While I’m proud of my credentials and nearly 20 years of experience as a resume writer (scroll down to read about that), what sets me apart is that I’m not really a writer. I’m an analyst. I’ve been in writing-focused roles for nearly three decades, but what makes me great at what I do is that I don’t focus on the words—I focus on the message.

I began my career as a translator and analyst in the US Air Force. (Fellow veterans, I can understand EPRs, OERs, etc. I got you!) My job involved taking massive amounts of raw information, cutting through the clutter, pulling out the crucial pieces, and communicating a message in a way that supports decision making. And that’s exactly how I approach resumes.

Effective resume writing isn’t about good grammar (I have it!) or page design (I do that too!)—those are just minimum standards. And nowadays, AI tools can accomplish that in a matter of seconds. What I do is take the time to really understand you and your career. Then, I tell your story—in resumes, CVs, LinkedIn profiles, bios, letters, and other content—in a way that presents the best picture of your candidacy.

I feel my unique approach is what sets me apart, but I have the credentials and experience to back it up. A few highlights over the last 18 years:

• Earned six certifications (NCOPE, CERM, CJSS, ACRW, NCRW, CPRW) through five different associations (NRWA, CDI, The Academies, RWA, PARW-CC)
• Selected to serve as an Instructor/Grader with the Resume Writing Academy’s flagship training program
• Chaired the NRWA’s Certification Commission for the NCRW credential
• Invited to submit samples for several publications, including Resumes for Dummies, Cover Letters for Dummies, Gallery of Best Resumes, Modernize your Resume, and more

No. While most of my clients are in the US or Canada, I regularly work with clients across the globe, including Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and the Middle East.

No. Having read that, you can move on to the next FAQ, or keep reading to understand why. I used to have a team because that’s the standard growth model for businesses in my field: expand so you can serve as many clients as possible. I tried it, and it wasn’t for me. My clients come to me because of my unique approach. With 5 subcontractors, they were getting 5 different approaches. I insist on handling every interaction, writing every word, taking every phone call, and responding to every email. When you hire me, you get me.

Yes! In fact, my entire process is built around the assumption that you haven’t paid much attention to your career communication pieces. While my clients all have long careers, I’m usually their first resume writer. They have either been promoted within the same organization or repeatedly recruited to new companies. If they have a resume at all, it’s a bare-bones document that was thrown together for HR.

I could include a lot of acronyms after my name! They include NCOPE, CERM, CJSS, ACRW, NCRW, and CPRW. These are certifications through various organizations and associations in the career services industry. Other than the NCOPE (LinkedIn), I earned these certifications 10-20 years ago, and it was great early training on best practices for resume writing and job search strategies. Requirements for these certifications vary widely. While I am proud of my credentials, I’m much more proud of how I’ve leveraged this training—and continue to build on it—to create modern and effective content for my clients.

After our introductory call (schedule here), I will send you a quote, samples, and more information to review. When you’re ready to get started, you can accept the quote, approve the terms, and pay your invoice. After that, I will send you a (very short) worksheet and a link to schedule a 1-hour phone call. The worksheet does not ask you to document every job you’ve ever had or make a list of your responsibilities. (I know you’re busy!) I’m just looking for some foundational information (top 3 achievements, top skills, etc.) so I can prepare for our call. Once we have that phone call, my standard turnaround is 5–7 business days, but this can vary depending on the scope of our work together and your specific needs. Once I send you the document(s), we’ll work together on any revisions and finalize your document(s).

Start to finish, the process typically takes 2–3 weeks but this varies based on my availability, your availability, and the scope of our work together. I am able to handle quick turnarounds in some situations, but we’ll need to discuss your timeline before we get started.

The short answer is “no.” I’ve tested a few AI tools because I’m very excited about the potential of this technology, but it’s just not there (yet). The content that tools like ChatGPT creates is not appropriate for executive-level resumes, bios, and other pieces. Even when it’s accurate, the content is generic and not written in the right tone. There’s no nuance or solid strategy behind it. It doesn’t account for how the content may be perceived by your audience.

The first step is to schedule an introductory phone call at https://www.michelleswanson.com/contact-us/. I don’t offer a one-size-fits-all approach, so it’s very important that we talk first to see if we’re a good fit. This benefits both of us. You get to make sure I’m the best writer for you and can help you reach your goals. And I get to make sure…well, that I’m the best writer for you and can help you reach your goals! My business is nearly entirely based on referrals from past clients, so if I can’t help you, I don’t want to work with you. I want everyone I work with to rave about my services—it’s how I’ve run my business for nearly 20 years. If I feel like you won’t find tremendous value in what I do, I will refer you to another writer who will be a better fit.

Confidentiality and discretion are very important to my clients, so I don’t provide references. However, you can find public recommendations on my LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-swanson.