Welcome to resumeSTORY.builders My name is Leah Derus. I’m an MIT Sloan MBA who has been working with professionals since 2009. There are no tricks, shortcuts, or secret handshakes for building a successful career. What works is careful planning, identifying the right roles and developing a compelling professional narrative – and that happens to be my speciality. In addition to services like mock interviews or hourly advising, I specialize in story-based resume writing and bespoke cover letters. If you’d like to discuss your goals, please reach out for a free consultation.

 

 

 

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Story-Based Resume

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$300-800

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The Story-based Resume Service is a complete resume rewrite. It includes a) fresh, story-based content and bullet points and b) the Fresh Resume Design Service (a new resume design and a rethinking of your resume’s layout/structure). The Story-based Resume is pretty simple. It fits on one page (sometimes 1.25 pages). Its structure lays out your overarching professional story. Its bullet points tell more granular, behavioral stories.

$300 STUDENT resume rewrite (based on a brainstorming document + 1 hour on the phone developing your stories)  | ELIGIBILITY: current students and recent grads (undergrad or graduate) with less than <6 months of professional work experience
$400 STANDARD resume rewrite (based on a brainstorming document + 1 hour on the phone developing your stories) | RECOMMENDED FOR: people with less than <6 years of work experience OR who are targeting roles that pay less than <$80k
$800 EXTENDED resume rewrite (based on a brainstorming document + 3 hours on the phone developing your stories) | RECOMMENDED FOR: people with more than 6> years of work experience OR who are targeting roles that pay more than $80k>


During interviews, it’s common for resumeSTORY.builders clients to hear, ‘This is the best resume I’ve ever seen’. Maybe you’ll agree after perusing these before & after resume examples.

The purpose of a resume is to secure you an interview. The purpose of an interview is for recruiters, line managers and executives to gain insight into a) your interpersonal skills, b) your ability to lead/persuade others, c) how you think and tackle issues (your cognitive abilities) and d) your capacity to think laterally/creatively and finally e) whether you’ll add value to their team or organization. The great thing about a story-based resume is that, even before you set foot in the interview, the resume has already given the reader insight into points a→e. That makes the decision to interview you an easy one.

Consider a story-based resume if:

  1. You’d like to land more interviews. Hiring managers want to know how a candidate thinks and acts. Normally they have to invest time in interviewing a candidate to get answers to their questions. With a story-based resume, hiring managers glean answers to their fundamental questions up front (by reading your resume!). That makes the decision to interview you an easy one.
  2. You’ll perform better in interview. Talking through your stories with your consultant will help you better articulate them when the pressure is on. Many clients find that seeing their stories filtered through the lens of an outside observer and rendered on paper allows them to view their career from the outside→in for the first time.
  3. You need a resume that goes on impressing stakeholders once you’ve left the interview. Not everyone who weighs in on hiring decisions will have a chance to meet you in person (and not everyone who interviews you will remember the conversation in detail days or weeks later). The story-based resume looks good, reads well and stands out because it’s built using relatable stories rather than mindless buzzwords or job description excerpts.


Please take a moment to review some before & after resumes from past clients.

Deliverable: The Story-based Resume Service includes a) fresh, story-based content and bullet points and b) the Fresh Resume Design Service (a new resume design and a rethinking of your resume’s layout/structure). Story-based resumes are between 1 and 1.25 pages long with 90% being 1-page long. At the end of this service you’ll receive a PDF version of your resume as well as a modular Word document which you can edit and build on in the future.

Process: Client emails consultant: Current resume, 3 job postings (optional) and their completed brainstorming document (optional) → STUDENT/STANDARD resume (1 hour on phone) EXTENDED resume = 3 hours on phone → 1st Resume Draft → Feedback → Subsequent Resume Edits

[raw]Prior to your resume call, you’ll email your consultant a maximum of three job postings that you’re interested in (optional). You’ll also receive and complete a brainstorming document. Depending on the service you choose (STUDENT/STANDARD or EXTENDED) you’ll spend between one and three hours on the phone with your consultant going over your career, education, community involvement and personal interests. After the second call, you’ll receive the first draft of your story-based resume. The first draft will feature fresh story-based content/bullet points, a new design and an improved structure/layout. You’ll review the first draft and make any comments or changes using the track change functionality in Word. Depending on your feedback, either additional edits to your resume will follow or a phone call will be set up to discuss questions and concerns. The process continues until everyone is 100% satisfied. (Accommodations available for clients with dyslexia).

