Best Resume Review Services & Expert Tips for DIY Improvements

A resume review is when an expert checks your formatting, content, and keyword usage to ensure it’s ATS-friendly. You can use free options like Rezi or Reddit for feedback, or opt for paid services like Let’s Eat, Grandma for a more in-depth review. If you prefer to do it yourself, try reading your resume aloud, checking for consistency, or getting feedback from a friend to spot any areas for improvement.

Perfecting your resume can feel like a never-ending loop. You think you’ve nailed it, then second-guess everything when you look at it again, wondering if it’s headed straight for the rejection pile. 

We’ve all made resume mistakes — like listing outdated high school grades or using the wrong tense. Maybe you’ve been sending your resume out for months, only to get rejection emails, and now you’re thinking, “Is it me or the resume?” Job hunting has changed, and what worked before might not cut it now. 

Or maybe you’re eyeing the perfect opportunity and want to make sure your resume is the best it can be. That’s when it’s time to call in the professionals. 

In this guide, we’ll cover: 

• What to expect from a resume review. 
• The best (and not-so-great) resume review services. 
• How to review your resume yourself. 

If you need a hand putting your resume together, check out the Rezi AI Resume Builder. For more tips, explore our guides on: 

• Writing The Best Resume Possible 
• Tailoring Your Resume to the Job Description 
• Resume Sections You Can Include 
• Writing a Resume With No Experience 

What’s Included in a Resume Review 

A resume review is when an expert evaluates your resume from a hiring manager’s perspective and gives you feedback on how to improve its content, format, and effectiveness. Here’s what to expect: 

• Formatting check. The reviewer will make sure your resume is clean, easy to read, and properly spaced. A one-page resume is usually best. 
• Content evaluation. Your experience, skills, and education will be assessed for relevance, clarity, and alignment with industry trends. 
• Keyword optimization. They’ll check your resume has the right keywords to pass the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and grab the hiring manager’s attention. 
• Focus on accomplishments. They’ll help you highlight achievements on your resume over just listing duties. 
• Language and clarity. Expect tips on cutting fluff, using action verbs, and keeping a confident tone without personal pronouns. 
• Tone and alignment. They’ll check if your resume fits the job and industry and whether it’s too casual or formal. 

Some reviews also include tips on your LinkedIn or cover letter, but most don’t offer a complete rewrite unless you pay for it. An effective resume review will leave you with clear, actionable feedback to boost your confidence and elevate your resume. 

Best Resume Review Services 

Whether you need a quick resume check or a complete overhaul, a professional review can make all the difference to land your next job. To save you time, we’ve rounded up the best resume review services — from budget-friendly options to top-tier experts — so you can find the perfect fit for your career goals. If you want to dig deeper, check company websites, and don’t forget to read reviews on Reddit and Trustpilot. 

Rezi 

Rezi provides a smart AI Resume Checker with real-time content analysis, keyword suggestions, and a Rezi score to track your progress. You’ll get free personalized feedback on improving your formatting, content, and grammar. If you decide to go with a premium plan (starting at $29/month) and aren’t satisfied, you can take advantage of the money-back guarantee. 

Kickresume 

Kickresume offers a free AI resume checker that gives instant feedback and personalized tips to improve your resume. For more features, you can upgrade to their premium plans: $19/month, $13/month (quarterly), or $7/month (yearly). They also have a proofreading service for $28 a document, where they’ll clean up your grammar and readability within two days. 

Reddit resume review 

You can get free, quick feedback on your resume through Reddit. Post your resume in a subreddit like r/resumes, ask for advice, and you’ll usually get comments within a day. The quality of feedback can vary, but it’s a great way to hear different opinions for free. Plus, checking out other resumes can give you some useful tips. 

Let’s Eat, Grandma 

Let’s Eat, Grandma provides a free resume critique with one of their expert writers, so you can get a feel for their service before committing. If you want a full resume rewrite, you’ll need to sign up for one of their premium plans, starting at $439. While it might be outside a lot of people’s budgets, their 4.8-star TrustPilot rating shows many find it worth the investment. 

