Executive CV Writing Service

Looking for an executive CV writing service? Here are some guidelines.

First: a short cut. Let’s get on a 10 minute call. One-to-one. We’ll discuss what you need. I’ll give you feedback on your CV. You can run with my advice. Or you can enlist my hands on help. I’m on gerard@wowcv.net, and Whatsapp: +27 83 744 5454 (my clients are worldwide.)

Do you need an executive CV writing service because:

• You just don’t have time to be ‘fiddling’ for hours with your CV?
• You’re feeling frustrated, you’re going in circles editing it?
• You’re not sure how to keep it to 2 or 3 pages?
• You’re not sure what to include, or how to make it stand out?
• You feel like your CV looks just so ‘average’, generic, lacking gravitas?
• You can’t find the words?

You don’t have time for this. Let’s get it sorted.

Here’s what’s ahead:

• What to Look for in an Executive CV Writing Service – 4 questions to ask
• How an Executive CV Writing Service Works – 6 critical steps
• What Fees an Executive CV Writing Service Charges
• Executive CV Writing Service Pros & Cons
• How to Get Me to Write Your CV
• Frequently Asked Questions

Now, on this page I’ll answer questions you may have. I’ll provide some warnings. And explain how an executive CV writing service works and what it costs.

Let’s dive in.

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An Executive CV Writing Service
– what to look for?

Here’s what you don’t want:

• To be dealing with someone who doesn’t have the experience to ‘get’ you
• To just have your existing CV ‘rehashed’ into a different format
• To feel like you’re not really being understood as a complex-skilled exec
• To not be asked the ‘tough’ questions that will help differentiate you
• For the service not to be guaranteed confidential.

Yeah, so you really do want to be dealing with someone personally. And that person should have some corporate experience, should understand what you do. They should have a good grip on what a Board or Exco, a CEO, CFO or COO looks for. What they look for. How to present to them.

It’s hard to figure this out. An executive CV writing service usually says the right stuff in their ads. But how do you know if they have the level of expertise you need? Easy way: give them a call. Talk to the writer.

You’ll know immediately. Do they have the depth? Good strategic ideas?

Here are 4 questions to ask and executive CV writing service, to enable you to judge wisely:

1. Will you be writing my CV?
2. Given my job title, what are the challenges are with a CV like this?
3. What’s your process?
4. What are the special challenges of writing an executive level CV?
5. What’s your CV writing philosophy / approach?

Allow them to speak. You’re not looking for a particular answer. Do they know what they’re talking about? Do they have a definite approach for executive level people? Do they understand your ‘world’?

(By the way: my number is +27 83 744 5454. You can interrogate me with my own questions! 😰)

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How an Executive CV Writing Service Works

Some executive CV writing services are really no different to a regular CV writing service.They may claim to be specialist. But I’ve seen examples of some of their work. And it’s pretty disappointing to see that they’ve just rehashed the old CV.

Yes, they’ve tidied the formatting up. And, yes, they’ve corrected some spelling mistakes. But clearly the CV writer was not sufficiently skilled to simplify, prioritise, re-design or rewrite it. They include standard cliches. Like: “Results oriented high level executive with demonstrated expertise in…”. So lame.

Rather here’s what a true executive CV writing service does. (Well, this is my process anyway.)

There’s the groundwork phase:

They talk to you before undertaking the project. You’ve got to be on the same page. It can be quite an intense process. It’s good to be sure you see eye to eye on what needs to happen.

Their information requirements are extensive. They’ll look for a list of items such as 360 degree feedback reports. Leadership and personality profiles (Enneagram, MBTI, etc). Performance reviews. Testimonials or references. Questions like: “what are some ‘against the run of play’ successes you’ve had?” will be asked. They’ll dig deeper: “what makes you great at what you do?”

They’ll try to get a deep sense of your ‘brand’ of leadership. You’ll find them asking you about the context you worked in. This includes budgets, revenue. The size of teams, who you reported to. What growth you achieved. How you saved resources. What innovation you introduced. Essentially, what you built, fixed, turned around. How you made a difference. This kind of information is very compelling. It provides a clear picture. It leaves no question marks. It builds trust, it’s persuasive

They engage with you personally. Yeah, you really want it all to happen one-to-one. But definitely you want to be sure there is a personal and open line of communication.

Then there’s the ‘in the works’ phase”

Analysis and writing will begin. The writer will study and analyse your info. They’ll draw up an outline of what information items should be prioritised. What needs to be featured? How you need to be positioned. Extensive research happens on matching job ads. On what potential employers are likely looking for. They’ll formulate some hard hitting, strong and clear, confidents statements. They’ll write the copy. Figure out how to format and lay the CV out.