 

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Turnaround Time: Each service contains several deliverables. The turnaround time for any one deliverable (like new edits to a document based on client feedback) is a maximum of two business days (see the FAQs for more information). Total turnaround time is a function of a) the client’s availability to schedule calls and b) the amount of time the client requires to complete the brainstorming document or provide feedback on resume drafts. A typical timeline follows.

  • Day 1: Client receives the brainstorming document.
  • Day 3: Client returns the brainstorming document and shares their current resume and a maximum of three job postings with their consultant (optional).
  • Day 4: Resume Call #1 (STUDENT/STANDARD and EXTENDED resume rewrite)
  • Days 5-6: Client’s resume is partially drafted based on Call #1
  • Day 7: Resume Call #2 (EXTENDED resume rewrite only)
  • Day 9: Client receives a first draft of their resume.
  • Days 10-13: Client spends some time reviewing the resume – possibly sharing it with a few contacts. Client uses the track change functionality in Word to insert comments, feedback and changes into the document.
  • Day 14: Client’s feedback is received. Either a call will be scheduled in the next day or two or the client will receive an updated resume draft based on their feedback.
  • Day 15+: Additional rounds of review and resume drafting as necessary. Generally though, resumes are completed after one or two rounds.

[gviewer width=”3000px;” file=”https://resumestory.builders/wp-content/uploads/Healthcare-Consultant-Story-based-Resume-Before-After-Resume.pdf”]


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Story-Based Resume Update

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$175-475

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If you have an otherwise strong resume, then a story-based resume update is a good choice when a) you’d like story-based bullet points created for your most recent role or b) you’d like to rework a section of your resume that isn’t quite up to par.

Resume updates are best suited to clients who already have a great resume and would simply like to add their most recent work experience. If you would like (or if you really need) to update all aspects of your resume (from your college years to present) it’s likely that you would be best served with the Story-based Resume Service (a full resume rewrite) rather than an update. If, on the other hand, your resume has great content but just looks dated or not very ‘pretty’ then consider the Fresh Resume Design Service.

Deliverable: A story-based resume update produces fresh, story-based content for your resume. Clients can choose from one of the following options: $175: 45-minute content call (produces about 4 two-line bullet points); $325: 1.5-hour content call (produces about 8 two-line bullet points); $475: 2.25-hour content call (produces about 12 two-line bullet points).

Process: Client emails consultant: Current resume and their completed brainstorming document (optional) → Phone Call (ranging from 45 minutes to 2.25 hours) → 1st Draft of New Bullet Points → Feedback → Subsequent Edits

[raw]Prior to the resume update call, you’ll also receive and complete a brainstorming document (optional). Your consultant will spend between 45 minutes and 2.25 hours (that’s 2 hours 15 minutes) on the phone with you going over the portion of your career, education or community involvement that you would like updated. After the call, you’ll receive the first draft of your resume with updated story-based bullet points. You’ll review the first draft and make any comments or changes using the track change functionality in Word. Depending on your feedback, either additional edits to your bullet points will follow or a phone call will be set up to discuss questions and concerns. The process continues until everyone is 100% satisfied. (Accommodations available for clients with dyslexia).

 

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Turnaround Time: Each service contains several deliverables. The turnaround time for any one deliverable (like new edits to a document based on client feedback) is a maximum of two business days (see the FAQs for more information). Total turnaround time is a function of a) the client’s availability to schedule calls and b) the amount of time the client requires to complete the brainstorming document or provide feedback on bullet point drafts. A typical timeline follows.

  • Day 1: Client receives the brainstorming document (note: completing the brainstorming document is optional)
  • Day 3: Client returns the brainstorming document and shares current resume
  • Day 4: Resume Update Call
  • Day 6: Client receives a first draft of their resume with updated bullet points
  • Days 7-8: Client spends some time reviewing the updated bullet points – possibly sharing it with a few contacts. Client uses the track change functionality in Word to insert comments, feedback and changes into the document
  • Day 9: Client’s feedback is received. Either a call will be scheduled in the next day or two or the client will receive an updated resume draft based on their feedback
  • Day 10+: Additional rounds of review and editing as necessary


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Fresh Resume Design

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$125

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The Fresh Resume Design Service improves the logic and layout of your resume. Logic: The layout and structure of your resume will be analyzed and modified to improve the delivery of your core story. Layout: Your resume will get a new look using our classic but modern resume design.

