questions on your education and experience, and it generates your resume. It’s a very quick process, although it’s wise to get your thoughts in order before you begin, lining up in your mind the answers to questions about exactly when you left your last few jobs, and exactly what kind of college degree you have.

The finished result can be downloaded as a text file, but you’ll need to register with the site to do so. If you choose to register, and pay the subscription, however, a few more options open up, though you’ll need to pay for them. The $2.95 14-day trial is the best value of many we’ve seen, but it’s very difficult to get off the payment plan page and on to the dashboard page where the resume you’ve created is stored.

3. CakeResume: Best for social connectivity

A web app with a free version and an intuitive drag and drop interface, CakeResume makes the creation of your resume a straightforward process, and even hosts its own LinkedIn-like network for employers seeking new talent.

It’s a good-looking app that’s easy to navigate, and can link to your social media. If you already have a resume, you can upload it to the site and it will use it to populate the fields of your profile. When the profile is completed to the site’s liking, you can turn this into a new resume, editing the information as you go. Of course, you can always create a brand new resume from scratch, and there is a good selection of templates to choose from to get you started.

There’s a choice of two web apps to use, and we’d recommend the newer one, even though it’s still in beta. It removes a lot of the limitations placed by the original editing app. There’s no help with cover letters though, and it lacks the pre-written phrases that are a highlight of other services. There’s support in the form of a blog, however.

A further useful feature is the creation of a link, which you can use to give people access to your online resume - it’s really handy for pasting into an email, but recruiters may still prefer an attachment.

4. Visual CV: Best for templates

Another web app, but one that does things in a slightly different way. It has some bold, unusual template choices too, making it a good option for someone who wants to stand out from the crowd.

Visual CV sets your resume up as a kind of web page, with a unique link you can share with potential employers. You’ll need to subscribe to unlock this ability, but if you’re applying for jobs with the kind of employer who prefers to look at a screen rather then drown in paper, it might be worth it.

You can download your resume as a PDF too, and as long as you use one of the (rather dull, but still professional-looking) free templates, you’ll not be charged for doing so. If you want a little more flair, however, it’s well worth registering for the Pro service, as this also unlocks the ability to download your resume as a Word document, so you can continue editing it on your computer.

There are twice as many templates as LiveCareer’s offering, but it loses ground in terms of the options and control over layout that it offers. Overall, though, this is a strong entrant in the resume app market.

5. Pongo: Best for online help

Not one of the most fully featured resume builders we’ve seen, but one that we can still recommend thanks to the amount of support it offers while you compose your resume.

There’s a lot happening on the Pongo website, and it can be easy to feel lost, but in among all the videos offering advice on everything from cover letters to interview techniques, and success stories from those who got hired using the site, there’s a resume builder you can use for free. Subscribe, however, and the options keep growing. There are templates (although not as many as we’d like to see), sample phrases, matching cover letters and more, though there aren’t as many ways to customize your resume away from the template as we’ve seen elsewhere.

Download options include text, Word and PDF, while the ability to turn your resume into a website is a nice addition. For anyone new to the jobs market, or perhaps returning after a long time away, this is an excellent choice to create your resume.

How much do resume writing apps cost?

Resume writing programs have largely segued into web apps rather than downloadable ones, with subscription charges that range anywhere from a $3 one-off charge for a few days’ access up to about $20 a month. Pay attention when you subscribe, though, because most services offer several different plans – and some plans limit the features or number of resumes you can create. Make sure to find a selection that works for your job search. Also, several of the programs we tested come with a free trial, but frequently the company won’t remove their watermark from free templates. It’s best to pay a little extra and remove the companies’ branding. Being able to download your resume as a Word document is also important, as unlike a PDF you can continue to edit this in Word or one of its compatible free competitors as your skills and experience grow.

How we tested resume apps

We read dozens of articles and researched the current industry standard in resume writing software before we selected which programs to test. Then we downloaded or subscribed to the ones we selected. Most of the current software is web-based, but there are few downloadable programs that have enough features and support to be worth mentioning.

In each program we created a resume and then tested the available features. We evaluated how intuitive the input options and wizard (the tool that you use to input your data) were in each program. We also looked for programs that offer additional support beyond simple resume creation. Resume software that connect with popular job search engines or give tips about acing your interview ranked higher in our comparison.

We looked for import and export options that allow you to easily transfer your completed work to new systems and give you flexibility to use the information from older resumes to create new ones. We also graded the software on customization tools, like margin spacing and font choices, as well as text size and watermarks to make sure you can create a resume that’ll stand out.  We learned there’s often a balance between having plenty of options and having so many that they become overwhelming, so we looked for a number of templates and features that was just right.

Are resume apps actually worth it?

In a word, yes. Based on our experience with the sites and services we tested, it's helpful to have the task of creating a resume broken up into more manageable chunks. Many of the programs that we used have wizards that provide helpful tips or guidance on each section. It's also convenient to be able to save personal information, like your address and home phone number, to be used over and over again as you customize resumes for different job applications. Overall, because resume writing is such a common experience, we think its hard to go wrong with these programs. They are also inexpensive enough that it’s worth a try.

Resume and job hunting trends for 2021

Economists are predicting an uneven recovery from the spike in unemployment caused by the pandemic, and the US rate might stay above 6% until the end of the year.

Keep It Short, but Not Too Short: A recent study by ResumeGo shows that recruiters are twice as likely to prefer a two-page resume than a single-page resume. The common wisdom used to be that anything beyond a single page is a strike against you, but if you have the work experience and qualifications, don’t skimp on including them. Be as thorough as possible.

Start Strong: The top third of your resume is the most important real estate. Use it to make an impression and to give the hiring manager the most important information. Include contact information, your LinkedIn account info, your most recent job and a summary statement. The summary isn’t an objective – instead, it should be a statement that catches the recruiter’s eyes. In the summary, talk about your successes and what you can add to the company you’re applying at.

Optimize Your Resume: Many companies use applicant tracking systems to monitor and update you on your application’s progress. Some of these systems can be overzealous about filtering resumes, so you may need to include some keywords used in the job posting. In some cases, you can benefit from using the particular jargon preferred by the company you’re applying at.

Customize & Cut: Make sure each resume is tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. One-size-fits-all resumes don’t really work any more. Trim your resume to the last 10 to 15 years of your job history – anything further back could date you or may be irrelevant. If you’re applying for a job as a software developer, the company hiring you isn’t interested in your high school dishwashing job.

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Ian has been a journalist for 20 years. He's written for magazines and websites on subjects such as video games, technology, PC hardware, popular (and unpopular) science, gardening and astronomy. In his spare time he has a pet tortoise and grows his own vegetables. He also has a passion for cameras and photography, and has written for TTR on these subjects.

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Best Resume Books on Amazon 2024

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Best Resume Books on Amazon

The best resume books on Amazon are ones that are continuously updated, which provide relevant information, and which are easily accessible and understood.

A resume book is meant to provide candidates with a reference on how to outline their resume to increase their chances at being interviewed.

We’ve reviewed four resume books on Amazon in a search for the ones that are not only relevant, but easily digestible and understood.

The below list of the best resume books on Amazon have been fully vetted and are ones that we believe offer compelling information related to a candidate’s job search.

Ultimately, the purpose of a resume is to help a candidate land an interview.

A resume is simply a means to land an interview and is not what determines whether or not a candidate will receive a job offer.

Understanding that difference, when we reviewed the below books, we looked for ones that will help candidates to enhance their resume and make them more attractive candidates.

Please note, The Corporate Connoisseur is a member of Amazon Affiliate’s network.

This means that we earn a small commission on any Amazon purchases you make via our links.

