You ever try writing your own resume and feel like you’re attempting to summarize your entire existence in one page? Because, same. It’s like trying to fit an entire season of your favorite TV show into a 30-second trailer—you want to highlight the best parts, but somehow everything just ends up feeling… meh. I used to sit there, staring at my computer screen, moving bullet points around like some kind of word puzzle champion, but no matter what I did, my resume just felt lifeless. That’s when I started looking into professional resume writing services.
At first, I thought, “Why would I pay someone to write about me when I am me?” But then I remembered that just because I know myself doesn’t mean I know how to make myself look impressive on paper. Kind of like how you can be a great cook but still mess up plating your dish so it looks like a crime scene.

And of course, there’s a huge range of resume writing services out there—from super expensive executive-level ones that cost as much as rent to budget-friendly options that make you wonder if an AI bot is doing the work. So, are cheap resume writing services a good idea, or are they just a waste of time? Let’s break it down.

The Upside: Why Budget-friendly Resume Writing Services Might Be Worth It

1. They Won’t Drain Your Bank Account

Look, not everyone has hundreds of dollars to drop on a resume. If you’re fresh out of college, switching careers, or just trying to get a foot in the door, an affordable resume service can be a lifesaver. A basic, well-structured resume is still better than one that looks like it was thrown together in five minutes.

1. You Save Time (And Stress)

Writing a resume is hard. It’s basically a high-stakes sales pitch where you are both the product and the salesperson. If staring at a blank document for hours makes you want to scream, outsourcing the task to someone who does this for a living can be a huge relief. Instead of agonizing over every word, you get a polished draft without the headache.

1. Some of Them Are Actually Pretty Good

Not all cheap resume services are bad. Some freelance writers and small businesses offer affordable prices simply because they’re new to the game or operate in regions with lower costs. If you do a little digging—read reviews, check samples—you might find a hidden gem that delivers a quality resume without charging an arm and a leg.

1. Better Than Submitting a Terrible Resume

Let’s be honest, even a mediocre professionally written resume is better than a DIY resume that’s riddled with formatting errors, weird phrasing, or—heaven forbid—a typo in your own name (it happens). If your current resume looks like a 10-year-old made it in Microsoft Word, a budget-friendly service can at least get you to a more professional starting point.

The Downside: Why Cheap Might Not Mean Good

1. You Get What You Pay For

If you’ve ever ordered a $5 gadget online and had it arrive looking nothing like the picture, you know the risk of bargain shopping. Some cheap resume services mass-produce resumes using generic templates with minimal customization. If your resume looks exactly like the one they just sent to a hundred other clients, that’s a problem.

1. Limited Personalization

A good resume tells your story, not just a generic one. Many low-cost services won’t take the time to tailor your resume to highlight your strengths. If they don’t ask questions about your experience, goals, or industry, chances are they’re just plugging your info into a template and calling it a day.

1. They Might Not Understand ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)

If your resume isn’t optimized for ATS software (the thing that scans resumes before a human ever sees them), you might never even make it to the interview stage. High-quality resume writers know how to use keywords and formatting tricks to get past these filters. Budget services? Not always.

1. Potential Hidden Fees

Some cheap services lure you in with a low price, only to hit you with extra charges for revisions, cover letters, or even basic formatting adjustments. By the time you’ve paid for everything you actually need, you could’ve just gone with a higher-quality service from the start.

1. Possible Errors and Poor Writing

Nothing screams “don’t hire me” like a resume full of typos, awkward sentences, or inconsistent formatting. Some cheap resume services outsource their work to non-native English speakers or use AI-generated text that ends up sounding robotic. If you’re applying for a serious job, the last thing you want is a resume that makes recruiters cringe.

So, Should You Use a Cheap Resume Writing Service?

Honestly? It depends on your situation. If you’re on a budget and need a resume fast, a low-cost service might be worth it—if you do your research and choose wisely. Look at reviews, ask for samples, and be cautious of anything that seems too cheap (because chances are, it’s cutting corners somewhere).

But if you’re applying for competitive jobs, transitioning into a new industry, or aiming for a big salary bump, investing in a well-crafted resume from an experienced writer is probably the smarter move. A well-done resume can make a huge difference in getting interviews, and ultimately, landing the job you want.

Here’s my best advice: if you go the cheap route, at least take the time to review and tweak the resume before sending it out. Make sure it actually represents you and isn’t just a fill-in-the-blank template. A little personalization goes a long way.

And hey, worst-case scenario? You’ll have a fun story about the time you paid $20 for a resume and got one back that listed “excellent communacation skillz” as a strength. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that.