You’ll benefit from a fresh resume design if the current incarnation of your resume…

  • lists your home address (or features a hotmail.com account),
  • is cluttered,
  • is confusing,
  • uses Times New Roman font everywhere,
  • is organized exclusively around the positions you’ve held (i.e. doesn’t contain any topical logic),
  • is more than 1.5 pages long,
  • features a giant, buzzword-saturated summary at the top,
  • includes references (or any mention of them),
  • is the brainchild of Clippy, the Microsoft Office Paperclip (you know who you are),
  • isn’t landing you any interviews.


Deliverable: The Fresh Resume Design Service includes a) a new resume design, b) a rethinking of your resume’s layout/structure. This service does not include fresh, story-based content/bullet points for your resume (if you need new bullet points, please see our Story-based Resume Service). At the end of this service you’ll receive a PDF version of your resume as well as a modular Word document which you can edit and build on in the future.

Process: Client emails consultant: current resume and some information about their reason for requesting a redesign → 45-minute Phone Call → 1st Draft of Resume Redesign → Feedback → Subsequent Edits

[raw]Prior to your call, you’ll email your consultant your current resume and some information about why you’re requesting a redesign. Next, a 45-minute phone call will be set up so that your consultant can ask questions about your current resume and work history. After the call, you’ll receive the first draft of your redesigned resume. You’ll review the first draft and make any comments or changes using the track change functionality in Word. Depending on your feedback, either additional edits to your bullet points will follow or a phone call will be set up to discuss questions and concerns. The process continues until everyone is 100% satisfied. (Accommodations available for clients with dyslexia).

 

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Turnaround Time: Each service contains several deliverables. The turnaround time for any one deliverable (like new edits to a document based on client feedback) is a maximum of two business days (see the FAQs for more information). Total turnaround time is a function of a) the client’s availability to schedule calls and b) the amount of time the client requires to provide feedback on drafts. A typical timeline follows.

  • Day 1: Client emails their consultant current resume and some information about their reason for requesting a redesign
  • Day 3: Resume Redesign Call
  • Day 5: Client receives a first draft of their resume redesgin
  • Days 6-7: Client spends some time reviewing the resume redesign – possibly sharing it with a few contacts. Client uses the track change functionality in Word to insert comments, feedback and changes into the document.
  • Day 8: Client’s feedback is received. Either a call will be scheduled in the next day or two or the client will receive an updated resume draft based on their feedback.
  • Day 9+: Additional rounds of review and editing as necessary.


[gviewer width=”3000px;” file=”https://resumestory.builders/wp-content/uploads/Fresh-Resume-Design-After-Resume-Before-After-Resume.pdf”]
Client’s Original Resume
[gviewer width=”3000px;” file=”https://resumestory.builders/wp-content/uploads/Fresh-Resume-Design-Original-Resume-Before-After-Resume.pdf”]


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Cover Letter

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$250

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A resume captures a recruiter’s attention. A cover letter solidifies it. A good cover letter conveys your enthusiasm for the organization, connects the dots between your stories and the role you’re applying to and answers ‘obvious questions’ (e.g. ‘Why is this experienced operations professional applying to a marketing position?’). A well written cover letter says,  ‘I’m smart, thoughtful and articulate’.

A lot of people ask, ‘Should I send a cover letter? Is it still necessary? Do hiring managers even read them?’. The answer is: Sometimes it’s necessary and sometimes it’s not. Some hiring managers do and some don’t. The thing is, we can’t know if the hiring manager that happens to receive your application will read your cover letter or not. So it’s impossible to say whether you need to send one or not.

A good cover letter (the sort we write at resumeSTORY.builders) makes a client look smart, thoughtful and articulate. Certainly a cover letter will not hurt your application (unless it’s totally generic, cut and paste – in which case I’d forego it altogether).


Please take a moment to review some before & after cover letters from past clients.