This costs nothing to you but is a valuable source of revenue for our team.

We thank you for your understanding and for helping keep The Corporate Connoisseur independent and free of influence.

The Google Resume: How to Prepare for a Career and Land a Job at Apple, Microsoft, Google, or Any Top Tech Company

The Google Resume was written by Gayle McDowell, who worked at Google for over three years.

While at Google, Gayle was on the hiring committee and interviewed over 120 candidates.

Before coming to Google, Gayle interned with both Apple and Microsoft and received offers from ten other tech firms.

In her book, Gayle provides helpful tips to students on which career paths to consider.

In addition, she discusses what students should be studying and preparing for while in school to provide them with a competitive edge once they graduate.

For working professionals, Gayle discusses the hiring process and what it takes to stand out from the competition.

In this book, Gayle goes beyond just the resume.

She helps candidates to focus on what recruiter’s care about and what matters to them.

She also discusses how to acquire certain skills that will help a job seekers’ goals in landing a coveted position with a tech firm.

Federal Resume Guidebook: Federal Resume Writing

The Federal Resume Guidebook , written by Kathryn Troutman, focuses resume writing on the federal level.

We’ve previously discussed federal resumes and the nuances required when submitting your application to a federal position.

However, Kathryn does an amazing job of providing depth and clarity into thee federal hiring process.

In this book, Kathryn guides candidates through the steps needed to locate critical keywords within the job posting and how to integrate them into your own resume.

She provides a plethora of resume samples, which you can then adapt as your own.

If you’re looking to get your foot in on the federal level, then this book is a must read.

How to Write the Perfect Resume: Stand Out, Land Interviews, and Get the Job You Want

Dan Clay, in his book, How to Write the Perfect Resume discusses not how to make a great resume, but an outstanding one.

With increased competition for open jobs, Dan argues we should ditch our old methodologies when it comes to writing our resume.

Rather, Dan opts for resumes tell a powerful, compelling story that will make your resume irresistible to recruiters.

In addition to resume advice, Dan offers advice on tricky, precarious situations that many job seekers find themselves in.

This includes questions regarding extended time off, how to make your accomplishments stand out, and ways to avoid common resume mistakes which won’t pass the muster of the applicant tracking system.

Ladders 2019 Resume Guide: Best Practices & Advice from the Ladders in $100K – $500K Jobs

The Ladders is a well-known site which provides similar information as The Corporate Connoisseur.

They are one of the largest career advice sites and have been providing invaluable information to their users.

In their book, Ladders 2019 Resume Guide , by Marc Cendella, they provide a step-by-step system on how to write a great resume.

Why we like this book so much is because it is no frills advice.

Marc doesn’t look to add extraneous, unnecessary information.

Rather, in a quick 90-minute read, you will be able to understand what is needed to write a great resume that will help you land an interview.

In addition, Marc looks to dispense with reports and rumors surrounding the causes of resume anxiety.

By providing simple, practical advice on all things resume, Marc is able to walk any candidate through their own, providing them with confidence and pride moving forward.

The Resume Writing Guide: Step-by-Step Workbook for Writing a Winning Resume

We love this book.

Written by Lisa McGrimmon, The Resume Writing Guide provides step-by-step advice on how to write a great resume.

But it also provides information for job seekers who may not have perfect resumes.

This can include people who are changing careers, people who are returning to work after extended leaves, recent graduates, older workers, and people who work in extremely competitive industries.

By providing information for the often-overlooked job seekers, Lisa is able to reach nearly all job seekers who need just a bit more help in composing their resumes.

She will also guide you on being an expert on your own career, including on how to decide which information to include on your resume and how to write content that is visually and verbally compelling and enticing.

As stated above, the best resume books on Amazon are ones that can provide continual knowledge and information to nearly any job seeker.

Although the book written by Kathryn Troutman focuses only on federal resumes, we have tried to review and recommend books which cover a large swath of users and candidates.

As a note, these books should be used in conjunction with other pieces of information you receive.

That information can come from this site, or from other sites which write on the same or similar topics.

As a job seeker, it is best to gather a multitude of information from differing sources to best assist you in your job search.

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Your Guide To A Stand Out Modern Resume: Make Your Resume The One That Stops the 6-Second Scroll And Puts You At The Top Of The "Must Interview" List Paperback – April 12, 2021

You aren't boring... why is your resume it’s time to make your resume reflect how awesome you are in real life. if your resume suffers from:.

• An outdated format that you’ve used since high school (a LOT has changed!)
• Generic one-size-fits-all-isms (to avoid redoing it for each job)
• Buzzword and cliche overload (this isn’t making you sound smarter - trust me)
• Job description cuts and pastes (just…. don’t)
• Print length 73 pages
• Language English
• Publication date April 12, 2021
• Dimensions 6 x 0.17 x 9 inches
• ISBN-13 979-8733588414
• See all details

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Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B092C78CZY
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (April 12, 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 73 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8733588414
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.6 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.17 x 9 inches
• #230 in Job Resumes (Books)
• #385 in Job Interviewing (Books)

About the author

Rebecca morgan.

Dr. Rebecca P. Morgan is an award-winning former Disney leader, the founder of Choose Awesome Company, and the creator of The Awesome Leader League.

She has spent the past two decades studying leadership, business, and developing leaders at all levels at Disney University, and trained people and organizations through the Disney Institute.

Her practical approach based on deep experience and respected research is that the connection between people and profits can transform leaders and their teams to be more creative, resilient, productive, profitable—and happier.

Rebecca was recognized with a Disney Lifetime Achievement award for leadership in employee excellence, customer satisfaction, and business results.

Rebecca co-hosts Leadership Life Stories Podcast and is a best-selling author.

She's also an expert on how to keep a sourdough starter alive. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Todd, their retired ex-racing greyhound, Landon, and their sourdough starter named The Bebe.

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Best Resume Writing Services

Let’s Eat, Grandma is our pick for the best overall resume writing service

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Looking for a job can be stressful, and finding ways to stand out from other job-seekers is often difficult. Writing a quality resume is challenging, time-consuming, and requires a lot of effort. Instead of stressing out, one option is to have a professional do it for you.

To choose the best resume writing services, we evaluated nearly a dozen companies based on their pricing, customer service, certifications, and guarantees, in addition to the quality, design, and formatting of their work on a test resume. Here are our top picks.

Best Resume Writing Services of 2024

• Best Overall: Let’s Eat, Grandma
• Runner-Up: Monster.com
• Best Price: The Muse
• Best Customer Service: TopResume
• Best Guarantees: ZipJob
• Best Advanced Writers: iHire
• Our Top Picks

Let’s Eat, Grandma

• Monster.com
• See More (3)

Final Verdict

• Compare Services

Methodology

Best overall : let’s eat , grandma.

• Price: $439 and up
• Cover Letter: With $549 plan
• LinkedIn Rewrite: With $689 plan

Special Offer Take $75 off a Starter, Accelerated, or Premium Package from Let's Eat, Grandma using the code BALANCE75 at checkout.

We chose LEG as our best overall due to the high-quality resume the company produced when we tested the service. Several sections of our test resume were among the best that we received from all providers tested. Overall, LEG produced a top-quality document in a timely fashion.

Easy sign-up process

Created a great resume

Includes a cover letter

Slightly longer turnaround time

Resume summary was lengthy

Resume layout was a bit dense on one page

Let’s Eat, Grandma, (LEG) was founded by brothers Chris and Matt Villanueva in 2014. The Villanuevas realized that job searching could be one of the most stressful times of a person’s life and sought to help candidates in their search. The company provides career advice as well as resume-writing services for active job-seekers.

