Hey everyone! I’m starting a new series called “Extra Income.” If you want to be featured, just shoot me an email. To kick things off, let me introduce Katie. She has a personal blog called More To Life and runs a business called Resumes By Katie.
Katie’s resume business stands out because she believes that while knowing the right people helps, we have more control over our job search than we think. Her resume templates have landed multiple jobs through mass-resume websites like Careerbuilder. She takes a personal approach with each client, getting to know their skills and personalities through phone, email, or Skype. Her templates are professional but not cookie-cutter; each resume, cover letter, and thank-you card is tailored to the individual.
Katie started Resumes By Katie because she was engaged, had a wedding to pay for, and was buried in student loan debt. She combined her experience as a seasonal resume reviewer with her journalism and marketing background to create an affordable resume service. She was driven by the need for extra income and the desire to help people, making it a win-win situation. The flexibility of working from anywhere also fit well with her busy schedule.
Katie offers services like building or revising resumes, cover letters, and professional thank-you notes. She can also help with LinkedIn profiles. Each service includes a 30-minute consultation, and clients receive both PDF and doc versions of their documents, ready for job applications.
To improve resumes, Katie starts with a clear and easy-to-read format, knowing employers spend only about six seconds per resume. She then consults with clients to uncover any additional relevant skills or experience and tailors the resume to match job descriptions.
What sets Katie apart from other resume writers is her affordable pricing. She believes in providing excellent service without charging exorbitant fees. Her approach is personal and customized, and her passion for the job ensures top-notch service.
Owning a business has taught Katie that it’s more than just offering a service; you also need to be an accountant, marketing specialist, HTML expert, and HR manager. She was surprised by how much she had to learn beyond creating quality resumes and cover letters. If you’re not willing to learn, be prepared to pay for expert help.
The biggest lesson Katie has learned as a small business owner is to take things slow. While technology makes it easy to start a business, growing too quickly can hurt your service and business. She set up her website and business model in one weekend but allowed her business to expand gradually over the past year, which she’s grateful for.
Starting a business online can be very affordable. Katie began with an Internet connection and a phone, bought her domain name, designed her website, and got started for less than $20. Later, she hired help for a professional website design, which cost just over $300. She also purchased business cards and occasionally spends on marketing and advertising. Her most useful purchase was the Ring It Up app for $30, which helps her track expenses and transactions.
The most rewarding part of Katie’s side job is finding and highlighting her clients’ best accomplishments and skills. Many people underestimate themselves, and Katie loves boosting their confidence and setting them up for exciting job opportunities. Hearing that a client landed a great job after using her services is the best part of her job.
Looking ahead, Katie hopes to grow her business enough to create an internship program, providing valuable experience for college students while learning to delegate tasks.
Do you make extra income? What do you do?