Frequently Asked Questions

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In-person or virtual consultations are not required. However, if you are interested in receiving a consultation, please contact us.

We have streamlined our process to save clients time while ensuring we gather all the necessary information to create your documents. Our efficient system allows you to provide the details we need without the need for a face-to-face meeting. View the next question to understand our process in detail.

 We've made the process for each service easy and streamlined because we truly value your time! 

In case you don't see a process outlined below for a particular service you're interested in, feel free to reach out to us via text, phone, or email, and we'll be more than happy to explain our process to you.

For Our Most Common Services: 

Once you've submitted your order, expect to receive two emails within a few moments. The first email will serve as an order confirmation. The second email, labeled "Next Steps," will be your guide. In this email, you'll find access to relevant questionnaires that will help us process your order efficiently. Additionally, it will outline the next steps and provide you with an overview of the expectations ahead (which are listed below for our most common services).

Resumes/Cover Letters:

1. You will receive a rough draft on or around the timeframe you select on the order form. Turnaround time varies by workload at the time of order submission. General turnaround is 5-10 business days. Rush options for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours are available under the "Add On Services" section of the order form.
2. ​You will have the opportunity to review the draft and suggest changes.
3. Once you approve the rough draft, you will receive a PDF and Word file of the final document(s). 

"Apply 4 U" Service:  - You will be provided a questionnaire via email to fill out once you submit your order. Your job applications will be completed within the time frame selected on your order form (either 5 business days or 10 business days). After each job application is completed, we will send you an email notifying you of the position applied for as well as the link, login credentials, and any other pertinent information.  

LinkedIn Profile Optimization:  

1. Once we receive your completed LinkedIn questionnaire, we will begin working on your LinkedIn profile.
2. Turnaround times vary by workload at the time of order submission. During the order submission process, you will have the opportunity to select an available time/date you would like your LinkedIn profile to be completed. 
3. We will notify you once your LinkedIn profile is complete. We will also provide you with a strategy document offering professional tips for getting the best results on LinkedIn. 

Mock Interview & Coaching: After you make your purchase, you will be emailed a "Next Steps" email that gives you access to the Mock Interview & Coaching questionnaire. Within 1 business day after you have submitted the questionnaire, you will receive an email and/or text to schedule your session.  

Ghost Writing Services:  

1. You will receive a rough draft within the time frame you selected for your order. Rush options are available.
2. ​You will have the opportunity to review the draft and suggest changes.
3. Once you approve the final draft, you will receive a Word file of your final document.

Our typical turnaround time for resume services is 5 to 10 business days. However, if you need your document(s), sooner, we offer rush options to accommodate tighter deadlines. Please see the next question for details on our rush options. 

Yes,  we understand that sometimes you need your documents in a hurry. To accommodate urgent requests, we offer three convenient rush options: 

1. 24-Hr Rush: Receive your documents within 24 hours.
2. 48-Hr Rush: Get your documents delivered within 48 hours.
3. 72-Hr Rush: Receive your documents within 72 hours.

These rush options can be selected under the "Add-On Services" section of the order form. Please note that any rush orders submitted after 5 p.m. will be processed on the following day. We strive to provide flexibility to meet your specific timeline needs. 

Yes,  we offer two payment plan options. 

Option 1 - PayPal's Pay in 4:

PayPal offers the Pay in 4 option.  Pay in 4 allows you to buy now and pay later, all without interest by splitting your payment into four biweekly or monthly payments. It is subject to approval by PayPal (soft credit pull). Learn more about it here. To apply for Pay in 4, just select "Pay Later" at checkout after you place your order here. Opting for this choice ensures immediate order processing. 

Option 2 - Pretty.Flex: 

Pretty.Flex is our in-house payment plan. It allows you to split the total cost into four smaller, more manageable payments (weekly or biweekly). Please note that for services tied to this payment plan, delivery will occur after the final payment has been successfully processed. 

Yes, we ensure the resume will be read by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)  by choosing the appropriate file type (.pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt, etc.),  proper formatting, etc. 

This is a great opportunity for us to shed light on the reality of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how each functions during the hiring process. 

What is an ATS and how does it work?  An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software application used by employers to manage the recruitment process. ATS systems like Lever, Greenhouse, Workable, Taleo, and others primarily serve as databases to store and manage candidate information. 

There's a prevailing misconception that an ATS functions as the sole decision-maker in candidate selection, but this isn't the case (generally speaking).

While ATSs are instrumental in organizing resumes and applications, they are not autonomous decision-makers in the hiring process. The ultimate assessment of a candidate's qualifications and fit for a role still rests on human evaluation and judgment.

It's important to understand that many articles and websites mimic ATS functionalities by providing resume scanning tools that generate 'scores' based on keyword matches from job descriptions. These services offer a simplified analysis based on keyword matching but do not reflect how real ATS systems operate within companies.

Real ATS systems do perform keyword matching to a certain extent, but they are far more complex and multifaceted in their evaluation of candidates. They consider various factors beyond keyword frequency, such as context, experience, skills, and qualifications.

These free resume-scanning tools do not accurately replicate the intricate decision-making processes of genuine ATS systems used by employers. The use of a simple scoring system based on keyword matching is not the industry standard for hiring. Instead, the decision-making process involves a comprehensive review by recruiters or hiring managers who assess a candidate's complete profile, experience, and suitability for the role.

In essence, an ATS is a tool for organizing and managing candidate information. However, the critical evaluation of a candidate's suitability for a role remains a human-driven process that goes beyond keyword matching. We are here to guide you through this process and ensure your resume represents your qualifications accurately for human review.

Formatting & ATS:  

In the past, there has been a prevalent fear among job seekers regarding the use of colors and formatting in their resumes due to concerns about the application tracking system (ATS) compatibility. Many individuals worried that these visually-enhanced elements might cause their resumes to be unreadable or misinterpreted by the ATS, potentially hindering their chances of being selected for a job interview.

However, it's important to note that technology and ATS systems have significantly evolved in recent years. Most modern ATS systems are designed to handle various formats and can effectively read and interpret content, even when it includes colors and specific formatting choices. They've become more sophisticated and are capable of parsing through different design elements to extract and analyze relevant information.

While it's true that some older or less advanced ATS systems might still struggle with certain formatting aspects, the majority of contemporary ATS software can accommodate various design elements without affecting the readability or parsing of the content.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruiting process:  Some employers (not all) use certain recruiting platforms (e.g. ADP) that may refer to an applicant's Candidate Relevancy or Profile Relevance score. According to ADP,  Candidate Relevancy and Profile Relevance rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide an initial comparison of an applicant’s education, experience, and skills against the education, experience, and skills requirements in the job description. This is intended to be one of many factors that a potential employer will review in making its interview decisions; there are no cut-off scores and all applications remain visible to employers.  Candidates have the choice to opt-out during the application process. For those who do, their score will be shown as "not available."

Similar to ATS, Candidate Relevancy is not intended to replace human judgment during any step of the recruitment process and is designed in such a way that there are no cut-off scores that would eliminate applicants from being visible to employers in the user interface. Employers are provided access to all applications, enabling them to make human decisions on which candidates to pursue.   

 Working with a professional resume writing service helps you find jobs faster. A professionally written, simply formatted resume and cover letter make you more valuable and appealing to recruiters. 

Great question!  Here at Pretty Resumes, we actually focus on improving the content of your resume, while resume builders are meant to improve the design and looks of your resume by offering different resume templates to choose from (generally speaking).

If you need help with writing the actual content of your resume, a resume builder won’t be able to help, but we can!

For resumes, cover letters, etc., you will receive two versions of your documents—PDF and Word formats—via email. The PDF version is ideal for sharing and job applications, preserving the formatting. The Word version allows for easy edits if needed in the future.

Absolutely! You'll have the opportunity to review a draft of your resume/cover letter before we deliver the final product. This ensures that the document aligns perfectly with your preferences and expectations.

No, we do not offer formatting-only services. Here’s why:
 

1. Superficial Changes: Formatting alone does not address deeper issues in content and structure. Effective resumes need both clear formatting and compelling, relevant content to make an impact.
2. Accuracy and Consistency: Formatting-only services can overlook critical inconsistencies, errors, and areas needing improvement in your resume's content. These issues can affect the overall quality and professionalism of your document.
3. Comprehensive Review: Our services provide a complete review, focusing on both the appearance and substance of your resume. This thorough approach ensures that your resume is not only well-formatted but also strategically crafted to meet industry standards and job market expectations.
4. Enhanced Value: A full-service review optimizes every aspect of your resume, from formatting and content to structure and keyword alignment, ensuring you present yourself in the best possible light to potential employers.

We believe that a comprehensive approach offers the best value and results, and we recommend it for creating the most effective resume.

 At Pretty Resumes, we understand the importance of creating visually appealing resumes that effectively communicate your professional qualifications and personal brand. While our name may evoke notions of floral designs or vibrant colors, we want to assure you that our approach to resume writing is tailored to suit industry standards and individual preferences.

Our priority is to provide clean, attractive layouts that enhance readability and highlight key information. We recognize that different industries and career paths may require varying degrees of creativity and color usage in resumes. Therefore, our team of experts carefully considers industry norms and client preferences when crafting each resume.

While we do advocate for the use of tasteful design elements and a splash of color where appropriate, we always prioritize professionalism and effectiveness in our resume designs. Whether you're pursuing a career in a traditional field or a creative industry, we strive to create resumes that make a lasting impression and help you achieve your career goals.

Yes, we do! We also offer ghostwriting services. View our ghostwriting services here under the section titled General Writing Services. 

Ghost Writing Services (incl. but not limited to):

- E-book

- Company Biography

- Business Proposal

- One-Pager/One-Sheet

- Motivation Letter
- Letter of Recommendation
- Letter of Intent
- Thank You Letter
- Motivation Letter
- Personal Letter

- & More

If you are interested in seeing some of our work, please contact us here.  It's important to note that the layouts and content are customizable to best suit your specific industry, level, and unique requirements. We tailor our approach to ensure that your documents effectively represent your individual strengths and career goals. 

All sales are final and no refunds are permitted. However, if for some reason there is a problem with your order, please email us at info@prettyresumes.com.