One of the nice things about LEG’s resume writing service is that it includes a cover letter for its Accelerated Package which runs for $549 and includes everything in the Starter Package plus a cover letter, LinkedIn profile recommendations, a cold email, and a thank-you note guide. And, if you want the Premium Package, it includes all features of lower packages, plus a second design for your resume and a LinkedIn rewrite, all for $689. They also offer a new Executive Concierge Service tailored for high level careers for $1,899.

Although the Starter Package, which costs $439, was one of the higher-priced services we reviewed, we felt the option of having a phone conversation included was beneficial.

Runner-Up : Monster.com

• Price: $149 and up
• Cover Letter: With $349 plan
• LinkedIn Rewrite: With $349 plan

Monster.com was a close second to Let’s Eat, Grandma because it produced a test resume that had many outstanding benefits. This included great skills and experience sections and lots of industry-related keywords that would get picked up by an applicant tracking system (ATS).

Great communication with writer

Relatively inexpensive at $149

Brief, easy-to-read paragraphs

One-page resume was a bit cramped

Resume had a few typos

Training and Education sections had some problems

Monster.com is a fairly typical job site, where job seekers apply for jobs and employers post jobs. It was founded by Jeff Taylor in 1994. In 2016, Monster was bought by Randstad Holding, a Netherlands-based human resources (HR) consulting giant.

In addition to its vast database of current job opportunities, Monster offers a resume-writing service with three plans. Under the Basic Plan, you’ll receive a customized resume for $149. If you want a cover letter written for you, the Deluxe plan provides one in addition to a personalized resume for $197. The third plan, Premier, includes a resume, cover letter, and a LinkedIn profile makeover for $349. And, if you’re unhappy with your resume after 60 days, Monster will rewrite it free of charge.

The biggest drawback with Monster was that our test resume included some poor formatting, although that could've been addressed in follow-up discussions.

Best Price : The Muse

• Price: $119 and up
• Cover Letter: Depends on the writer
• LinkedIn Rewrite: Depends on the writer

The Muse earned our pick for the best-priced option because its rates were extremely competitive, especially given the individualized attention that was provided in each of the packages available.

Ability to choose your own writer

Quick turnaround times

Inexpensive pricing

Design and formatting needed some work

Summary paragraph was too long

Education and Training sections were missing information

The Muse is a New York City-based online career platform founded in 2011 by Kathryn Minshew, Alexandra Cavoulacos, and Melissa McCreery. It prides itself on providing career advice to new generations of job-seekers.

The Muse offers three basic plans for cover letter assistance: Mentor, Coach, and Master Coach. The Mentor plan beats out Monster's cheapest plan. For $119 you’ll have the opportunity to chat with a resume writer via Skype or phone before having your resume updated by a professional. Coach costs $225 and includes a 45-minute chat as well as two rounds of edits. Lastly, for $479 Master Coach gives you a 60-minute chat and unlimited rounds of edits for two weeks after receiving the first draft.

We found our writers to be more lenient when it came to revisions and rated them as excellent.

Best Customer Service : TopResume

• Cover Letter: With $219 plan

When we tried the service, our resume writer was responsive to our needs and exceeded the number of revisions stated in the agreement. That's why we chose TopResume as having the best customer service.

Simple signup process

One-page resume had good design and formatting

Summary and Job Scope sections were too long

Training section didn't stand out enough

Jeff Berger founded TopResume in 2014 and has since built a team of more than 1,500 resume writers across the United States.

One nice benefit of TopResume is that you can have your resume scanned free of charge before you decide whether to have it written by a professional. If you opt to move forward, there are three plans from which to choose. Professional Growth is the entry-level package at $149. The second plan is Career Evolution, which at $219 also includes a cover letter and a 60-day guarantee that you’ll land more interviews. Executive Priority costs $349 and includes all of the above plus a LinkedIn profile makeover.

The test resume that we got back from TopResume didn’t quite meet our expectations. The quality of the document was good, but not great, as the Experience and Summary sections seemed a bit short on accomplishments.

Best Guarantees : ZipJob

• Price: $139 and up
• Cover Letter: With $189 plan
• LinkedIn Rewrite: With $299 plan

Our pick as the best for guarantees is ZipJob because it provides a 60-day guarantee that job-seekers will land more interviews within this timeframe. If that doesn't happen, the company will review and rewrite your resume for free.

Resume delivered on time

Skills section contained strong keywords

Easy signup process

Design and format made reading the resume difficult

Summary paragraph was too long and contained clichés

Education and Training sections were poorly formatted

Founded in 2016, ZipJob aims to make the resume writing process "as professional and easy as possible." The company acknowledges that resumes are boring, time-consuming, and a struggle for people to write.

The plans available through ZipJob are modestly priced, starting with Launch. This entry-level plan costs $139 and optimizes your resume for applicant tracking systems. Fast Track is the next plan, at $189, and it includes a cover letter and a 60-day guarantee that you’ll land more interviews within two months. The third plan is Premium, which includes all the features of lower-priced plans, plus expedited delivery for $299.

While the test resume that we received from ZipJob was generally lackluster, the guarantee reduces customer risk.

Best Advanced Writers : iHire

• Price: $395
• Cover Letter: $49.50 extra
• LinkedIn Rewrite: N/A

We chose iHire for best advanced writers because the resume writer we used wrote one of the best resumes we received. The company also has clients complete an extensive questionnaire that helps its writers focus on the proper parts of your resume to highlight.

Strong resume content with impactful writing

Contained brief, easy-to-read paragraphs

Prestigious resume writing credentials

Took 18 days to hear from our resume writer

Most expensive price of the services we reviewed

Required to fill out an eight-page questionnaire

iHire has been in business since 1999, and it specializes in helping both employers and job seekers find the right match. If you’re looking for assistance with your resume, iHire offers a tool to score your resume against jobs, resume critiques, and professionally written resumes.

This company offers a base price of $395, which includes writing services from iHire employees called "Certified Advanced" and "Master Resume" writers. This will ensure you'll be working with top professionals and industry leaders who know which skills and experience employers are looking for. The resume is written and designed to accentuate the client's goals and experience. Users also have the option to pay an additional $49.50 for a cover letter. The fee is a bit pricier than other services, but with iHire you know you'll be getting the most bang for your buck.

Our top resume writing service is Let's Eat, Grandma, which includes a phone conversation in its Starter Package and returned a high-quality resume more quickly than many other services. The resume was professional and impressive enough that we'd be glad to present it to a recruiter.

Monster.com produced a resume nearly as good as the one from LEG, but there is no phone call included. Other companies we reviewed excel in their own ways, and whether you're looking for something inexpensive or you just want professional help along the way, you'll find a resume-writing service that works for you.

Compare the Best Resume Writing Services

Frequently asked questions, what is a resume writing service.

Resume writing services are companies or freelancers who help job-seekers improve the quality of their resumes so they stand out from other candidates. Though they all share this common goal, no two writing services are alike. They all have their own processes designed to provide clients with effective resumes with quick turnaround times and good customer service. The services available from resume writers are also diverse and vary across plans. However, all of them are designed to help candidates land more interviews.

How Do Resume Writing Services Work?

Customers typically are required to complete a questionnaire so the company can develop an understanding of what you do and where you are in your career , and find the best writer for your situation. A good resume writer will establish contact via phone and email and take some time to review your goals and accomplishments and ask questions about your career.

The final stage is receiving your resume from the writer.

How Much Does a Resume Writing Service Cost?

The price of having a resume written from scratch or rewritten varies. The lowest price we paid was $119, and the highest price we saw was $649. You’ll find resume writing services that will charge less and some that will charge more. The resume writing service that did the best job for us charged $399, mostly because of the resume they produced but also because it provided us with a cover letter as well.

