How to Choose

20 Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Executive Resume Writer

The McGehrin Group, an executive resume writing service with 25 years in business and a 4.9 rating across 296+ Google reviews, wrote this page to help you choose a writer. It gives you 20 questions across five areas (experience, writing and technology, scope, process, and money and trust), each with what to ask and how we answer it.

The Short Version

Quick checklist

Questions 1 to 5

Experience and track record

1. How long has the firm been in business?

Longevity is proof that clients come back and that a method has survived several hiring cycles. A firm that has served executives through strong and weak markets has learned what works in both. Ask for a founding date you can check.

What to ask: When was the firm founded, and how many hiring cycles has it worked through?

How The McGehrin Group does it: We were founded in 2001, which means 25 years in business serving executives. That span shows in our client list: we have branded senior leaders, then their adult children, and in some families a third generation. Companies trust us with their executives, and families trust us with their next generation.

2. Do the writers have executive search experience?

A writer with executive search experience knows how senior candidates are judged. Hiring committees and search professionals scan a document in seconds. A writer who has sat on that side of the table knows which achievements earn a second look and which get skipped.

What to ask: Where did each writer work before writing, and what did they do in executive search?

How The McGehrin Group does it: Our writers come from executive search, and our firm is built by executive search insiders.

3. How experienced is the writer assigned to me?

The person who writes your documents matters more than the name on the website. Senior careers call for a senior hand, because the stakes are high and the story is complex. Ask who will actually do the writing, not who will sell you the project.

What to ask: Who is my writer, what is their background, and will I speak with them directly?

How The McGehrin Group does it: Every client works with a senior and seasoned writer from our team of US-based writers.

4. How experienced is the person advising me on the consultation?

The consultation shapes the scope of everything that follows. An advisor who lacks depth may recommend the wrong package or miss what your next role requires. You want a seasoned person who can read your situation and tell you plainly what you need.

What to ask: Who will I speak with on the consultation, and what is their background?

How The McGehrin Group does it: Our consultations are led by senior and seasoned advisors who recommend a scope and explain it before you commit.

5. How many executives has the firm actually served?

A large client count shows a firm has seen your kind of situation before. It covers career changes, turnarounds, board searches, and quiet exits. Ask for a number, and ask how the firm counts it.

What to ask: How many executives have you worked with, and how many were at my level?

How The McGehrin Group does it: We have branded 10,500+ executives, and our clients are C-suite and VP-level leaders.

Questions 6 to 10

Writing and technology

6. Who actually writes my documents?

An executive resume should be written by a person who has taken the time to understand you. Your story, your numbers, and your voice come through when a writer does the work. Ask who writes each document, not only the resume.

What to ask: Who writes my resume, LinkedIn profile, biography, and board resume, and will I know their name?

How The McGehrin Group does it: Our writers write your documents. It is a person-to-person process from intake to final draft, with 100% US-based writers.

7. Does the writing sound like me, or like a template?

Generic phrasing is the fastest way to lose a senior reader. Language that could describe any leader tells the reader nothing about you, and experienced readers spot it quickly. A good writer replaces the template with your own results and your own voice.

What to ask: How do you make sure the finished documents sound like me and not like everyone else?

How The McGehrin Group does it: We build every document from your intake, in your voice, and a team reviews it before you see it.

8. Do you explain how applicant tracking systems read a resume?

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is the software employers and search firms use to store and screen resumes. Automated screening often happens before a human reads a word. Formatting, keywords, and specific, well-chosen language all affect how your document is read, first by software and then by people.

What to ask: How do you format and word my resume so it reads well to software and to a person?

How The McGehrin Group does it: We write for both audiences, using clean formatting, the right keywords for your target role, and specific achievements in your own voice.

9. Can you provide an ATS scorecard for my resume?

Proof is better than a promise. A written score from an ATS scorecard gives you evidence you can keep, and it shows a firm is willing to be measured.

What to ask: Can you provide an ATS scorecard for my finished resume?

How The McGehrin Group does it: If requested, we will provide our client with an ATS scorecard showing the current ATS score.