Readability is factored in. Making the right things stand out. What interesting elements could improve the CV? Are there any unique innovations that can be included? What about a tagline? Or how can a strong testimonial from the Chairman of the board be included? They’ll build a colour scheme around it. Or perhaps they’ll create a graphic that really adds visual interest. They’ll put a draft together.

They’ll send you a draft. This draft will actually be quite complete. But obviously subject to your comments, corrections and questions. This happens via phone or video meeting or via email. You can make changes in MS Word in track changes. Or insert your comments in the PDF. Some of my ‘old school’ clients have printed it out and scribbled their notes. Hey, whatever works for you. The aim being to refine the draft. And then the final draft will be sent to you in MS Word (editable) and PDF.

Note: a CV is never really complete. It has to change slightly with almost every application you make. It’ll need to shift focus a little here and there to ensure you match a job ad. Your executive CV writing service should provide support in this respect.

Now, with this being the process, you’ll be wondering…

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What Fees an Executive CV Writing Service Charges

BEFORE YOU GO ON, you may want to just give me a call to see how I can assist you. Use this short-cut: my personal mobile phone number is +27 83 744 5454 (it’s in South Africa, but my clients are worldwide). Call any time. Or send me an email. I’m at gerard@wowcv.net.

CV writing fees vary. And for good reason. On the one hand there’s a real need for a basic CV writing service. Many people just cannot write even a basic CV. As an executive, this is not for you.

The thing is, as an exec (CEO, CFO, COO, MD, etc) you don’t need a typist. You need a strategist. Someone who understands positioning. Knows how to write in your voice.

This is not about pretty formatting. You need someone with experience. And that costs.

What you need is someone experienced in the corporate world. Someone educated sufficiently to know how to write and understand complex terminology. A writer who confidently at your level. A student of marketing and copywriting. This kind of combination of skills doesn’t come cheap.

So, you get what you pay for. A cheap executive CV writing service will get a cheap result.

Fees in the industry thus range from USD25 / ZAR300 (junior level basic, old style, very plain CV) up to USD600 / R9000 (depending on your level and the associated services you include – such as your LinkedIn.com profile, cover letters, a personal website, etc.)

MY executive cv writing service fees are on request only. I have products for Executive, Management, and Board level. And a package for over-50s (they face special challenges).

How to enlist my help: send me your existing CV and then let’s talk. And I’ll then send you my full table of fees and service details. I’m on +27 83 744 5454 or gerard@wowcv.net.

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Executive CV Writing Service Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Done for you, minimum frustration for you
• Relatively inexpensive compared to difference it can make
• More impressive result, more professional presence in CV and LinkedIn
• More compelling language, wording
• More compelling, impressive layout and formatting
• Focus on top priorities, what makes you an impressive candidate
• Interesting and attention getting features, perhaps a picture or a graph
• Modern approach, international approach, readiness for global market
• Expert treatment of ‘difficult’ situations you’ve had in your career or gaps
• Inclusion of leadership profile
• Inclusion of ‘hot’ testimonials of your work
• Inclusion of some branding, adding unique flavor and look to the document
• An experienced CV writer will also offer good job market and personal branding advice
• An experienced executive CV writer will support you with some job interview coaching

Cons:

• It’s a significant monetary investment
• It will take time. A high quality executive CV writing service is not a ‘sausage machine’. It doesn’t churn them out production line style. It’s a creative process. It’s not a ‘fill in a template’ or ‘paint by numbers’ process. From a writing and a design point of view.
• You have to participate in the process to make it your own.

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Conclusion

Right, so, you CAN write your CV yourself. There are good reasons to do this. But it can be frustrating. And mediocre result. Or you can use a cheapish service and get something perhaps tidy. But not so different to what you’ve got right now. Not strategic and value adding. It won’t differentiate you.

Or you can pop your info into a machine (AI) or resume creator online. It’ll spit out your CV with some impressive sounding copy. And it may look ‘designed’. But the document won’t hang together well. It won’t sound much like you. And it’ll have that contrived over-the-top language and look that AI delivers.

Or you can enlist an executive CV writing service. Preferably one which encompasses gives you personal service. An experienced writer. A skilled copywriter. Someone who has a long list of executive resume clients. And a service provider to works on a handful of projects, not masses.

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How to Get Me to Write Your CV

If you’d like to have a chat about what you need, I’m here for you. GIVE ME A CALL on +27 83 744 5454 (my personal mobile and Whatsapp) or email me on gerard@wowcv.net. I can get it done for you. Just a warning, I actually don’t accept working with everyone. But perhaps send your old CV to me, then let’s set up a discussion to see if we’re a match to work together.

Frequently Asked Questions: