Why buy a professional CV service?

Many people utilise professional CV writing services, and there is no shame (nor negatives) in doing so, when you choose the right provider.

In fact, imagine a document that is so professionally written and on-point that you'll wonder why you hadn't gone to a professional CV writer before. That's what happens when you have a consultation with your writer, and you use a writer who has undergone years of training and education to focus on strategic written communications, writing to advertise and proofreading/editing.

Many people believe that actually it's quite an accolade to be at a stage in their life when they can outsource their CV writing. After all, isn't it sensible? We in the industry liken it to plumbers, electricians or roofers - they are experts in their trade, and you wouldn't do more than you possibly could in these areas unless you are highly experienced and qualified.

Read on to find out why it really is the best decision you'll ever make.

Who gets their CV professionally written, and why?

The most common reason that people use professional CV writing services is that they no longer can see the wood for the trees - they are too 'in it', subjective, and do not know where to start in terms of cutting things out to appeal to the right job. They have added new role upon new role, culminating in a lengthy, off-focus document that does not serve their purpose.

Then there are the people at the other end of the scale, those who are just starting out and have the means (from their parents for example) and want to start as they mean to go on, to take their first steps in the world of work or gain entry to a prized degree / master's degree.

There are those people that continually use CV services throughout their career because they realise early on that they are not natural writers or that it's far more sensible to get an objective pair of eyes on this most important of documents. And not only an objective pair of eyes, but a professional writer's objective pair of eyes!

Many people use these services because they know that their use of the English language is not perfect, and they want to ensure their CV does not let them down in this manner. This can be due to English not being their first language, or spelling/grammar/sentence formatting generally not being their forte.

A key reason people come to a professional is that they've heard about CV scanning software (or ATS), and they want to make sure their CV is optimised for it. What many people don't realise is that often their template (use of tables, text boxes, columns, pictures and/or PDF) is severely holding them back - ATS often struggles to read text held within such formatting.

Enter the professional CV writer, an independent pair of eyes with objectivity and understanding of all these critical nuances, a strategic partner who holds a consultation with you, asks the right questions and writes the new CV towards your next position.

What are the negatives?

None if you use the right service! However, below are listed some common concerns.

Cost

So, CV writing is not free - you have to pay for it! What is £100, £200 or £300 in comparison to an extra £5,000-£30,000 in your pay packet, and your career transformed? This is the reality for people who have used Winning CVs and jumped up a rung or two in terms of remuneration and level.

Will it be obvious I didn't write my own CV?

A common concern is that your CV will obviously look professionally written. As mentioned previously, this is not actually a negative - it will show that you care enough about your CV to get it done right. Further, who's to say you didn't write it yourself? It is common practice to miss out the 'I', 'him' and names in CVs, for a few reasons: it cuts out repetition, it's obvious the CV is about you, and it instantly raises the level of professionalism and conciseness.

Generic, De-Personalised Content

Your CV could also look and sound flat and uninteresting if using the wrong service. Use the right service and the end result is the opposite.

Why not go to one of the cheaper companies?

• Large companies (usually the cheapest) generally use freelancers and you risk a great deal: that they have little experience, are not remarkably skilled writers, aren't dedicated to writing excellence, or wish to spend little time on your CV due to low pay.
• Due to schools often focussing on creativity as opposed to grammar accuracy, today's writers often do not place high importance on grammar and/or are not 'au fait' with the complexities of it.
• Many writers / companies don't hold a consultation with you first to establish key achievements, skills, goals and character traits - resulting in a weak CV.
• Without a consultation your CV will most likely not reflect you and you risk feeling very let down and out of pocket.
• Another risk if using the wrong service, as mentioned above, is that your CV will look and sound flat and uninteresting. Use the right service and the end result is the opposite.

What does a good CV service look like?

Clarity

Provision of clear detail to the client on timelines, and information on what to expect.

In-depth Consultation

Your writer should spend time studying your existing CV to write a list of questions that will result in value-added material - for example clarity on role scope, accountabilities, responsibilities, value-adding activities, outcomes, and/or business benefits.

• Further, the consultation should allot some time to generalised questions about you, your career plan, what matters to you in your work, and your positive character traits.
• Finally, the consultation should leave the writer with no doubts about the value you have added and therefore can add to other organisations.

Without a consultation, there is a limited amount of value a rewrite can bring.

Attractive, Professional Template

Your writer should use an aesthetically pleasing template that suits your level and sector, without tables, text boxes, columns or pictures. Because colour is subjective, it's best to keep to safer colour ranges and volume - keeping it to a minimum so as not to put off your reader.

Clear Titles & Skills

A good CV will have clear sections on page one with skills - Winning CVs puts the most important of these first of all in the header with a title (subject to change as per job you go for), and expands on these in the key skills section below the opening paragraph - to help the reader understand you and your suitability for the job at hand.

A Highly Engaging, Impactful Opening Paragraph

Given that it is the first sentence people will read, it is essential that the very first sentence in the opening paragraph is engaging and powerful. Winning CVs makes sure that this summarises the value you've brought in your career, and makes it clear who and what you are. Later sentences will cover other key value, core skills and character traits - ensuring people/leadership skills and further specialisms are part of the package.

Clear Achievements

Your achievements need to be quantified by figures where possible. This is for numerous reasons, largely that they're easy to spot/scan through by the reader, and it makes the reader in no doubt as to the value you provide. Winning CVs creates an Achievements section on page one - a marvellous tool to shout about those points that you really want the reader to know prior to getting stuck into the rest of the CV.

Role Introductions & Action Points

Each position should be introduced by a short paragraph with role scope and main accountabilities, summarised. This then leaves room to concentrate the bullets largely on actions with outcomes or 'cause and effect' past-tense statements.

Winning CVs is highly experienced, CPRW accredited and able to create a document that accurately reflects the very best of you. With in-depth consultation, completely fresh rewrite and open-minded changes conversation to complete the service, you won't find better value.

To organise a short conversation about your current CV and how it can be improved, please don't hesitate to call Becky on 07928 525 882, or email Becky at becky@winningcvs.com.

*The CPRW credential is the global industry standard for professional resume writers and distinguishes those who are highly experienced and committed to professionalism. It is awarded to those who have earned the credential by passing the PARWCC resume writing exam and abiding by the Code of Ethics established by PARWCC.

*PARWCC (The Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches) was founded as the first association for career professionals in the world. Its goal is to provide opportunities for career professionals to exchange information, enhance their skills, and demonstrate their commitment to providing high-quality professional services to today's job seekers.