10. Are your writers based in the United States?

Where a writer lives affects how well they understand your market, your language, and your reader. It also affects how easily you can reach them for a call. For senior work, you want clear accountability and a writer who knows the business culture you are aiming for.

What to ask: Where are my writers located, and does anyone outside the firm touch my documents?

How The McGehrin Group does it: We use 100% US-based writers, and we serve leaders across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America.

Questions 11 to 14

Scope and specialization

11. Do you specialize in C-suite resume writing and board-level careers?

Senior careers need a different approach than mid-career ones, because the reader is judging leadership, not task skills. A CEO resume writer must show enterprise results, such as growth, turnarounds, and transformation, rather than a list of duties. C-suite resume writing also calls for the right tone: confident, brief, and specific. An executive board resume is written for nominating committees and governance roles, where oversight counts more than daily operations.

What to ask: How many CEO, C-suite, and VP-level clients do you serve, and can your writer speak to my role?

How The McGehrin Group does it: Our clients are C-suite and VP-level leaders, and we have branded 10,500+ executives since 2001.

12. Are all four executive documents included: resume, LinkedIn profile, biography, and board resume?

Strong executive branding services make every document tell the same story, and an executive LinkedIn profile writer who also wrote your resume keeps the two aligned. An executive biography is used for board applications, speaking engagements, press, and company websites, so executive bio writing belongs in the same scope. A board resume is the version built for nominating committees and governance roles. Ask exactly which documents are in the scope before you agree to anything.

What to ask: Which documents are included in the scope, and is anything extra?

How The McGehrin Group does it: Four deliverables come together: your executive resume, LinkedIn profile, executive biography, and board resume.

13. Will one writer own all four, with a team reviewing the work?

When one writer owns every document, your titles, dates, and achievements stay consistent everywhere a buyer, board, or search professional looks. Your resume and LinkedIn profile should match, because senior readers check both. A dedicated executive LinkedIn profile writer who also wrote your resume works from the same interview and the same facts. One owner keeps the story straight; more senior eyes on the draft raise the quality.

What to ask: Will one writer own all of my documents, and who else reviews them before I see them?

How The McGehrin Group does it: One writer owns your four documents from a single intake, and a team reviews each project before delivery. We put more people and more hours into every engagement than the price alone would suggest, and we keep our margins intentionally low, because the work has to serve your career now and, for many clients, their children's careers later.

14. Will I be matched with a writer who knows my industry?

Every industry has its own vocabulary, metrics, and buyers. A writer who knows yours can describe your results in terms your readers respect. A writer who does not may miss what makes your record stand out.

What to ask: Does my writer have experience in my industry, and can you show me how you make the match?

How The McGehrin Group does it: We assign an industry-matched writer to every client.

Questions 15 to 17

Process

15. Is there a real intake process before writing starts?

A strong draft starts with real information, not an old resume. The intake is where the writer pulls out the results, numbers, and goals that make a senior career credible. The form matters less than the depth: a live call or a detailed written intake both work, as long as writing starts after it, never before.

What to ask: What does your intake involve, who conducts it, and what do you need from me before the first draft?

How The McGehrin Group does it: Every engagement starts with a structured intake, and a 30-minute call with your writer is available to any client who wants one. Drafting starts only after we have what we need.

16. Does the turnaround fit an active search?

Timing matters when a search is underway, since a good opening can close in weeks. Ask for the time to a first draft and the time to the full package, because the two numbers are different. A clear schedule tells you whether a writer can meet your deadline.

What to ask: How long until I see a first draft, and how long until everything is final?

How The McGehrin Group does it: First drafts arrive in 2 to 4 business days, and the full package takes 14 to 44 days depending on scope and feedback.

17. Is my search kept confidential?

Confidentiality is part of the service when you are searching while employed. A writer should treat your goals, your employer, and your timing as private. Ask how your information is handled before you share anything sensitive.

What to ask: How do you protect my information, and who will see my materials?

