Working with a resume writer is easier when you can explain two things: the role you want and the experience you can bring to it. You do not need to arrive with polished paragraphs. A few accurate notes, an old resume and examples of your work give the conversation a useful starting point.
Use these five steps to prepare for working with a resume writer before you enquire about professional resume writing services. Use it whether you are changing careers, returning to work or applying for a more senior position.
1. Choose the roles you want to target when working with a resume writer
Save two or three job advertisements that represent the work you actually want. Include the full advertisement or position description, not just the job title. Similar titles can involve very different responsibilities.
For each role, note what appeals to you, which requirements you can already demonstrate and where you may need further training or experience. If you are considering unrelated career paths, say so. That is useful information for deciding what each version of your resume needs to emphasise.
The University of Sydney’s resume guidance recommends tailoring your resume to the vacancy and presenting your skills and achievements truthfully. The target advertisements help you keep that connection clear.
2. Send your current resume and any other career timeline information.
Bring your most recent resume, even if it feels out of date. If you don’t have a resume, you can send us your LinkedIn profile or even start with a questionnaire. Add notes about anything missing: a promotion, a secondment, contract work, study or a period away from paid employment. An old document is a starting record, not something you need to fix before asking for help.
Create a simple timeline with:
- Employer names, position titles and start and finish months and years.
- Promotions or changes in responsibilities within the same organisation.
- Relevant qualifications, licences and professional development.
- Projects, placements or volunteer work that relate to your next role.
Mark dates you need to confirm. It is better to leave a question in your notes than to turn a guess into a confident statement on your resume.
3. Collect examples that show how you work
A job description explains what a role involves. Your examples explain what you contributed. Think about a problem you solved, a process you improved, a customer you helped or a piece of work you completed under difficult conditions.
For each example, write a few notes under four prompts:
- Situation: What needed attention?
- Your contribution: What did you personally do?
- Scope: Who or what was involved?
- Outcome: What changed, and how do you know?
You do not need a dramatic success story. Clear evidence of dependable work can be useful. If you need help finding examples, read our guide to writing resume achievements.
A practical example of preparation notes
The following is an illustrative example, not a client result:
“In my reception role, follow-up calls were recorded in different places. I created a shared call-back list and checked outstanding enquiries at the end of each shift. This gave the next receptionist a clear handover. I do not have a measured reduction in missed calls.”
Those notes explain the action and its purpose without inventing a percentage. If you do have a verified measure, record the timeframe and where the figure came from. Distinguish your own contribution from a wider team’s result.
4. Identify what needs explanation
Working with a resume writer gives you a chance to explain the parts of your history that are difficult to describe. You might be moving from self-employment to an employed role, translating overseas experience, returning after a career break or applying outside your usual industry.
Write down what you want the reader to understand. For example: “My title was office assistant, but I also coordinated supplier bookings and prepared the weekly roster.” Concrete detail helps explain the experience behind a title. Keep official titles and qualifications accurate.
5. Bring application instructions and your deadline
Save any instructions about document length, file format, selection criteria, cover letters or supporting statements. Make a note of the closing date and the documents you already have. Ask which items are included in the service before work begins, and allow time to check the draft.
Your contact details and any professional profile link should also be current. Share relevant information through the writer’s agreed process, and remove confidential customer or employer details from supporting examples.
Your checklist for working with a resume writer
Copy these prompts into a document and add short answers:
- Target: My preferred roles, industry and level are…
- Advertisements: These roles show the work I want…
- History: My current resume needs these updates…
- Evidence: Three examples I can explain are…
- Context: The career change or background I need to clarify is…
- Practical details: My deadline and required documents are…
- Questions: These dates, figures or service details need checking…
What if you have very little prepared?
Start with what you know. A target role and a rough employment timeline are enough to begin organising your thoughts. If you have limited paid experience, consider relevant study projects, placements, volunteering or community responsibilities. Describe what you actually did and the skills it required.
If you are ready for help turning those notes into a focused application document, explore our resume writing service and discuss your next role with Resumes Done Right.
