Specialist resume writer for one career niche

Experienced professionals, managers, nurses, engineers or people applying for government roles who want a specialist and can afford higher fees.

Higher priced packages and add-ons such as LinkedIn rewrites, follow-up edits and coaching calls. Referrals from recruiters and career coaches can bring repeat work.

• Deep knowledge of your chosen industry and its hiring habits
• Strong writing and editing
• Consulting and listening skills
• Marketing yourself through LinkedIn and referrals

• Certification is voluntary in many cases, but check whether any credential would help win clients in your niche
• Check city or county business license rules and your state's sales tax treatment of services
• Federal resumes follow specific formats, so check current requirements before selling that service
• Client income can be uneven, as demand often rises and falls with the job market
• Consider professional liability and general liability insurance, and check HOA or lease rules for a home office

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your niche, website, any certification you pursue and insurance. Choosing a niche you already know well can help keep early costs down.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your niche, fees and client volume. Income can be uneven, as demand often rises and falls with the job market.

Check whether any credential would help win clients in your niche, since certification is voluntary in many cases. Also check city or county business license rules, your state's sales tax treatment of services, and current federal resume format requirements.