
If you’re hunting for a job in 2025, your resume is still your frontline weapon. AI tools might be changing the hiring process, but a compelling, well-structured resume – crafted by professionals – still makes all the difference. Whether you’re fresh out of uni or gunning for the C-suite, a resume writing service can be a game-changer.
I’ve tested dozens of services, reviewed customer experiences, and read between the lines of real outcomes. This guide covers the best resume writing services for 2025, their pricing, pros, cons, and who they’re best suited for. I’ve learned that they are not all the same, and price is not always the best measure to go by (believe me, I’ve felt the pain of using that as my decision point!)
Let’s get you noticed.
Why Use a Resume Writing Service in 2025?
With so many AI resume builders out there, why would you still need a human? Here’s why:
- ATS optimization: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are getting smarter, and they know when you’ve just used ChatGPT or a resume template. A professional writer ensures your resume doesn’t get binned at step one.
- Tone, style, and impact: Machines struggle with subtlety. A good writer understands how to thread confidence into a document without arrogance.
- Tailored storytelling: You’re not just listing experience. You’re telling a story of value, and a good service can shape that narrative better than any template.
Why Am I Such An Authority On This Subject?
Years and years of experience, many knock-backs, and a scientific approach have helped me fundamentally understand how to create a resume, and what to expect from a service that will do this for you. The best resume writing services have more experience and know-how to draw upon than I do, and when they can produce a better result for me than I can do, then I know I am on to a winner.
I have personally tested every service I list below, and many more that I won’t mention, because many of them were crap, and not worth wasting your time with.
Quick Comparison Table: Best Resume Writing Services 2025
Service Name | Best For | Starting Price | Turnaround | Includes Cover Letter | LinkedIn Help |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TopResume | Budget users | Free eval, $149+ | 7 days | No (add-on) | Yes |
ZipJob | ATS-Optimized resumes | $139+ | 3–7 days | Yes | Yes |
Let’s Eat, Grandma | Personalised service | $439+ | 7–10 days | Yes | Yes |
The Muse | Mentoring included | $199+ | 5–7 days | Yes | No |
ResumeSpice | Executive-level jobs | $479+ | 2–3 days | Yes | Yes |
Fiverr Pro | Freelancers & variety | Varies | 1–5 days | Often | Sometimes |
Indeed | Free basic resume builder | Free | Instant | No | No |
CareerPerfect | Government jobs | $199+ | 3–5 days | Yes | Yes |
1. TopResume – Best for Budget-Friendly Help
Website: https://www.topresume.com
TopResume is still one of the most accessible options out there. Their free resume critique is a great way to dip your toe in before spending any money. It’s great for people early in their careers or those needing a refresh without going deep into their pockets.
Pros:
- Free critique available
- Affordable entry-level pricing
- Options to bundle with cover letter and LinkedIn
Cons:
- Writers are outsourced; quality can vary
- Customer support isn’t always fast
Verdict:
If you want to test the waters, TopResume is a safe bet. Just don’t expect white-glove service! (Although, in my experience, it is still solid enough.)
2. ZipJob – Best for Beating the Pesky Bots
Website: https://www.zipjob.com
ZipJob is focused on ATS compatibility, which is crucial in 2025 as most big companies filter out resumes with non-optimized formatting or keywords. I have a friend who is a senior exec in a major recruiting company, and he tells me that this is very important. They test every resume through ATS before sending it to you.
Pros:
- Guaranteed to pass ATS filters
- Up to three revisions
- Affordable pricing
Cons:
- Template design is a bit boring
- No voice or video consultation included
Verdict:
Use ZipJob if your resume needs to cut through HR software and get seen by actual people.
3. Let’s Eat, Grandma – Best for Personal Touch
Website: https://www.letseatgrandma.com
Cheesy name, brilliant service. Get over the name. This company has grown steadily and is known for one-on-one consultations with U.S.-based writers. They spend time understanding your career journey and goals.
Pros:
- Personal consultation included
- Beautiful formatting and layouts
- Great for career changes
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Slower turnaround
Verdict:
If you want someone to craft your story with care, this is your go-to. Just don’t go on about the name.
4. The Muse – Best for Coaching + Resume
Website: https://www.themuse.com
This service is unique because you can pick your resume writer like a coach. Their marketplace lets you browse professionals and view their bios, experience, and pricing.
Pros:
- Personalized selection of writers
- Career coaching options
- Transparent profiles
Cons:
- Can be pricey depending on writer
- Not as automated or fast
Verdict:
A great service for those who want mentoring alongside resume support. Especially good for early-career pros or job switchers.
5. ResumeSpice – Best for Executives
Website: https://www.resumespice.com
Founded by recruiters, ResumeSpice is one of the most premium services out there. If you’re applying for six-figure roles or leadership positions, this is for you.
Pros:
- Phone consultation with experts
- High-end formatting
- Industry-specific language
Cons:
- Expensive (but you get what you pay for)
- Not ideal for recent grads – you should look elsewhere
Verdict:
Great for executives, consultants, or thought leaders needing high-impact documents.
6. Fiverr Pro – Best for Variety and Speed
Website: Fiverr Resume Services
Fiverr Pro is a wildcard, but a powerful one. The resume writing category is full of top-rated freelancers offering everything from budget resumes to premium CVs.
Pros:
- You can choose your writer
- Fast turnaround (as quick as 24 hrs)
- Options for every budget
- Differentiated result
Cons:
- Quality varies; check reviews carefully
- No standardisation of format or guarantee
Verdict:
Great if you’re comfortable navigating a freelancer marketplace and need a resume fast – or on a specific budget.