Deliverable: A custom cover letter. Length: 500 words or less. At the end of this service you’ll receive a PDF version of your cover letter as well as a Word document which you can edit and build on in the future.

Process: Client emails consultant: Current resume, 1 job posting and a rough draft or outline for their cover letter → 1.25-hour Phone Call  → 1st Draft of Cover Letter → Feedback → Subsequent Edits

[raw]Prior to your call, you’ll email your consultant the job posting that you would like the cover letter tailored to. You’ll also send your consultant a rough draft or outline for your cover letter. This rudimentary document serves as a springboard for the phone call. Your consultant will spend 1.25 hours (that’s 1 hour and 15 minutes) on the phone with you discussing the job posting, your professional history and strategizing your cover letter’s content. After the call, you’ll receive the first draft of your cover letter. You’ll review the first draft and make any comments or changes using the track change functionality in Word. Depending on your feedback, either additional edits to your cover letter will follow or a phone call will be set up to discuss questions and concerns. The process continues until everyone is 100% satisfied. (Accommodations available for clients with dyslexia).

 

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Turnaround Time: Each service contains several deliverables. The turnaround time for any one deliverable (like new edits to a document based on client feedback) is a maximum of two business days (see the FAQs for more information). Total turnaround time is a function of a) the client’s availability to schedule calls and b) the amount of time the client requires to provide feedback on drafts. A typical timeline follows.

  • Day 1: Client emails their consultant their current resume, 1 job posting and cover letter draft or outline
  • Day 2: Cover Letter Call
  • Day 4: Client receives a first draft of their cover letter
  • Days 5-6: Client spends some time reviewing the cover letter – possibly sharing it with a few contacts. Client uses the track change functionality in Word to insert comments, feedback and changes into the document.
  • Day 7: Client’s feedback is received. Either a call will be scheduled in the next day or two or the client will receive an updated cover letter draft based on their feedback.
  • Day 8+: Additional rounds of review and editing as necessary.


[gviewer width=”3000px;” file=”https://resumestory.builders/wp-content/uploads/Associate-Management-Consultant-Cover-Letter-Example-Bain.pdf”]


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Mock Interview

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$150

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An interview is a performance, and, as any actor will tell you, a good performance boils down to content (that’s the writing) + delivery (that’s the acting). The goal of a mock interview will either be to help you a) develop content or b) refine your delivery of that content. On average, clients sign up for two mock interviews. We offer a) Behavioral Interviews, b) Traditional Interviews or c) 50/50 Behavioral-Traditional Interviews.

The purpose of a resume is to secure you an interview. The purpose of an interview is for recruiters, line managers and executives to gain insight into a) your interpersonal skills, b) your ability to lead/persuade others, c) how you think and tackle issues (your cognitive abilities) and d) your capacity to think laterally/creatively and finally e) whether you’ll add value to their team or organization.

Most people don’t get enough practice interviewing. That’s unfortunate because interviewing is a skill you develop, a muscle you build through repetition. Some people have virtually no interviewing skills at all because they’ve been promoted internally for a number of years. In a good interview you’ll provide logical and well-thought-out answers to the practical and behavioral questions put to you. In a great interview you’ll also manage to:

  • Control any insecurities
  • Radiate a positive attitude and polish/executive presence
  • Demonstrate that you will bring value to the team and the company as a whole
  • Crush any negative judgments or preconceived ideas the interviewer may have about you


Deliverable: Mock interviews last 1.5 hours and are either conducted over the phone or via a video call platform like Skype. At the end of your mock interview you’ll receive an audio recording of the call.

Process: Client emails consultant: several items (see list below) → 1.5-hour Phone Call (Mock Interview) → Client receives an audio recording of their mock interview

Prior to the mock interview, the client emails his/her consultant the following documents: a) current resume, b) cover letter, c) LinkedIn URL, d) PDF of the job posting they’re being interviewed for, e) Type of mock interview the client is interested in: Focus: Content development or content delivery? Questions: Behavioral, traditional or a 50/50 mix, f) Any additional information related to the interview. Background info could include answers to the following questions: Have you already been interviewed by HR at this organization? Is there anyone advocating for you within the company? Names/roles of the people who will interview you. Will this be a one-on-one interview? a panel interview? etc.

