There are so many Professional CV writers out there – from solo freelancers to huge agencies – that it can be overwhelming to try and decide who to work with.
Making the right decision for your individual needs helps ensure your job application documents reflect your experience and career aspirations.
We touched on this in a previous blog about why you should work with a CV Writing Company – you can read it here. But there was so much more to say that we decided to create a blog all about how to choose a CV writing service!
Here are the questions you should ask yourself to make sure you choose the best CV Writing Service for you.
Do they have the experience you need?
As a jobseeker, you have very specific needs, so the more relevant experience your CV writer has, the better your results will be.
When we talk about experience, we mean a couple of different things:
- Do they understand your industry?
This is particularly important if you are applying for specialised roles. Do they have experience writing CVs for people in your chosen industry or profession?
Your professional CV writer will need to understand any technical terminology and what specific qualifications and experience mean in relation to the position you are looking for, to help you make the best first impression possible.
- How long have they been writing?
As with any industry, some people will have been writing for longer than others. Freelancers and less experienced writers can be appealing as they charge less than larger businesses and agencies.
Just keep in mind that if they haven’t written that many CVs, they may not be able to help you with senior position applications in the way a seasoned writer could.
This is where research becomes important though, as the new writer may do a better job!
You also need to know that they understand Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) and the importance of using keywords in your documents.
What is included in the price?
Make sure you understand exactly what is included in the price before you send anyone money.
Ensure you know how many drafts of your CV you can get. Do they offer unlimited edits, or do you have to pay extra for any required revisions to your document? If they offer the latter, getting your CV written could become quite a costly process.
Do you want to have a telephone consultation, or would you prefer to fill in a form and have email contact instead? Different CV writers will follow different processes, so you should pick someone who matches your preferred style.
You should consider whether any kind of guarantee is offered. For example, a specific turnaround time is important if you have an application deadline to meet.
Do they have reviews?
Have a look around and see if you can find customer feedback on the CV writing service.
Don’t just look on their website, as they can pick and choose the best reviews to sit here. Looking at reviews on third-party websites is critical, as these are much more objective and will highlight both how great the service is, and any potential issues that could arise.
Check how recent their reviews are, and how positive they are – but even more important is how they respond to criticism. If they are reasonable, apologetic and explain what happened, you know they will be professional to work with.
Where are they based?
Different countries have various requirements for a successful CV – which means writers around the world create documents for their clients accordingly.
If you’re based in the UK but talking to a professional CV writer based in the US, the likelihood is that they will write your CV in American English, rather than British English.
This might not seem like a big problem, but it will be noticed by recruiters – so your application documents won’t be fitting your needs. Similarly, if you’re applying for jobs in another country, you need to make sure UK-based writers understand what needs to be in your CV.
If you want to learn more about writing a CV that works internationally, you can check out our blog post about it here.
Can they help you with other parts of your application?
Your CV is just one part of the application process. Choosing a writer who offers additional services is a bonus as that means you get support in other elements of your job hunt too. This helps you to create a slick, uniform first impression across your professional communications.
Complementary services to your CV document could include:
- Writing your cover letter
- Optimising your LinkedIn profile
- Providing you with interview coaching
We hope that this blog has given you some pointers on how to choose a CV writing service.
Our main advice is that you should talk to as many companies as possible before deciding. You want your CV writer to tick all the boxes we’ve mentioned above, but the connection you build with them is important too.
If you click with someone immediately and feel like they get who you are and what you want to achieve, chances are they will be a great fit. If you have any other questions about working with a CV writing company, then please do get in touch – we’d love to help in any way we can.