Is Hiring a Resume Writing Service Worth the Cost?

A resume writing service is worth the cost if it provides great customer service and, most importantly, delivers a great document. However, in all of our reviews, we found the number of companies that actually do this to be relatively small. Some offered great customer service but a subpar resume, while some rewrote a strong resume but lacked in customer service.

To decide whether a resume writing service is right for you, query other job seekers in your personal network or on social networks like LinkedIn . Look at the services’ sample resumes as well.

What Is the Best Executive Resume Writing Service?

This ultimately comes down to personal preference, but iHire might be the best option for executives because it offers the most experienced resume writers of the services we reviewed. It also has one of the most extensive questionnaires, so writers should have a clear idea what to accentuate. Let's Eat, Grandma also is a good choice for executives because of the personal attention provided and the quality of the resume we received.

To find the best resume writing services, we used a comprehensive methodology to review and evaluate nearly a dozen companies that are available nationwide. We then chose several to review more in-depth using a test resume. We contracted with each of these services and reviewed their offerings based on pricing, customer service, certifications, and guarantees.

After we received the final test projects, we rated the quality of each section (Summary, Skills, Experience, Training, and Education) as well as the overall design and formatting. We combined all of the scores for these factors to establish overall ratings for each provider and make our top picks.

peepo / Getty Images

Zippia. " Monster Worldwide History: Founding, Timeline, and Milestones ."

10 Best Resume Writing Services for 2024

22 min read

Every month, there are over 5,000 searches for phrases like "best resume writing service."

You’ll find results for local and national options, as well as professional resume writers in different industries.

While browsing the listings, you’ll notice hundreds of companies and freelancers offering resume writing services that appear to be quite shady. Since your resume can get your foot in the door and help you land the right job, it’s important to select a quality service that gets you results.

To help take the guesswork out of choosing the right resume service for you, our team of career experts researched more than 200 resume services for job seekers in the US and Canada. This post discusses our top picks, as well as an overview of each resume service.

At the end of this post, we have some valuable advice about how to tell if other service reviews are legitimate.

Top resume writing services

CareerPerfect

Capstone Resume Services

iHireFinance

ResumeSpice

Before you buy: how to find legitimate service reviews

This list does not include any affiliate links or paid placements.

Should you use a local or national service?

While searching for resume services, you will find both national and local results. The only time you would choose to use a local service is when you are meeting the writer face to face.

The majority of local services will work with you virtually (not in person) so you may be better off hiring a national company that has access to a wide network of writers and an  ATS resume test  built into the process.

We found that the average cost of a quality resume is around $157 . This number doesn't reflect add-on offers like LinkedIn profiles, career advice, or cover letter services.

Pricing : $139 – $299

Turnaround : 3 to 7 days

Writers : 100+ professional resume writers with backgrounds in HR, Fortune 500 recruiting, career coaching, job placement, and professional writing.

Industries : 65+ industries including Business, Finance, IT, Healthcare, Sales, Marketing, and more.

View Services

You didn't think we were going to put a different service here, did you? Yes, our team may be biased...but we also live and breathe resume writing, so we know why our service is top-notch.

ZipJob uses a tech-informed, expert-designed protocol to create resumes that appeal to hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems : the same technology used by more than 90% of employers to screen and parse resumes.

ZipJob’s resume writing services are designed for companies hiring in the USA and Canada, which is where all of the writers are located. Most companies use applicant tracking systems to manage and sort through job applicants. A single job post averages 250 applicants, so the ATS helps employers keep track of those applications.

However, the ATS has another important job: filtering out the resumes that don’t meet the pre-set requirements. On average, applicant tracking systems filter out 75% of the resumes submitted. Here are the most common reasons applicants get rejected automatically:

Improper resume formatting

Incorrect use of keywords

So if the ATS can mistakenly reject otherwise qualified candidates, what does that mean for you? That's exactly what ZipJob is here to help with.

Resume writers experienced in resume keyword optimization add an extra step at the end of the process to ensure your new resume will be parsed correctly by an ATS scan.

Pros of using ZipJob

Professional writers  — ZipJob only hires professional resume writers with experience and ATS training.

60-Day interview guarantee — ZipJob guarantees that you’ll get at least 200% as many interviews or we will rewrite your resume for free.

ATS technology —  ZipJob uses the same ATS technology employers use to help ensure every resume gets through to a hiring manager.

Direct communication  — One of the few services that allow you direct, unlimited access to your personal resume writer until your project is complete.

Reputation  — ZipJob’s reputation speaks for itself. ZipJob has been featured in  Forbes ,  Reader’s Digest ,  Marketwatch ,  Glassdoor ,  The Muse , and other big-name media outlets. ZipJob is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. In addition, ZipJob has earned more than  800 five-star reviews and 10,000+ happy clients.

A ZipJob review

"I spent a lot of time researching resume writing services. That was quite a feat and stressful with everything out there. I finally decided on ZipJob...After several revisions we hit on a resume that appears to be working. Prior to my latest revision I had sent out close to hundred resumes and had one interview. I've put out about another 40, and I've had movement in making it past the ATS system to pretesting with 2 jobs and an initial interview with another job. Considering this is the holidays and we're in a pandemic I'm heartened by the response. Thank you ZipJob and Julie!" -Floyd, verified ZipJob customer

Note: this review was edited slightly for length and clarity.

How ZipJob works

Upload your resume and answer a few questions. If you don't have a current resume, these questions will help your writer get started on your new resume from scratch.

Get matched with a resume expert in your field who will overhaul your resume. Each project focuses on ATS-friendly formatting, keyword optimization, and value-focused language.

Collaborate directly with your writer through multiple revisions until you're satisfied with your resume. 

Approve a final draft. This will trigger the last step in ZipJob's resume writing process: the ATS resume test . Your new resume will go through our in-house system to ensure that your resume will pass through recruitment software used by more than 90% of employers.

Start using your new resume and watch your interview requests triple!

You can contact ZipJob by phone at (888) 944-9929 or via live chat from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. You can also email customer service any time at  [email protected] .

2. LinkedIn

Pricing : $250 – $700+

Turnaround : 3 to 14 days

Writers : 100+

Industries : All industries including Finance, IT, Healthcare, Marketing and more.

Most people use LinkedIn to search for jobs and career-related information. However, many are unaware that it offers a “service marketplace” called LinkedIn Services (formerly LinkedIn ProFinder) for interviewing, career coaching, and resume writing.

Technically, yes, this is a platform and not a resume writing service. However, we are rating this option highly because LinkedIn takes steps to ensure its pros are legit. For example, each professional submits an online application that must be approved by LinkedIn, and past client reviews are readily available for anyone considering a certain resume writer.

Pros of using LinkedIn

Time efficient  — Receive proposals quickly from your potential resume writer.

Person to person  — Pick from a number of resume critique and expert review professionals whom you want to work with, based on their LinkedIn profiles and other information they provide.

Cost effective  — Since these are resume critique and expert review freelancers, the prices may be more competitive than a company. Still expect to pay $150+ for a quality resume, but know that your money is going directly to your writer.

Local options  — You can opt for local-only professionals, making this a great option if you feel strongly about meeting with your resume writer in person.

Speaking of LinkedIn, do you know  how to include your LinkedIn URL on a resume ? Most employers will look you up on LinkedIn before interviewing you anyway, so it's common to include a link to your profile in your resume's contact section.

Working with LinkedIn

Answer a couple of questions about the services you’re looking for.

Within 24 hours (and likely much sooner), get up to 5 proposals from professionals on LinkedIn’s list. Each proposal will include a price quote.

Research and select your resume writer. Every writer will have a different system to process from there.

