Seems to me that is such a question of effectiveness vs. cost. If you pay $500 and you get a great job after sending out 10 resumes, that's a good value. If you pay $150 and are still looking after sending out 300 resumes, that's too much too pay.

Cost should not be the driving factor. Personally I don't believe in paying someone to do your resume unless you simply cannot write a coherent phrase, or your grammar & spelling are such that even a professional proofreader can't help it. There are so many resources out there you can use, and you know yourself better than anyone else does. However, you must have an editor or proofreader review it when you are done--it is amazing what a great copy editor can do with a basically decent resume--they can make a good resume great, and a great resume better. And a mediocre resume as good as you will let them make it.

Here's what I'd ask if I ever were to pay someone to do my resume (I actually do resumes for other people, but not for pay--as barter tender or favors for very good friends. And for my husband.)

1. May I see several samples of actual resumes you have done?

2. May I have references from among your past clients?

3. What percentage of your clients have gotten interviews and/or jobs or job offers as a result of submitting the resume you wrote for them? Approximately how long does your average client take to find a new position once they start using the resume you have written?

4. What are your qualifications--educational background, business experience, etc.

5. Do you charge by the hour or by the job?

Be very cautious, and make sure the person doing your resume really knows what he/she is doing. I have seen, on this board, and in person, professionally written resumes that were garbage. Too much jargon, too many cliche'd phrases, too much fluff & not enough substance. Not to mention errors of grammar. I think just about every "professional" resume I've ever seen has had grammar errors in it. The biggest thing, though, is the trend to write in a manner that is supposed to come off as professional, but ends up sounding self indulgent or as hyperbole.