Hello everyone. Today I’m launching a new “Extra Income” series. If you’d like to be featured, please send me an email. To start the series, I’m introducing Katie. She writes the personal blog More To Life and runs Resumes By Katie.
From her resume business website:
“They say finding a job is all about ‘who you know.’ While networking is an advantage, I prefer to focus on what you can control.
My resume templates have helped clients secure jobs directly through mass-listing sites like CareerBuilder.
I take a personal approach with each client, learning about their skills and personality through phone, email, and Skype conversations.
Although I use strong professional templates, you won’t find cookie-cutter products here. Every person and every job are different, and I customize every resume, cover letter, and thank-you note accordingly.”
How did you get started with Resumes By Katie?
I was recently engaged and faced wedding expenses on top of substantial student loan debt.
My background as a seasonal resume reviewer, combined with journalism and marketing experience, made starting a resume service a realistic freelance option.
I noticed a gap in the market for affordable resume help, so I decided to fill it.
What drew you to this line of work?
I worried about managing finances without additional income.
Using skills from my education and career to genuinely help people felt like a perfect fit.
The flexibility to work from anywhere and at times that fit my schedule made it ideal, since I was juggling multiple commitments.
What services do you offer?
I create and revise resumes, cover letters, and professional thank-you notes. I also build and update LinkedIn profiles. Each service includes a 30-minute consultation, conducted in person, by phone, email, or Skype.
Clients receive both PDF and DOC versions of the final documents so they can start applying immediately.
How do you improve resumes?
I begin by adjusting the format to ensure clarity and readability—after all, employers often spend just seconds scanning a resume.
Next, I meet with the client to identify additional skills or experiences that may be relevant. Finally, I tailor the resume to align with specific job descriptions.
What sets you apart from other resume writers?
My pricing. I wouldn’t pay exorbitant fees for a resume, and I don’t expect my clients to do so either.
I believe a successful resume should help you earn money, so Resumes By Katie is an affordable option for budget-conscious clients.
Affordable does not mean low quality. I provide personalized, customized service and genuinely enjoy helping clients—this passion shows in the results.
What surprised you most about running a business?
Owning a business involves much more than delivering a service—you also wear the hats of accountant, marketer, web specialist, and HR manager, among others.
I was humbled by how much I needed to learn beyond resume writing. If you don’t want to learn those skills yourself, be prepared to hire experts.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a small business owner?
Don’t rush growth. Technology makes it easy to start—a website and a business model can come together quickly—but scaling too fast can overwhelm your capacity and harm service quality.
I launched my site and model in a weekend, but have expanded gradually over the past year. Slow, steady growth has helped me maintain quality.
Work hard, be patient, and celebrate incremental successes as you build your business.
What were your start-up costs?
Starting an online business can be inexpensive. Most people already have internet access and a phone. I bought a domain and did my own site design, beginning for less than $20.
Later, because I’m not highly technical, I hired help to move to self-hosting and get a professional design; that cost just over $300.
I also purchased business cards and occasionally spend on marketing, keeping those costs low so I can offer affordable services.
The most useful purchase was the Ring It Up app for $30, which helps me track expenses and transactions—crucial for managing the accounting side of the business.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your side job?
Finding and highlighting each client’s best accomplishments and skills is incredibly satisfying.
Many people underestimate their own capabilities and undersell themselves on resumes and cover letters.
Boosting a client’s confidence and sending them off with a stronger chance of landing new opportunities is the most rewarding part. Hearing that a client landed a great job after using my services is the highlight of my work.
What are your business goals for the coming year?
I’d like to grow the business enough to create an internship program so college students can gain experience while I learn to delegate.
Do you earn extra income? What do you do?