LinkedIn helps you find freelance resume writers, but doesn’t have a company-wide standard for resume writing. Instead, you should look into multiple freelancers based on their proposals and pick the resume style you like best as not all freelancers are created equal.

If you need any help, LinkedIn offers a concierge team, which is essentially tech support and customer service for hiring a pro. You can use live chat or a contact form to reach out.

3. TopResume

Pricing : $149 – $349

Turnaround : 7 to 14 days

Writers : 1,500+ professional writers including certified career coaches, recruiters, and experienced hiring professionals.

Industries : All industries including Military transition, Academic, and Federal resumes.

This list would not be complete without TopResume. TopResume is technically one of our direct competitors, but any list of the best resume writing services would be incomplete (and misleading) if we omitted them. Their writers do great work--as evidenced by their Trustpilot reviews --and the company does belong on this list.

One of the most common questions is if TopResume is legit. The answer, from our professional perspective, is that they are legit. Look at real reviews on unbiased review sites and check out our tips later in this article on how to spot a resume writing service scam.

TopResume’s website includes many compelling statistics about working with a professional resume writer. According to its research, a professionally written resume makes you:

38% more likely to be contacted by recruiters 

31% more likely to land an interview

40% more likely to land a job

Pros for TopResume

Large, well-established company  — TopResume was founded in 2014 by Jeff Berger and has a network of 1,500+ resume writers across the country as well as an international network through their sister brand, TopCV , specializing in professional CV rewrites.

History of success  — According to its website, TopResume has helped 600,000+ professionals “land more interviews and get hired faster.” You can check out some of their success stories here .

Positive reviews  — Given how big it is, TopResume has had the opportunity to help thousands of people. It has more than 7,000 five star reviews on Trustpilot .

TopResume review

"Fantastic service that gave 100% to get my resume in a professionally formatted, scan friendly format / content - saw great increase in activity from headhunters and recruiters post TopResume’s assistance. My professional writer was intelligent, understood my personal situation and desired objectives - and delivered the goods!" -Joseph, TopResume customer

Working with TopResume

Upload your resume and get matched with an expert writer from its vast network.

Collaborate one-on-one with your writer via TopResume’s dashboard to revise your resume.

Receive a resume tailored to your goals.

TopResume guarantees that you’ll receive two times more job interviews or they’ll rewrite your resume again one time, free-of-charge.

There is also the option to add on a phone call for an additional fee--otherwise, your communication happens online. If you need to contact the company, you can email them at  [email protected]  or call 800-604-1929 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on weekdays. There is also have a live chat option from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

4. The Muse

Pricing : $119 – $1,699

Turnaround : 4 to 7 days

Writers : 80+

Industries : All industries including HR/recruiting, fitness/health, and fashion.

The Muse offers a different model to provide resume help. Instead of a text-based collaboration, The Muse has a resume review coaching service that includes a resume update. Depending on the coaching service you purchase, you get 30, 45, or 60 minutes for a video call or phone call with your career coach.

Pros of using The Muse

Highly interpersonal  — If you are looking for a conversation about your resume, this coaching service is a great option.

Lots of options  — The Muse has a wide network of experts in a range of fields. Mentors, coaches, and master coaches are vetted and backed by The Muse.

Working with The Muse:

Choose a service such as “Resume Review” coaching, “Resume and LinkedIn Review” coaching, or the “Ultimate Job Search” Kit.

Book a coach, based on filters like your industry and years of experience.

Schedule your coaching call. Your coach will contact you within one business day of your booking.

After your coaching session, you will get an updated version of your resume that is designed to be “eye-catching” and “ATS-beating.” Depending on your service, you may get one, two, or unlimited rounds of edits within a two week time period.

This is a highly personalized service, so you need to do your research before picking a coach. If you have any problems with your service, you can contact the company at  [email protected]

Pricing : $129 – $349

Turnaround : 2 to 5 days

Writers : 50+

Industries : All industries including Finance, IT, Healthcare, Marketing, and more.

Although Monster is primarily a job board, it also offers resume writing services. Like many of these resume companies, there are tiers of services with additional add-ons for cover letters and LinkedIn profiles.

Monster stands out as a recruiter-focused resume writing service. Based on their decades of job searches and working with recruiters to source talent, their resumes are easy for recruiters to filter and scan.

Pros of using Monster

Established  — Monster has been around for 20+ years and has earned a positive name recognition.

60-day guarantee  — If you aren’t completely satisfied with your resume or other products, you can get it rewritten for free.

Additional services  — Monster has a job board so you can take your new resume and upload it quickly to apply for jobs.

International reach  — Monster provides services for the US and Canada as well as the UK, France, Germany, and The Netherlands

A review of Monster

"I had the pleasure of using Monster to update my resume and cover letter. They asked relevant questions, formulated a concise and thoughtful resume and cover letter that played to my strengths and goals. The thing most worth noting was that I felt like a person in my industry wrote my resume - as she was able to extrapolate all the necessary verbiage as it specifically related to my experience and field. It was a very positive experience - one that landed me my first interview within my field that will take me in the direction that I was hoping to pivot into."

-Joann, verified Monster customer

How it works

Upload your resume and answer additional questions via a brief questionnaire.

Get a resume draft with additional keyword opportunities.

Provide feedback for up to one revision.

Monster resume writing services have limited revisions: only one draft and one revision. The modes of communication with your writer is also limited to text-based messages through email. They don’t offer phone services.

If you’re having trouble communicating with your writer, you can email  [email protected]  or call Monster at (978) 461-8000 . Its website also has a live chat function that can connect you with a real person within a few minutes.

6. CareerPerfect

Pricing : $179.95 – $499.95

Turnaround : 4 to 5 days

Writers : 5+

Industries : All, including Federal, Executive, and Entry-Level

CareerPerfect is an online resume writing service with additional cover letter, interview, job search, and career planning services. It offers resume writing services in four categories: student and entry-level, professional and mid-career, executive, and federal and military. Since CareerPerfect’s start over 30 years ago, it has helped plenty of job seekers with both advice and career services.

Pros of CareerPerfect

Global presence — Specializing in US employers, CareerPerfect has a global reach and partners with several high-profile career websites internationally.

Online career services pioneer  — CareerPerfect started offering career service online in 1996 and has been leading online career services ever since.

Editing service  — In addition to CareerPerfect’s resume writing services, you can also opt for a resume editing service from a professional.

Working with CareerPerfect

Place your order using several payment options including PayPal and most major credit cards.

Provide information by uploading your previously prepared materials or CareerPerfect’s SkillNet tool to identify additional accomplishments and strengths.

Develop your document with the help of a professional resume writer.

Have a keyword-rich personal marketing document in 4 to 5 business days.

CareerPerfect advertises that its team is made up of only US-based writers with four-year college degrees, and collectively have expertise in over 90 industries. The company is a member of the Career Management Alliance as well as the National Employment Counseling Association.

For resume writing inquiries, you can call  1-877-844-5724  between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET. You can also email the support team or your resume writer from within your account after logging in.

7. Capstone Resume Services

Pricing : $149 – $299

Turnaround : 5 to 7 days

Industries : All industries, including Professional, Academic, and Federal.

Capstone Resumes offer a variety of specialized resume services, such as Federal and Executive Level resumes. The company was started by Amy Giles, who has been writing resumes since 2003. Capstone Resumes was formerly called Gies Career Services, but now specializes in the resume writing portion of the business.

Pros of using Capstone Resumes

Conversation-first approach — Capstone Resume services begin with a 15 to 30 minute phone call, instead of the questionnaire approach most companies use.

Certified writers  — The resume writers are introduced with a photo and a certification on the Capstone website. Each member is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with a different background.

