Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you sign up for Jotform through my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I actually use in my business, and Jotform is one of them.
When I first started using Jotform, I wasn't trying to build some elaborate tech system for my resume writing business. I just needed an easier way to collect information from clients.
Like a lot of new business owners, I started lean. My very first intake form was built out of a Google Doc. It worked, but after a while I wanted something that looked more polished and professional. I landed on Jotform, and what sold me was two things: it gave my business a professional feel, and it offered integrations with other tools I was already using.
(Quick note: if you want to stick with Google Forms while you're starting out, that's completely fine. Use what works for where you are right now.)
Over time, Jotform has become so much more than my intake form. It's one of those behind-the-scenes tools that keeps my entire client process organized. If you're thinking about becoming a resume writer, it's one of the tools I recommend learning early.
The good news? You don't have to be a tech expert, and you don't need a complicated setup. Start with the basics and build from there.
Here's how I use Jotform in my resume writing business.
1. Resume Intake Forms
Before you start working with any client, you need an intake process. I use intake forms for two main reasons.
Reason one: free resume reviews and consultations. If you offer a free resume review or a 15-minute consultation, have the client fill out a short form and upload their resume beforehand. That way, you can review everything before you ever get on the phone.
Keep this form short. A few basics are all you need:
- Name, email address, and phone number
- How they heard about your business
- A link to a job description they're interested in
- How long they've been in their job search (multiple choice works great here)
- A spot to upload their current resume
That's it. Nobody wants to fill out an extensive questionnaire for a 15-minute call.
In the beginning, I had clients email me their resume, and we'd go over everything by phone. Sometimes they'd send the job posting; sometimes they wouldn't. As my client load picked up, I realized a streamlined form made everything easier for both of us.
Reason two: service questionnaires. The second type of intake form is for the actual service you're providing. Let's say you decide not to do a deep dive call with every client. Instead, you can send a questionnaire that covers the questions you would have asked on that call. This works for resume writing, interview preparation, career coaching sessions, or any other service you offer.
In my business, clients fill out the resume questionnaire after they pay their invoice. I'll be honest: for some clients, the questionnaire gives me everything I need. For others, it doesn't. Their answers tell me whether we need to schedule an additional call so I can walk through their experience and pull out the details that really matter.
Either way, the form gives me a consistent starting point with every client. And as your business grows, that consistency becomes really important. You don't want every client experience to look completely different.
2. Service Agreements
This is a feature I discovered more recently, and I love it: Jotform's PDF agreements.
You can set up a template for your service agreement with one standard link. Anyone you send that link to can sign it. You don't have to create a new agreement for every client. They sign, you sign, and you're good to go.
I'll be transparent here. The initial setup took me a little time, and it wasn't as quick as I expected. But once everything was entered and working, it became one of the easiest parts of my process.
Now, my welcome emails are simple. I send each client:
- The payment link
- The link to sign the service agreement
- The link to complete their questionnaire or schedule their deep dive call
Out of every system I've tried, sending a single link for the agreement has been the easiest by far. You create the process once, then reuse it. That's exactly what I want when I'm running a business.
3. Payments
Jotform also offers payment integrations, which is worth exploring if you want everything in one centralized place.
Personally, I process payments through Square. It's been reliable for me for years, so I use Square payment links while keeping my questionnaires and service agreements in Jotform.
My advice is to compare a few payment processors before you commit. Jotform works with options like PayPal and Stripe, and each one has its own requirements. For example, in my experience, Stripe reviewed my website as part of the setup process, and PayPal once let me know that it might place holds on funds after I reached a certain amount. That didn't sit right with me, so I stuck with Square.
That said, I'm seriously considering moving my payments into Jotform. Having payments, forms, agreements, and scheduling all in one place just makes life easier.
If you plan to use Jotform for payments, check the current plan requirements first. Some features may require a paid plan, so make sure your income justifies the investment before you upgrade.
4. Connecting Jotform to Other Tools
Once you're comfortable with the basics, this is where things get fun.
Jotform integrates with a lot of the tools you may already be using. Here's how I have mine set up:
- HubSpot: When someone submits my resume review form, they're automatically added to my contacts in HubSpot, which is my CRM.
- Asana: A submission also creates a new project for me in Asana. This is a lifesaver, because I manage my own client projects alongside my part-time resume writing work, and Asana is how I keep track of everything.
On the paid plan, you can also build workflows that keep things running smoothly in the background. Picture it like this:
Client completes intake → information is captured → project is created → you manage the client through your workflow.
You don't have to set all of this up on day one. But it helps to know what's possible as your business grows.
5. Connecting Jotform to AI Tools
If you use ChatGPT on a paid plan, you can connect your Jotform account to it. Then you can describe the form you need, and ChatGPT will build it for you. When you log into Jotform, the form is already there and ready to go.
If you're short on time or just don't want to build a form from scratch, this can save you a good chunk of time.
I'm still exploring this area myself, because there are some interesting possibilities for resume writers. Imagine collecting structured information from a client and using it to support an AI-assisted workflow.
You Don't Need to Build Everything at Once
If you're just getting started, please don't try to automate your entire business on day one.
When I started, I didn't have any money to invest in my business. I pieced things together one free tool at a time until I could afford to start integrating. That's okay. That's how a lot of us start.
Jotform's free plan is a great place to begin. It lets you create a limited number of forms (it was five when I started) and includes PDF features you can use for your contracts. Check Jotform's current plans to see what's included today.
Here's the order I'd recommend:
- Resume intake form
- Service agreement
- Payment process
Once you have clients coming in and you understand your workflow, then start looking at integrations and automation. That's exactly how I built my own system.
The Bottom Line
Jotform doesn't have to be complicated. At its simplest, it's a way to collect information and keep it organized. But as your business grows, it can help you create a smoother client experience and cut down on the repetitive admin work that eats up your time.
Start simple, stay consistent, and build as you go.
Ready to set up your first intake form? Get started with Jotform for free here.
Talk soon,
TaNiya
Helping professionals clarify their value, strengthen their positioning, and move with strategy in their job search
10 Ways to Land Resume Clients
Website: www.taniyaclayton.com | https://beacons.ai/tclayton
Email: careerservices@taniyaclayton.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/taniyaclayton
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