Your consultant will then email you to clarify the details of the mock interview and set up a day/time. At the end of your mock interview you’ll receive an audio recording of the call.

Mock Interview Focus: Content Development or Content Delivery

The focus of your mock interview will either be on a) content development or b) content delivery.

  • Content Development: For 95% of clients, their first mock interview falls into the content development category. Your consultant will help you develop scripts and stories to answer interview questions. During the mock interview, your consultant will ask a question. You’ll answer it as best you can. Then your consultant will provide you with immediate feedback and ideas on how to improve your response.
  • Content Delivery: Subsequent mock interviews may focus on content delivery. By this point in time, clients have had time to develop content and practice it in their spare time. The goal of the mock interview is to perfect the client’s scripts and stories and looking for ways to improve on a client’s body language, eye contact and voice cadence. Clients decide whether to receive feedback from their consultant throughout the mock interview (i.e. pausing for feedback after each question) or at the end of the mock interview.

Mock Interview Questions: Behavioral or Traditional

  • Behavioral Interview Questions: Behavioral interviews leverage questions about past situations and behaviors to predict future performance. Behavioral interview questions are easy to recognize because they usually begin with some variation of ‘Tell me about a time when…’ Here are some examples: ‘Tell me about a time when…you were part of a team that was underperforming? you mentored someone? you received unexpected feedback? you persuaded someone to see things from your point of view? you were forced to compromise? etc.
  • Traditional Interview Questions: Tell me about yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why are you interested in working for us? What would you do if you were having difficulties with another employee on your project? What would you do if someone asked you to overlook a problem with your project? Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? How did you like your last job? What would be a hurdle for you if we placed you in the role [you’re interviewing for] tomorrow? etc.
  • 50/50 Mix: These interviews contain a mix of traditional and behavioral interview questions.

This client was a seasoned internal auditor who had worked for two players within the high-end hotel industry. He wanted to transition to audit in a big four firm and had an upcoming interview with KPMG for a Senior Associate role in internal audit.

Part 1 – Client’s Initial Answer | Tell me about yourself.
Part 2 – Interview Coach Feedback | Tell me about yourself.

Several weeks after our mock interview session, this client emailed to say: Just wanted to thank you for helping me with content development for my KPMG phone interview around a month ago. After several follow-up interviews with different partners and managers, I finally received an offer from the firm today! In addition, I received an offer for a SOX Audit Manager position from XYZ Capital last week and got a counter offer promoting me to manager at my present employer after I notified them yesterday of my intention to leave. As you can imagine, I’m quite excited about the next steps and am struggling to decide between the three choices!


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Statement of Purpose or Essay

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$600

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Many leadership development or rotational programs require candidates to submit a personal essay or statement of purpose. While a resume is an overview of your professional story a compelling essay or statement of purpose brings depth to your narrative by elaborating on what you’ve achieved, how you think, who you are and what you want (goals). Your consultant will ensure that your essay or statement of purpose is concise but inviting, bold but modest, confident but not arrogant.

Deliverable: An essay or statement of purpose that is engaging, compelling and genuine. Length: 750 words or less.  At the end of this service you’ll receive a PDF version of your essay or statement of purpose as well as a Word document which you can edit and build on in the future.

Process: Client emails consultant: their resume, info about the program they’re applying to and a rough draft or outline of their essay → 1.25-hour Brainstorming Phone Call  → 1st Draft of Essay → Feedback → Subsequent Edits

[raw]Prior to your call, you’ll email your consultant your resume and  information about the program you’re applying to. You’ll also send your consultant a rough draft or outline of your essay or statement of purpose. This rudimentary document serves as a springboard for the phone call. Your consultant will spend 1.25 hours (that’s 1 hour and 15 minutes) on the phone with you discussing the program, your professional stories and the essay or statement of purpose. After the call, you’ll receive the first draft of your essay or statement of purpose. You’ll review the first draft and make any comments or changes using the track change functionality in Word. Depending on your feedback, either additional edits to your cover letter will follow or a phone call will be set up to discuss questions and concerns. The process continues until everyone is 100% satisfied. (Accommodations available for clients with dyslexia).