Specializations  — Certain resumes, like Executive and Federal, require specialized formats. Capstone Resumes has different payment options for their resume services, as opposed to the more common tiered approach. With the team’s background in HR, recruitment, and the U.S. Navy, it is likely these formats are effective.

Quick delivery time  — Many positive reviewers mention how they received their resumes with 1 to 3 days of their initial phone consultation.

Easy to contact — Amy, the owner of Capstone Resumes, makes her direct email very easy to find. She appears to be quite responsive and open to revisions to ensure client satisfaction.

Working with Capstone Resume Services

Schedule a phone consultation–you can upload your resume at the same time.

Purchase the services you need, selecting your resume format as well as any additional cover letter or LinkedIn services.

Work with your writer to finalize your resume.

You can reach the company by phone at  (650) 445-5301  or through the contact form on its website. You can reach Amy directly at [email protected].

8. iHireFinance

Pricing : $395

Industries : Finance

iHireFinance is a niche job board that focuses on open, vetted opportunities in the financial sector. The resume services they offer integrate well with their job board service.

Because it was built for finance professionals specifically, iHireFinance is a great option for budget analysts, equity traders, tax managers, and all finance specialists. The writers are educated, certified, and trained in modern resume writing especially for finance.

In addition to their resume writing service, iHireFinance has a separate cover letter service. If you only need help with a cover letter instead of a resume/cover letter bundle, this is a good option.

Pros of using iHireFinance

Made for the finance industry — iHireFinance is hyper-focused on people and companies in the financial services industry. 

Optional membership — With a membership, you get a discount on the writing services as well as access to a handy iScore Resume Match tool to use on the job board.

Formatting service — In addition to iHireFinance’s resume writing services, you can also opt for just a resume formatting service to improve the design of your existing resume. This is priced at $99.

Working with iHireFinance:

Create an account. Select a service from entry-level, professional, or executive resume services.

Complete a questionnaire and upload your current resume.

Finalize your resume–your first draft should arrive within 5 to 7 business days–and work with your writer until you are 100% satisfied.

For resume writing inquiries, you can call (877) 840-6217 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET. You can also email the support team through a contact form on the website.

9. LiveCareer

Pricing : $99 – $299

LiveCareer started as a career test site in 2004 and eventually launched a resume builder and a professional resume writing service. It is one of the largest resume builders around, with over 10 million resumes created for people in 180 countries.

In addition to its resume writing service, LiveCareer has a separate cover letter writing option. If you only need help with a cover letter instead of a resume/cover letter bundle, this is a good option.

Pros of using LiveCareer

Established  — LiveCareer has been around longer than most resume services, and features a large network of writers and career experts.

Global  — LiveCareer is headquartered in New York City, and has offices in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. While its employee information on LinkedIn states that most of its workers are located in India, the resume writers seem to be located mostly in the US.

Large resume database  — LiveCareer has 700,000 resumes from various locations, industries, and roles that you can filter and search.

More than just resumes  — This career service company also has a mobile app, job apply tool, job board, and salary calculator.

Working with LiveCareer

Choose from three resume services based on your career stage.

Answer a few additional questions about your background.

One-on-one optional consultation with your writer, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes based on the package you purchased.

Receive your completed resume within 3 business days.

LiveCareer offers many services in addition to the resume writing services. It’s one of the most popular choices for resume building.

If you need to contact the company about your resume services, you can reach customer service by phone at (844) 485-4050 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m CT. There is also a live chat service if you have an account login, or you can email the team at [email protected].

10. ResumeSpice

Pricing: $479-699

Turnaround: 2 days (first draft)

Writers: 5+

Industries: Multiple industries, with services targeting everything from entry-level resume needs to resumes for professionals and executives.

ResumeSpice was launched by a team of recruitment professionals who wanted to create a dynamic job service firm that offered first-class coaching for job seekers.

ResumeSpice’s team of experienced resume writers focuses on crafting expert-level resumes that are designed to pass screening from Applicant Tracking Systems , while delivering the compelling content job seekers need to capture the attention of hiring managers and recruiters.

The company also provides career coaching services to assist job seekers in navigating an increasingly complex job search environment. Their certified experts are there to offer free consultations on resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, optimization of LinkedIn profiles, and more.

ResumeSpice writers utilize the industry’s best practices for resume creation, relying on formats that consistently attract hiring managers’ attention. They are experts in utilizing keywords in an optimal manner, ensuring that the end results can pass those ATS screenings.

While they are one of the newest and costliest services on our list, reviews suggest that ResumeSpice yields the results needed to justify the expense.

Pros of using ResumeSpice

Expert writers and coaches— ResumeSpice’s team is comprised of certified resume specialists and career coaches with years of experience in their field.

60-Day interview guarantee — ResumeSpice provides a guaranteed interview within 60 days, or they will “make it right.”

ATS— ResumeSpice is committed to ensuring that every resume they create has the optimization needed to satisfy any ATS.

Direct communication —ResumeSpice offers a direct line of communication for you to consult with your resume expert, including up to two revisions of the resume.

Reputation — ResumeSpice has been featured by MarketWatch, the Job Network, and the Houston Business journal, and has helped clients land jobs at companies like Nike, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and Charles Schwab.

A ResumeSpice review

"Caitlin was amazing!! I was changing careers after being in the financial industry for 24 years. She revamped my resume, provided amazing cover letters explaining my transition and also provided me with a Thank You letter and updated my LinkedIn profile. Caitlin totally got me and made me look like a superstar/qualified candidate!!

I worked with Kathy on my Interview skills since I hadn't interviewed in 24 years, to say I was rusty was an understatement lol. Kathy provided me with helpful documents and amazing answers to interview questions I found to be annoying and difficult. Kathy gave me the confidence to nail my interviews!! TOTALLY worth the money!!”

- Donna, ResumeSpice customer

How ResumeSpice works

You start by choosing your preferred resume option, as well as any supplemental services you need like interview prep, cover letters, etc.

ResumeSpice will then email you with a short questionnaire link and a link to help you schedule your consultation.

At your consultation, your resume expert will work with you to identify your career needs and gather information for your resume or other products.

With that information, your writer will create your personalized resume and deliver the draft copy to you within two days.

At that point, you get to review the document and make any requests for modifications. You have up to seven days to make those change requests, and can have revisions made a total of two times.

Once the revision process is completed, you receive your finished resume in both Word and PDF formats.

If you ordered any other services, those are completed only after your resume is finished.  

You can contact ResumeSpice by phone at (832) 930-7378 or using live chat at their website. For more information, you can email them at [email protected].

There are many professional resume writing services to choose from, such as the 10 on this list. Since there is no shortage of fraudulent services out there, do your due diligence before giving your private information to a less than reputable company.

The best resume writing services have good examples, positive reviews, and responsive customer service teams. Remember that resume writing services are mainly digital today, so you don’t need to limit your search to local options. When in doubt, however, keep in mind that if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

We hope this article helps you pick the best resume writing service for your career goals. Good luck with your job search!

What to read next:

How Much Should a Resume Writing Service Cost?

Hiring a Resume Writing Service | Is it Worth the Money?

Caitlin Proctor, CPRW, Certified Professional Résumé Writer

Caitlin joined the ZipJob team in 2019 as a professional resume writer and career advisor. She specializes in strategic advice for executives, career pivots, and remote workers. Read more resume advice from Caitlin on ZipJob’s blog .

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The 7 Best Biotech Resume Writers in 2022

Are you searching for a professional biotech resume writer but are inundated with too many options?

We were too. After extensive research, we’ve found the best biotech resume writing services.

We had our certified resume experts review hundreds of professional resume writing services and they identified the most important things to look for when selecting a biotech resume service.