The Muse 

The Muse offers 1-on-1 resume coaching with vetted experts through video calls. Prices start at $139 for a 30-minute session with one round of edits, and go up to $549 for 60 minutes with a top coach and unlimited revisions. Although they don’t offer a free review, they’ve earned great feedback from users. 

MentorCruise 

MentorCruise connects you with professionals from top companies like Amazon and DoorDash for personalized resume reviews. Prices start at $50 per month for basic services and can reach $800 a month for more calls and unlimited messaging. While there’s no free resume review, you can try a mentor for free before committing. It’s a flexible, expert option, but be sure to check reviews to find a reliable coach.

Fiverr 

Fiverr is a freelance marketplace where you can hire resume reviewers for everything from quick critiques to full rewrites. You can browse profiles, check reviews, and pick a freelancer that fits your budget. Prices start at $5, but high-quality reviews usually fall between $50 and $150. It’s flexible and affordable, but make sure to read the ratings to find someone reliable. 

Alternative Resume Review Services 

Here are some alternative resume review services that may not be the most highly rated but could still be worth considering, depending on your needs. 

TopResume 

While TopResume offers a free resume review and paid packages from $179 to $699, many users report issues with the paid service. Common complaints include generic rewrites, inaccuracies (like added experience that doesn’t apply), and difficulty securing refunds. While the free feedback is helpful, be cautious when investing in a paid package and double-check reviews before committing. 

ZipJob 

ZipJob gives you professional resume services with a 60-day interview guarantee, but customer reviews are mixed, with a 3-star rating on Trustpilot. Some users have been dissatisfied with resume rewrites, pointing out inaccuracies and a lack of customization. It’s a good idea to start with their free resume review to see if their approach matches your needs before committing to a paid plan. 

ChatGPT 

ChatGPT is a free and handy tool for improving your resume’s grammar, clarity, and flow. However, it can sound generic, and experienced hiring managers may spot AI-generated content. To avoid this, always review and personalize it. If you’re using ChatGPT to write your resume, be specific with your prompts. Here’s one to get you started: 

I am applying for a [Job Title] position in [Company Name], and I have included the job description and my current resume (see below). Can you review my resume and suggest improvements to better align it with the job posting? Specifically, I’d like to: 

• Ensure my resume highlights the most relevant skills and keywords from the job description.
• Refine my bullet points to focus on measurable achievements and impact.
• Make my experience sound more compelling and tailored to this role.
• Improve my summary (if needed) to better position me as a strong candidate.

Please provide feedback and rewritten bullet points where necessary. Feel free to suggest changes to structure, wording, or formatting to make my resume stronger. 

Job description: (Paste job description here)
Resume: (Paste resume here)

DIY Resume Review Tips 

In short: read your resume aloud to catch awkward phrasing and ask a trusted friend for honest feedback. Use free tools like Grammarly for typos, but double-check suggestions. Be clear, start bullet points with strong action verbs, highlight specific achievements with numbers, maintain consistent formatting, and optimize for ATS by using job-related keywords. 

If you’re confident in your resume-writing skills and prefer to handle it yourself, try these practical tips to give your resume a professional polish: 

1. Read aloud 

Reading your resume out loud helps you notice awkward phrasing, typos, and clunky sentences. Rewrite any parts where you stumble or something sounds off. Listen for repetitive words and aim for smooth, confident language that emphasizes your skills. Make sure you’re using the past tense for previous roles and the present tense for your current job. 

2. Ask a friend 

A fresh set of eyes can catch mistakes you’ve overlooked. Ask a trusted friend who’s not afraid to be honest or someone in your field to review your resume. They can flag unclear sections, spot missing details, and suggest what to cut or improve. 