 

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Turnaround Time: Each service contains several deliverables. The turnaround time for any one deliverable (like new edits to a document based on client feedback) is a maximum of two business days (see the FAQs for more information). Total turnaround time is a function of a) the client’s availability to schedule calls and b) the amount of time the client requires to provide feedback on drafts. A typical timeline follows.

  • Day 1: Client emails consultant: Current resume, program info and essay draft or outline
  • Day 3: Essay Call
  • Day 5: Client receives a first draft of their essay or statement of purpose.
  • Days 6-7: Client spends some time reviewing the essay or statement of purpose – possibly sharing it with a few contacts. CLient uses the track change functionality in Word to insert comments, feedback and changes into the document.
  • Day 8: Client’s feedback is received. Either a call will be scheduled in the next day or two or the client will receive an updated essay or statement of purpose draft based on their feedback.
  • Day 9+: Additional rounds of review and editing as necessary.


[gviewer width=”3000px;” file=”https://resumestory.builders/wp-content/uploads/Application-Essay-or-Statement-of-Purpose-for-Corporate-Leadership-Development-or-Corporate-Rotational-Program.pdf”]

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Advising (hourly)

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$75/hour

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The hourly advising rate is a catch-all service that applies to any conversations that aren’t a part of a pre-defined service. There is no written follow-up or editing involved in this service – it’s simply your consultant providing you with feedback and guidance over the phone.

In the past clients have used advisory calls to:

  • Receive verbal feedback on a document (this could be a resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, speech, presentation etc.)
  • Talk about transitioning their career from one functional role to another (or from one industry to another)
  • Get an outside perspective on a number of jobs they’ve found and are considering applying to
  • Weigh big life choices and professional decisions (quitting job, going to grad school, becoming an entrepreneur, moving to a different location/country, tradeoffs (quality of life vs. $ money vs. professional visibility)
  • Figure out how to deal with a challenging situation or person in their workplace
  • Sort though expectations (their own and those of their entourage)
  • Articulate future goals
  • etc.


Process: Client purchase 30 minutes+ of the Hourly Advisory Service → Consultant emails client to set up a day/time for the call and to learn more about the client’s needs → Advisory Call →  Client receives an audio recording of the call (optional)

New Clients: Prior to your call, your consultant will email you to set up a day/time and learn more about your goal for the call. If applicable, your consultant will request supporting documents from you (resume, cover letter, job postings etc.). If you would like an audio recording of the call sent to you, please let your consultant know that before the call begins.

Existing Clients: Please coordinate with your consultant.


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Editing (hourly)

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$200/hour

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The hourly editing rate can be applied when a predefined service isn’t available. Your consultant will provide an estimate up front.

In the past clients have used the hourly editing service to:

  • Craft a LinkedIn headline
  • Create a custom thank you letter
  • Proofread or edit important emails
  • Write an executive bio for a corporate website
  • Edit a professional recommendation letter
  • etc.


Process: Before purchasing any hourly editing services online, please contact us to discuss your needs.


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Looking for something special? Just ask.

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FAQ

Story-based Resume

Story-based resumes are between 1 and 1.25 pages long. In certain cases an extra 1/4th of a page is allocated. Oftentimes, people struggle to identify which stories to include in their resume (and which stories to exclude). A resume writer weighs in on such decisions with an unbiased, outside opinion.

The truth is that nobody is going to take the time to read every line of a 2-page+ resume. Instead they’ll selectively read bits and pieces of it. By giving your reader the option to choose what information they consume, you’ve placed them in the driver’s seat. You’re no longer in control of your storyline. The opposite is true of a carefully curated, 1-page resume.


If you’ve spent time googling ‘resume writer’, you’ve undoubtedly noticed a lot of price point variance from one firm to another. You’re trying to make heads or tails of it all and wondering, ‘Just what is the difference between a $100 resume and a $800+ resume?’.

The short answer is time & talent. No matter the professional service you’re after (be it that of a lawyer, a resume writer or a barber), those are the two variables that dictate price. You’re most likely to receive an exceptional outcome when a talented professional invests a good deal of time in serving you. The opposite is also true. Chances are you’ll receive an unremarkable outcome from a less than stellar professional with little time to dedicate to your case.