Overall Rating: How does the resume service compare to other services?

Resume Quality: Will you receive a unique, eye-catching, ATS-compatible resume?

Phone Consult: Is a one-on-one phone consultation with your writer included with your resume?

Draft Time: How quickly will the service deliver the first draft of your resume?

Resume Cost: How much will your professional resume cost?

Satisfaction Guarantee: Are there any guarantees included with your resume?

1 ResumeZest

Best overall resume service.

Who you work with: The ResumeZest team consists of Certified Professional Resume Writers (CPRWs) with backgrounds in HR, recruiting, and career coaching. Your writer is assigned based on your unique background and experience ensuring you work with someone familiar with your line of work.

Additional services: Cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile makeover, professional bios, thank you letters, and expedited delivery.

2 Find My Profession

Elite option for executives.

Who you work with: Find My Profession hires elite US-based Master Resume Writers with experience covering 85+ industries and professions. Whether you are a physician, lawyer, executive, or working for the federal government, they will assign you a seasoned writer with vast experience in your line of work.

Additional services: LinkedIn profile makeover, cover letter writing, expedited delivery, professional bios, career coaching, and professionally managed job search.

3 iHire Biotechnology

Master resume writer.

Who you work with: iHire Biotechnology is a dedicated job site for the biotech industry that offers resume writing services for biotech professionals. Their professional resume writers have helped over 5,600 job seekers. The team includes Certified Advanced Resume Writers (CARW) and Certified Master Resume Writers (CMRW).

Additional services: Cover letter writing, job portal, and outplacement.

4 Distinctive Career Services

Free bonus content.

Who you work with: Distinctive Career Services was founded by multi-certified and award-winning resume writer Michelle Dumas in 1996. Michelle has a team of certified resume writers to craft resumes for biotech and related industries. The team includes Certified Master Resume Writers (CMRWs).

Additional Services: LinkedIn profile makeover, cover letter writing, professional bios, job search coaching, career coaching, resume distribution service, interview coaching, and networking coaching. 

5 An Expert Resume

Multiple award-winning resume service.

Who you work with: An Expert Resume is run by multi-certified resume writer Laura Smith-Proulx. Laura has 35 TORI awards and nominations under her belt. She also holds experience as a recruiter. Having been in the business for over 20 years, Laura is experienced in writing resumes for biotech professionals. 

Additional Services: LinkedIn profile makeover, cover letter writing, professional bios, interview and job search guides, interview coaching, and resume distribution services. 

6 Great Resume Fast

Who you work with: Jessica Hernandez founded Great Resume Fast in 2008. Jessica and her resume writers are experienced in writing biotech resumes. All the writers have years of hiring experience. The team includes an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). 

Additional Services: Cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile makeover, job search guides, elevator pitch template, thank you letters, professional bios, and value proposition letters.

7 Resume Writing Lab

Who you work with: Resume Writing Lab has a team of resume writers, including biotech resume writers. They assign every client a resume writer who is qualified to write for the specific job market. Their website states that all the resume writers are certified, but details about individual writers are not available.  

Additional Services: Cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile makeover, thank you letters, follow up letters, and career coaching.

Ready to Rewrite Your Resume?

20 new books you need to read this summer

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There was a time when “summer books” meant popcorn reads you consumed in a sunbaked afternoon — disposable books devoured and left behind for the next hotel room guest.

Not that there’s anything wrong with the joy of a high-paced thriller, the passionate heights of romance or the horror that raises goosebumps in the heat. We love them ourselves. But summer is also a time for slowing down to taste lots of literary flavors, whether it’s the spiciness of a globe-trotting adventure, the sweetness of late-life companionship or the bite of salt-and-vinegar short stories. Summer 2024 is an overflowing picnic basket of choices.

Here are 20 forthcoming books — publishing between late May and August — that we recommend to kick off the reading season. For those of us unable to travel this year, nothing beats the simple pleasure of a great book with a cold drink on a summer afternoon.

Ah, summer. The time of year when school lets out, days grow long and grills fire up. Even in places like L.A., though, where rain can be scarce, there are plenty of reasons (too hot, too lazy, too sunburned) to stay inside and curl up with some AC. That’s where The Times’ 2024 Summer Preview comes in: As you check out our guides to the movies, TV shows and books we’re looking forward to this season, be sure to read the stories below about some of the most highly anticipated.

• We strap in with director George Miller, the ‘Mad Max’ mastermind, back with ‘Furiosa’
• ‘I relive it every night’: Jeremy Renner reflects on the day he almost died, and why he’s alive

A gender-fluid childhood at an RV park in the desert. Zoë Bossiere wouldn’t change a thing

Kittentits By Holly Wilson Zando-Gillian Flynn Books: 368 pages, $28 (May 21)

Ten-year-old homeschooled Molly is bored with life at the nun-haunted House of Friends. Scuzzy daredevil Jeanie arrives at their living community after a disastrous fire, leaving Molly enthralled. When Jeanie fakes her own death, Molly runs away to find her at the 1992 Chicago World’s Fair and to connect with their dead moms. Molly learns a passel of thinpgs in this surrealist, carnivalesque bildungsroman.

Swift River By Essie Chambers Simon & Schuster: 304 pages, $28 (June 4)

Chambers’ funny debut is set in a 1980s New England mill town in decline. Seven years after her father’s disappearance, Diamond Newberry and her mother are struggling, but Diamond’s observations provide comic leavening. During the summer of 1987, her mom files to have Pop declared dead, which is when things get complicated. Diamond receives a letter from an unknown relative, which starts her on a path to learn her family — and the nation’s — history.

Kathleen Hanna is a troubadour unafraid to speak out

Kathleen Hanna’s memoir, ‘Rebel Girl,’ is a bold portrait: a crucial book about feminist politics and art and a tender examination of a woman who survived abuse and sexual assault.

May 2, 2024

Godwin By Joseph O’Neill Pantheon: 288 pages, $28 (June 4)

“The next Pelé” or “the next Messi” are words sure to ignite the fantasies of soccer fans anywhere. When tech writer Mark is contacted by his sports agent, half-brother Geoff, Mark leaves Pittsburgh to join him on a madcap adventure to find such a phenom: an African teenager known only as “Godwin.” O’Neill combines the brothers’ exploits with sharp observations about international business and issues like greenwashing and corruption that have tarnished the world’s game.

The Phoenix Ballroom By Ruth Hogan William Morrow: 320 pages, $19 (June 11)

How late is too late for a woman to change her life? In Hogan’s novel of life during widowhood, Venetia Hargreaves searches for a new self in her 70s. After 50 years of marriage, Venetia, who used to be an accomplished dancer, embraces her newly independent life. On a walk, she passes by an old building that had once been the Phoenix Ballroom, which she buys and restores. In hopes of a return to her youthful days, Venetia finds community in an entertaining motley crew of lost souls.

Summer Books Preview

20 books to keep you reading through August If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org , whose fees support independent bookstores.

Sons of El Rey By Alex Espinoza Simon and Schuster: 384 pages, $29 (June 11)

Lucha libre took its hold in Mexico, and its high-flying masked performers are the superstars in its freestyle wrestling rings. In Espinoza’s entertaining and poignant novel, he writes of Ernesto Vega’s fame and fortune as a luchador known to his fans as El Rey Coyote. In East Los Angeles, his son, Freddy, fights to save his dad’s gym while Freddy’s gay son, Julian, seeks purpose. As Ernesto reaches the end of his life, his son and grandson will find their own answers in the streets of 1980s L.A. and the present reality of West Hollywood.