7. Indeed – Best Free Resume Tool
Website: https://www.indeed.com/resume
Indeed’s free resume builder is bare-bones, but it’s clean and works perfectly for uploading into their own job portal.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Compatible with Indeed’s ATS
- Clean and simple layout
Cons:
- Very basic design
- No customization or personal feedback
Verdict:
Perfect if you’re uploading straight to Indeed’s job listings, but it won’t impress a human reader.
8. CareerPerfect – Best for Federal & Government Roles
Website: https://www.careerperfect.com
CareerPerfect has been around for decades. Their resume writers are well-versed in government formats and federal job applications, which are notoriously tricky.
Pros:
- Strong experience with USAJobs
- Options for civilian and federal resumes
- Interview coaching available
Cons:
- Interface feels dated (if you care about that…?)
- Premium packages aren’t cheap
Verdict:
Your best option if you’re aiming for public sector employment or federal contractor positions.
What About AI Resume Builders?
Yes, AI tools like Rezi, Resume.io, and even ChatGPT are useful. They’re fast, cheap (or free), and increasingly sophisticated. But they also lack nuance and often overinflate or underplay achievements.
An AI might list your duties. A human writer emphasises your impact.
For example:
AI version: Managed a sales team of 12 people
Pro writer version: Led a 12-person sales team to deliver 132% of annual target, increasing territory revenue by $2.3M within 9 months
Spot the difference? That’s what you’re paying for.
What to Look For in a Resume Writing Service
If you’re investing your money, these are non-negotiables:
- ATS Optimization
- Industry-specific experience
- Phone or Zoom consultation (not just forms)
- Multiple revisions included
- Portfolio or samples of previous work
- Strong verified reviews on third-party platforms
Red Flags to Avoid
- No real human contact: If you never speak with anyone, it’s likely a churn-and-burn operation.
- Unverified reviews: Especially if all reviews are only on their site.
- No revision policy: You should be able to ask for changes, within reason.
- Suspiciously low prices: £20 or $25 resumes won’t cut it in 2025. You’re either employing some poor sap in a sweat-shop, or more likely, ChatGPT is hard at work on your behalf.
Real World Tip: Use the Resume as a Base
Once you get a professionally crafted resume, you don’t have to buy another every time. Use it as a master version and tailor it slightly for each application. Make sure it matches the job description and includes the keywords relevant to each role.
Need a second opinion? Some resume services offer free updates within 60–90 days, which is handy if you’re on a job hunt stretch.
Does It Really Work?
Yes, it does. A study from Zety found that candidates who used professionally written resumes were:
- 38% more likely to be contacted
- 31% more likely to land an interview
- 40% more likely to get the job
Pro Tip: Pair With a Killer LinkedIn Profile
Your resume and LinkedIn should echo each other, but not be identical. A good resume writing service will help update your LinkedIn too – or use Fiverr for this if you want to save cash: Get LinkedIn help on Fiverr
Which Service Is Right for You?
Career Stage | Recommended Service |
---|---|
Student/Grad | TopResume, Indeed |
Entry-Level | ZipJob, The Muse |
Mid-Career | Let’s Eat Grandma |
Exec/Director | ResumeSpice |
Changing Industries | Let’s Eat Grandma, The Muse |
Government Jobs | CareerPerfect |
Budget/Fast Turnaround | Fiverr Pro |
Final Thoughts: Invest Once, Reap for Years
A good resume is an investment that pays off for years. Whether you spend £100 or £500, what you’re really buying is credibility, visibility, and confidence. It’s the difference between being ignored and being shortlisted.
Remember: you are not your resume – but it gets you in the room. Make it count.
Let 2025 be the year you land the role you deserve.
I totally get why resumes are still so important . It’s like, no matter how advanced AI gets, there’s something about the human touch that makes a resume stand out. I might give TopResume a try since I’m just starting out and don’t want to break the bank.
Honestly, I’ve always been skeptical about paying for resume services, but after reading this, I think it might be worth it for me. The whole ATS thing is super intimidating I feel. Might check out ZipJob because I’ve heard getting past those systems is half the battle.
LOL at ‘Let’s Eat, Grandma’! What a name! But if they’re as good as you say with personal consultations, I might have to look past it. Changing industries soon and I need all the help I can get.
Yes the name is interesting but great service. Good luck with your career move!
Fiverr Pro sounds interesting but kind of risky yes? Has anyone here tried it before? I’m curious if picking your own writer is actually helpful or just another hassle.
Yes I have tried it. The risk is in choosing an unverified supplier or one with low experience. Don’t go on price. There are some very experienced and qualified people on there too.
Wow, didn’t realize there were so many options out there for resume writing services! This was super help-ful. I’m leaning towards The Muse because having someone to coach me through my job switch would be awesome. But ZipJob sounds great too I reckon
Coaches are important if you feel you are on a journey to get to your best resume. Hope it goes well.
“Invest once, reap for years”—love that line! It’s true though; spending on a good resume now can save so much headaches later. Considering ResumeSpice or Letseatgrandma for some top-level positions I’m eyeing up.
Hope they work out for you. Drop a comment once you have given them a try.
Indeed’s free tool seems like an easy first step if you’re unsure about investing money straight away. Great advise for someone like me who’s just updating their resume after many many years.
Good luck in your next role – you’re never too old and it’s great that you’re embracing these tools for assistance.