The following statement is written in all sincerity. It’s up to you to consider how competitive your resume/cover letter/interviewing skills need be and then to seek out a professional who rises to whatever bar you set. A $800+ resume is not necessary in every case nor is a $100 resume sufficient in every case.

Prior to founding resumeSTORY.builders, Leah Derus helped MBA and Executive MBA applicants gain entrance to top business schools like HBS, Stanford and Wharton. Are you competing for jobs within a cohort of highly educated, overachievers? Will only the most exacting of standards do in your case? Then you’ll be well-served here.

Process

Client work is never outsourced to junior editors or other consultants. ResumeStory.Builders is a boutique consultancy and your consultant will personally deliver all services.


Generally speaking, work is carried out over the phone or via screen sharing sessions/video calls. That’s because working with clients virtually delivers better results. Why? Because the consultant is able to focus exclusively on the client’s words rather than being influenced by other forms of communication such as demeanor, eye contact or body language. That allows the consultant to  really hear what is being said, ask the right follow-up questions and ultimately help their client develop winning stories.

Mock interviews are an exception to the rule. Video calls are often used to provide feedback to clients on their eye contact, expressions and gestures.


Expedited service is available. Depending on the service you’re interested in ‘expedited’ may mean overnight, one-day or two-day delivery. A 50% fee increase is applied to all expedited services. If a service is normally listed as $200 on the services page, that figure is multiplied by 1.5 (in this case: $200*1.5=$300).

To discuss your needs, please email hello@resumestory.builders with the subject line: Urgent


There is a full description of each service on the Services & Pricing page. There you’ll find precise descriptions of services, working methods and turnaround times.
Each service available at resumeSTORY.builders contains several deliverables. The turnaround time for any one deliverable (like new edits to a document based on client feedback) is a maximum of two business days.

  • Example of a service: Cover Letter
  • Example of some deliverables: Email client first draft of their cover letter OR Review client feedback and edit cover letter
Document submitted or call concluded by 18:00 EST on: Deliverable returned by midnight EST on:
Monday Wednesday
Tuesday Thursday
Wednesday Friday
Thursday Saturday
Friday Tuesday
Saturday Wednesday
Sunday Wednesday

American Holiday Closures: Memorial Day (last Monday of May); Independence Day (July 4th); Labor Day (May 1); Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday of November); Christmas (December 24th and 25th); New Year (December 31st and January 1st)

CALL

  • Client and consultant finish up a cover letter brainstorming call at 16:00/4pm EST on Monday, the submission day is Monday and a first draft will be sent to the client by Wednesday at midnight EST.
  • Client and consultant finish up a cover letter brainstorming call at 22:00/10pm EST on Monday, the submission day is Tuesday and a first draft will be sent to the client by Thursday at midnight EST.

FEEDBACK

  • Client submits written comments on the first draft of his resume at 16:00/4pm EST on Monday, the submission day is Monday and a newly edited resume will be returned to the client by Wednesday at midnight EST.
  • Client submits written comments on the first draft of his resume at 22:00/10pm EST on Monday, the submission day is Tuesday and a newly edited resume will be returned to the client by Thursday at midnight EST.

Payments

Small discounts are available for clients who opt for payment through Venmo or Direct Bank Transfer. After adding a service to your cart, proceed to the checkout page. There you’ll be able to see the discount associated with Venmo and Direct Bank Transfer.

Rather than negotiating prices with individuals, resumeSTORY.builders offers the same straightforward rates to everyone. The prices you’ll find on the website have been carefully calculated to reflect a) the amount of time and effort involved in delivering a service and b) the caliber of work we deliver. We’re convinced that apples to apples, you won’t find better value anywhere else.

Payment Plans: Unfortunately payment plans aren’t available but we do accept payment from the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club.


U.S. Clients: U.S. clients can pay via Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club),  Venmo (a free service owned and operated by PayPal) or Direct Bank Transfer.

International Clients: Clients outside the U.S. can make payments via Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club) or Direct Bank Transfer.

Payment Plans: Unfortunately payment plans aren’t available.

Discounts are available for clients who opt for payment through Venmo or Direct Bank Transfer. In order to simplify back office procedures, payment must be received before we begin working together. Credit card and Venmo payments are received instantly. Direct Bank Transfers can require 3-6 days to clear. Please take this into consideration when choosing a payment method.


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