Bear By Julia Phillips Hogarth: 304 pages, $28 (June 25)

One of “Grimms’ Fairy Tales” inspired Phillips, a 2024 Guggenheim fellow and lauded author of “Disappearing Earth.” Sisters Sam and Elena live on an island off the coast of Washington, their birthplace that’s become a dead end for them both. When Sam spies a swimming bear from the ferry where she works, she is shocked, but it’s an even bigger surprise when the bear shows up at their house. A retelling of “Rose Red and Snow White,” “Bear” is a fantabulous delight.

Another North By Jennifer Brice Boreal Books: 240 pages, $18 (June 25)

Brice previously chronicled her Alaska youth in “Unlearning to Fly.” In “Another North,” she returns to Fairbanks as a divorced woman longing for a sense of home. The new collection takes readers from her life as a professor in New York‘s Leatherstocking Country to her days piloting small planes in the Alaska bush. Brice is a beautiful prose stylist, and her book navigates the turbulence of middle age with a steady — and elegant — hand.

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April 3, 2024

Pink Slime By Fernanda Trías Scribner: 240 pages, $24 (July 2)

Trías won the National Uruguayan Literature Prize in her native country, and “Pink Slime,” newly translated by Heather Cleary, is a great display of her chops. Set in a city diminished by plague and a poisonous algae bloom, the narrator focuses her attention on her remaining relationships. In writing about the ways folks hold together during difficult times, Trías untangles the myths and realities of resilience.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore Riverhead: 496 pages, $30 (July 2)

Moore takes readers to an Adirondack summer camp in the mid-’70s. When Barbara Van Laar’s bunk turns up empty one morning, it sets off a frenzied search by the surrounding community. Barbara appears to have suffered the same fate as her brother, who disappeared 14 years prior. Moore’s familiarity with the Adirondacks — and the area’s long history as a playground of the rich — inspired this multilayered novel about wealthy wilderness camp people and the blue-collar folks who must accommodate them.

All This & More By Peng Shepherd William Morrow: 512 pages, $30 ` (July 9)

Shepherd, a finalist for a 2023 L.A. Times Book Prize, returns with another clever novel that plays with time and space. Here readers meet Marsh (short for Marshmallow), a 45-year-old woman who is disappointed with her lot in life. Happiness beckons when she is selected to star in a reality show where all of her past mistakes can be fixed, if she is willing to accept the consequences. Shepherd includes “choose your own adventure” moments for readers so Marsh’s fate is in their hands.

The Heart in Winter By Kevin Barry Doubleday: 256 pages, $28 (July 9)

Irish Booker Prize nominee Kevin Barry traverses the Atlantic in this story set in 1891 Montana. Immigrant workers toil in the copper mines that build Butte’s fortunes. In the midst of the archetypical frontier town, Tom Rourke fuels himself by drinking, doping and writing. When he falls head over heels for the mine captain’s new wife, Polly, a cadre of crazy Cornishmen take off in hot pursuit of the poet and his muse.

Why Don Winslow’s ‘City in Ruins’ will be his last novel

Don Winslow reveals why his latest novel, ‘City in Ruins,’ the final installment in the Danny Ryan series, will be his last.

April 1, 2024

Bad Tourists by Caro Carver Avid Reader: 336 pages, $29 (July 9)

In addition to malfunctioning airplanes, one of the hazards of traveling is getting caught up in a group of bad tourists. In Carver’s tropical paradise of a book, a trio of friends heads to the Maldives to make over their 40-something lives. What should be fun turns dangerous when a body shows up on the white beaches outside their resort. In both a romp and a thriller, Carver immerses readers in secret-filled waters.

The Striker and the Clock: On Being in the Game By Georgia Cloepfil Riverhead: 208 pages, $27 (July 16)

A watershed moment in women’s sports this past spring has cast a light on the athletes who, instead of riches, face uncertain futures after graduation. In this riveting memoir by professional soccer player Cloepfil, she takes readers on a trip with her to find a living playing in South Korea, Australia, Lithuania and other far-flung locations. A paean to the beautiful game, the book chronicles how Cloepfil overcame adversity to strike joy.

Sugar on the Bones By Joe R. Lansdale Mulholland: 336 pages, $29 (July 16)

Lansdale makes a triumphant return to his Hap and Leonard novels with this scorcher. When Minnie Polson comes to the duo’s PI agency seeking help, things go south after an ill-timed remark causes her to storm out. She later turns up dead and the guilt-stricken pair seeks her killer. Minnie’s family — full of eccentricities and petty grievances — are the unusual suspects.

The Bright Sword By Lev Grossman Viking: 688 pages, $35 (July 16)

Grossman follows up his wildly successful “The Magicians” trilogy with this tale of misfits at King Arthur’s Round Table. Arthur is dead and just a few of his knights remain in Camelot. Enter Collum — two weeks too late to serve Arthur — a young knight who teams up with Merlin’s former apprentice and Sir Bedivere, Sir Palomides and Sir Dagonet. Their journey through a land riven by conflict in search of Arthur’s successor will reveal the country’s bloody origins.

Instead of writing about Princess Diana, Chris Bohjalian opted for her Vegas impersonator

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March 19, 2024

The Wilds By Sarah Pearse Pamela Dorman Books: 400 pages, $30 (July 16)

Detective Elin Warner can’t get a break from her job. Each time she goes on a vacation or retreat, murder follows. She travels to Portugal to immerse herself in nature but her sojourn is interrupted by a young woman’s disappearance. The missing woman’s map leads Elin into the wilderness where scenes of great beauty turn dark and threatening. Pearse has written another intriguing page-turner.

Queen B: The Story of Anne Boleyn, Witch Queen By Juno Dawson Penguin: 224 pages, $18 (July 23)

Dawson is the queen of young adult fiction in the U.K., and her nonfiction works have explored LGBTQ+ issues. Set in the court of Henry VIII, “Queen B” follows Lady Grace Fairfax as she seeks the traitors who betrayed Anne Boleyn. When witchfinders are sent to root out members of the condemned queen’s coven, court intrigue follows. Juno summons a tale that is the perfect length for a sultry weekend read.

The Modern Fairies By Clare Pollard Avid Reader: 272 pages, $28 (July 23)

Those in search of a bawdy fairy tale should look no further than Pollard’s novel set during the reign of Louis XIV. Intellectuals from Versailles gather at the home of Madame Marie D’Aulnoy. They bring court gossip and romantic desire with them, and they entertain each other with ribald tales of missing glass slippers, beauties and beasts, while remaining oblivious to the wolf that waits outside their salon door. Pollard imagines the origins of many of the tales gathered by Charles Perrault.

The Future Was Now: Madmen, Mavericks, and the Epic Sci-Fi Summer of 1982 By Chris Nashawaty Flatiron: 304 pages, $30 (July 30)

The summer of 1982 took moviegoers on epic rides through the sci-fi worlds of a future L.A. and the Australian desert, and introduced a lost extraterrestrial trying to get home. In all, eight sci-fi adventures were released that summer, and Nashawaty, former Entertainment Weekly film critic, expertly covers their behind-the-scenes conflicts and (not surprising) ego clashes. Hollywood boldly went where it hadn’t gone before and Nashawaty chronicles the journeys.

Mystery Lights By Lena Valencia Tin House: 256, $18 (Aug. 6)

Kelly Link has praised the “gorgeous” “Mystery Lights.” It’s the debut short story collection by former L.A. resident Valencia. Among the collection’s delicious bonbons are stories about an anxious screenwriter trapped in an SUV; 20 women who need a retreat from the business retreat they’re on; and an obsessed artist who longs to capture an otherworldly light. In the umbra of these darkly tinged stories, readers will experience late-night fears and the sweet relief of daylight.

More to Read

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