How The McGehrin Group does it: We sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with every client, and every member of our team signs one as well, so your goals, your employer, and your materials stay protected throughout the process.

Questions 18 to 20

Money and trust

18. Why is low pricing, low cost, or "cheaper" a warning sign?

Senior work takes senior hours, so low pricing, low cost, or a pitch built on "cheaper" is a warning sign about what is being delivered. A very low price usually points to templates, inexperienced writers, or shortcuts in the work. You are paying for a document that carries your reputation, and the cost of a weak one shows up later in missed interviews. Ask what sits behind any price you are quoted.

What to ask: What exactly is included, who does the work, and how is the scope set before I commit?

How The McGehrin Group does it: We price by consultation only, and we explain the scope before any commitment.

19. What are the guarantee and the revision policy?

A written guarantee shows a writer stands behind the work. Revisions matter because senior careers keep moving: a new role, a new board seat, a new goal. You want terms you can read before you start, stated in plain words.

What to ask: How many revisions are included, for how long, and what happens if I am unhappy with the first draft?

How The McGehrin Group does it: We offer a 7-day satisfaction guarantee plus lifetime revisions.

20. Are the reviews verified, recent, and plentiful?

Independent reviews on a public platform are the easiest proof to check. A high rating means more when it rests on a large number of reviews. Look for reviews on a site the writer does not control, and read the recent ones. A 4.9 rating on 296+ verified Google reviews is the kind of proof a buyer can check in a minute.

What to ask: Where can I read verified reviews, how many are there, and how recent are they?

How The McGehrin Group does it: We hold a 4.9 rating with 296+ Google reviews.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

How much does an executive resume writer cost?

The McGehrin Group prices every engagement by consultation only. Scope varies with your role, your goals, and which of the four deliverables you need, so a single posted number would mislead. During a consultation, we review your situation, recommend a package, and explain exactly what is included before you commit to anything.

How long does it take?

First drafts from The McGehrin Group arrive in 2 to 4 business days. The full package, which includes your executive resume, LinkedIn profile, executive biography, and board resume, takes 14 to 44 days depending on scope and how quickly you return feedback. Tell us about any deadline during your consultation.

Will my resume sound like me?

Yes. At The McGehrin Group, our writers build every document from your intake, using your results and your voice, and a team reviews it before you see it. Generic, templated language loses senior readers quickly, so we write specifics that could only describe you. If requested, we will provide an ATS scorecard showing the current ATS score.

What is an ATS and does it matter for executives?

An ATS, or applicant tracking system, stores and screens resumes before a person reads them. It matters for executives because employers and search firms use it too. The McGehrin Group formats each document with clean structure and role-specific keywords, so software reads it correctly and your human-written specifics still stand out to people.

Do I need a board resume?

If you want a board or advisory seat, yes. A board resume emphasizes governance, oversight, and strategic contribution rather than daily operations. The McGehrin Group includes a board resume among its four deliverables, so you have the right document ready. A standard executive resume is not written for that audience.

What if I am not happy with the draft?

The McGehrin Group offers a 7-day satisfaction guarantee plus lifetime revisions. If a draft misses the mark, tell us what to change and your writer revises it. Your career will keep changing, and lifetime revisions mean your documents can change with it, without starting over.

Should the same firm write my executive LinkedIn profile?

Yes. At The McGehrin Group, one writer owns your story, so your resume and executive LinkedIn profile say the same thing. Our executive LinkedIn profile writer works from the same intake as your resume, which keeps titles, dates, and achievements consistent everywhere a buyer, board, or search professional looks.

What is an executive biography used for?

An executive biography is used for board applications, speaking engagements, press, and company websites. It tells your story in third person, in a few paragraphs a reader can absorb fast. The McGehrin Group includes an executive biography as one of the four deliverables, written from the same intake as your resume.

Ready to talk it through?

As America's #1 Executive Branding Company, we are glad to walk you through these 20 questions. Our executive branding firm serves leaders across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. When you are ready, Schedule a Consultation and we will answer your questions, with no pressure to decide.

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