CV writing services - Any good?

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paulfoel
paulfoel Posts: 5,819 Forumite
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in Employment, jobseeking & training
Some seem cheap and some expensive but there are so many...

Is it even worth bothering? If so, which one?
Cymru am Byth !!! :j:j:j
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  • tuftyclub
    tuftyclub Posts: 158 Forumite
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    http://www.cv-masterclass.com/ a cv from them got me a lot of interviews. recommended
  • paulfoel
    paulfoel Posts: 5,819 Forumite
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    tuftyclub wrote: »
    http://www.cv-masterclass.com/ a cv from them got me a lot of interviews. recommended

    Thanks - I'll take a look....
    Cymru am Byth !!! :j:j:j
  • ferien_uk2011
    ferien_uk2011 Posts: 175 Forumite
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    http://www.thecvstore.net/Free-CV-Review.php

    You can get one free review here. Not very extensive, but I got some useful feedback on my CV from it.
  • Strike
    Strike Posts: 54 Forumite
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    ferien_uk2011 wrote: »
    http://www.thecvstore.net/Free-CV-Review.php

    You can get one free review here. Not very extensive, but I got some useful feedback on my CV from it.

    I would be careful using these 'free CV checks' because ultimately they are a business and will want you to re-do your CV via them.

    I submitted a copy to the above address today and had a prompt reply. Some of the advice was helpful (more an oversight on my part) but a great deal of it was also in complete contradiction to other websites etc.

    I personally use http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv.htm#is because it gives constructive advice but allows you to develop your own style of CV.
  • wantsajob
    wantsajob Posts: 705 Forumite
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    The best advice is free. There's plenty on the internet, like at the Kent Uni website above. You just need to sit down a few hours and apply your brain. Draft and redraft. I doubt there are any CV companies that offer a money-back guarantee if you don't get a job.
    Wanted a job, now have one. :beer:
  • WPN
    WPN Posts: 403 Forumite
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    paulfoel wrote: »
    Some seem cheap and some expensive but there are so many...

    Is it even worth bothering? If so, which one?
    Tricky in this climate. A decent CV writing service should get you an interview (which is a stage further) but might not be likely to secure you a job. My personal opinion on this matter is those CV services are overrated. Don't get me wrong the presentation and content of the CV is important, but unless they lie (which as you know and probably told a million times... is a criminal offence) or distort the truth you aren't bringing anything more to the table than your experience and education.

    There is so many people applying for jobs these days even a good CV might not get you an interview if there are worse CVs claiming better suitability for the position.

    Simply, you need to ensure that spelling and grammar is sorted out - but importantly that the CV flows. Sentences regardless of vocabulary used shouldn't make someone tongue-tied. Write the personal profile last. Keep the CV to 1-2 pages. I have a conspiracy that those who include written references or letters of support with their application (even when not requested unless they request you not to specifically) does better than those who just list either referees to be contacted or say they are available (keep them on your CV either way though).
  • paulwf
    paulwf Posts: 3,269 Forumite
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    In my opinion a CV is only going to be 100% effective if it is tweaked for each job. I've seen CVs that ramble on for paragraphs about work experience in completely different fields then cover relevant work experience in just one sentence. They completely miss the target because they are aimed at a different job.

    With modern word processing packages I think there's no excuse not to modify a CV for each application. The best people to review your CV are probably those slightly older from the era when the "3 R's" were taught at school...I'd say at least 90% of the CVs I see would be binned if I applied the standards I would personally expect to see for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
  • shailesh
    shailesh Posts: 404 Forumite
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    http://www.cvhelp4u.co.uk offer a free review.

    As has been said above best to get a free review first and then go from there. Get some feedback on your CV then down to you if you make changes yourself or ask someone to do them for you.
  • Mr_Smith_3
    Mr_Smith_3 Posts: 109 Forumite
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    Monster's advice not good enough? I wouldn't recommend paying for them when you can get free advice in here and on genuine job sites.
  • chaddyb
    chaddyb Posts: 4 Newbie
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    like evrything else i guess there are good ones and the not so good. I have used them in past and not been that impressed but my sis who is in marketing got made redundant few months ago and her company bought her cv writing from an outfit called perfectcvs and she got massive response from agencies and is now back in work, so like I said good and bad!
    Chaddyb
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