This Freelance Resume Writer Makes 4000 a Month

Lucas: So earlier this month, I came across a story about a former HR manager named Sarah who decided to turn her resume-review side gig into a full-fledged freelance business. She now makes about four thousand dollars a month, working around fifteen hours a week. Luna: Four thousand a month just by writing resumes? That seems high for something people often think of as a one-time service. Lucas: It does, but she's built a niche. She focuses on mid-career professionals in tech and healthcare — people who are willing to pay between one hundred fifty and three hundred dollars for a well-crafted resume and LinkedIn profile optimization. And many return for updates every year or two. Luna: So there's recurring revenue. What was her background that made this work? Lucas: She'd been an HR manager for eight years at a mid-sized health system. She'd reviewed thousands of resumes, so she knew what hiring managers actually look for — and what applicant tracking systems filter out. When she left her job to relocate, she started offering resume critiques on a freelance platform. Within six months, she had more work than she could handle. Luna: And she charges what, specifically? Lucas: Her base rate is a hundred fifty dollars for a one-page resume. Two pages runs two hundred fifty. If you add LinkedIn profile optimization, it's three hundred. She also offers a package with a cover letter for three fifty. She averages about twenty-five to thirty clients a month, depending on the season. Luna: That's a lot of clients. How does she find them? Lucas: Primarily through referrals and LinkedIn. She posts before and after examples — with names redacted — that show real impact. She also writes on Medium about applicant tracking systems, which drives organic traffic. And she has a simple Gumroad page for scheduling. Luna: What about competition? There are tons of resume writers out there. Lucas: True, but most aren't specialized. Sarah's background in HR gives her credibility that generic writers can't match. She also guarantees a callback rate increase, or she'll revise for free. That's a strong differentiator. Lucas: And that kind of guarantee is one reason her business keeps growing. If these conversations have helped you think about your own side hustle, we'd be grateful if you'd consider supporting the show. It's at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Keeps us ad-free and independent. Luna: Yeah, we're listener-supported and we want to keep it that way. Lucas: So back to scaling — one thing Sarah did was create templates. She built a library of industry-specific templates that she customizes. That cut her per-client time from four hours to about two. Luna: What tools does she use specifically? Lucas: Grammar checking like Grammarly, a style guide for consistency, and a simple CRM to track follow-ups. Nothing flashy. She also uses Canva for any design elements if a client wants a modern layout. Luna: Any cautionary notes from her experience? Lucas: One thing she warns about is over-promising. Some clients expect a resume to guarantee a job, but it's just one piece. She's careful to set expectations upfront. Also, she recommends having a contract that limits liability — you don't want someone blaming you if they don't get an interview. Luna: Good advice. So for someone starting out, what's the first step? Lucas: Get your first client, even if it's free or discounted, to build a portfolio. And consider focusing on one or two industries where you have experience. Generalists struggle to command premium rates. Sarah's story shows that with a specific skill and a targeted approach, a four-thousand-dollar side hustle is very achievable. Luna: I also like that she's transparent about the seasonality. January and September are busiest because of New Year's resolutions and post-Labor Day job searches. Lucas: Exactly. And she plans for that by saving during peak months to cover slower summer periods. That's a smart cash flow strategy for any freelance business. Luna: One last question: does she do video consultations or just text? Lucas: Both. She offers a thirty-minute video call to discuss the client's background, then works asynchronously. Clients appreciate that personal touch. It also reduces back and forth revisions. Luna: I think the takeaway is that this isn't just about writing. It's about positioning yourself as a career consultant, not just a resume writer. Lucas: Right. And with more people job hopping every eighteen months, demand isn't going away. If you have an eye for language and some insight into hiring, this is a side hustle worth exploring. Luna: Great episode. Next week we're looking at freelance bookkeeping — another steady performer.