3. Use a free grammar and spell checker 

Run your resume through a free tool like Grammarly to catch typos and grammar slips you might miss. These tools aren’t perfect, especially with industry terms, so always double-check their suggestions. Still, they’re a fast and easy way to polish your resume. 

4. Check for clarity 

Every line of your resume should be clear and valuable, with no fluff. Simplify vague or complicated phrases, and cut out buzzwords that don’t add meaning. If you’re unsure what a sentence means, chances are a hiring manager won’t get it either. 

5. Scan for action verbs 

Start each bullet point with a strong action verb, like “developed,” “implemented,” or “optimized.” Avoid weak phrases such as “I was responsible for.” 

6. Be specific about your achievements 

Focus on what you achieved in your work experience, not just what you were supposed to do. Add numbers when you can to make your impact clear, like “helped 50+ customers daily, reducing wait times by 20%” or “trained 15 new hires.” Even if you simply kept things running smoothly, that’s worth highlighting: “consistently met or exceeded monthly sales targets.” 

7. Use consistent formatting 

Keep the same font, bullet style, and spacing throughout. Mixing Arial in one section and Times New Roman in another would look chaotic. Choose a professional font like Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri — go for 10–12 pt for body text, 14–16pt for headings. Stick to single or 1.15 spacing and one-inch margins. 

8. Optimize your resume for the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) 

Many companies use ATS to scan resumes for keywords and filter applicants. To boost your chances, tailor your resume by pulling key phrases and keywords directly from the job description. 

Keep your format simple — skip fancy graphics, tables, or unusual fonts, since ATS might not read them correctly. A basic resume template with a one-column layout and minimal colors makes it easier for both the system and hiring managers to read your resume. 

Summary 

Here’s a recap of the key points about resume reviews: 

• A good resume review covers formatting, content evaluation, keyword optimization, and feedback on tone and clarity. 
• To review your resume yourself, use tools like Grammarly, read it aloud, and ask a friend for honest feedback to catch mistakes. 
• Top review services include Rezi, Kickresume, Reddit, and Fiverr — ranging from free checks to full rewrites. 
• Free reviews offer useful tips, but complete rewrites usually cost extra. 
• Reviewers focus on highlighting accomplishments, not just duties. 
• Expect advice on using action verbs, removing fluff, and keeping a confident tone. 
• Use job-specific keywords from the job description to help your resume pass ATS and grab the hiring manager’s attention. 
• Maintain consistent fonts, spacing, and margins to ensure readability and professionalism. 

FAQ 

Is it worth paying for a resume review? 

It can be, but I’d suggest trying a free review first. Platforms like Rezi or Kickresume have free AI tools that can make your resume stronger and more ATS-friendly. You might even get lucky with a free review from someone on Reddit. Just because something costs more doesn’t mean it’s automatically better. 

What is an ATS-friendly resume? 

An ATS-friendly resume is designed to pass through the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which companies use to filter resumes before they reach a hiring manager. To make yours ATS-friendly, stick to a simple layout, use standard fonts, clear headings, and add keywords from the job description to boost your chances of being seen. 

Can ChatGPT review my resume? 

ChatGPT can help with checking grammar, structure, and clarity. You can ask for suggestions to improve bullet points or tailor your resume to a specific job. While it’s not a perfect substitute for a human expert, it’s a quick, free way to get solid feedback — just be sure to give specific prompts. 

What’s the main reason for getting your resume reviewed? 

The main reason is to catch mistakes and make your resume as strong as possible. Small changes, like refining wording or highlighting achievements, can really make a difference. A good review helps you present yourself clearly, meet job requirements, and increase your chances of landing interviews. 

How should I prepare for a resume review? 

Update your resume with your latest experience and keep the job description handy — it helps the reviewer check if you’re aligned with the role. Be clear about your career goals and have any questions ready. If you’re using a review service, research and check reviews first. Feedback from someone in your field or multiple sources can also give you a broader perspective. 

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