Professional CV writing recommendations

The OP wrote in July 2021, that's nearly 4 years ago.
I should hope she has a new job by now!

You just open Microsoft Word and type CV, or Resume in the search box and various templates come up. Just choose the one you want, download it and fill in the details. An introductory paragraph can sell yourself a bit.

I've screenshotted one of the templates here - my screenshot has chopped the bottom part off, but you get the idea :-)

Except I can't work out how to upload a photo? Has that option been removed?

I don't think you need a service. Do you have a computer? Microsoft Word has various CV templates that look very professional and you just fill in the details.

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There are a lot of sensible comments above. I used to be in Human Resources where I read thousands of CVs. After further qualifications, I worked as a career coach for 15 years helping lots of people with their CVs as well as training and presenting on CV writing (among other business consultancy). As I am retired I don't take on paid work but would be happy to review you CV for free if you'd like to send it through to me.

Reported.

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Thanks Nana, would you be able to pass on the company details?

I can actually recommend using a service.

I was in a similar position to you and despite being in Marketing was struggling to write a succinct CV that also highlighted my acheivments.

The service I used asked for my current CV and then I had to fill out a huge questionnaire.

One week later I had a revision of my CV , I asked for a couple of changes and then sent it out and got 2 job offers from my first 3 interviews. At a senior level that was pretty good going. All I did was tweak to make sure it mirrored everything asked for in the job description.

I think it makes a huge difference to have someone look at your CV with fresh eyes. Mine had served me well for 30 years but had become a little tired.

Id say go for it, its money well spent if you get the job you want.

Firstly I would look at job descriptions for the type of employment you seek. You can see then what skills and competencies are required. Give thought to your transferable skills and competencies for later inclusion n your CV.

Using the net write a basic CV with the relevant points included. Always write to the specific job advert. You do not have to say everything in your CV. Just enough to get an interview.

Going to a specialist agency is a good thing but they too will require a CV. They would let you know when suitable jobs arise and either forward your CV or ask you to do one specifically for that job.

Additionally you can also send out speculative CVs if you know of companies who are involved in the type of work you require. You will also need to do a covering letter. Most companies expect you have some knowledge of their business and this can be referred to in a covering letter.

As in many things much of the skill is in the preparation. Treat getting a job as a job in itself.

Good luck

Jeanseberg there are lot of very good tutorials oline. DD has just been job hunting (very successfully) and she honed her skills with these tutorials. She is in her late 40s, so not much younger than you and is moving into Management Consultancy with a large firm of consultants at middle managment level, so not dissimilar you

Employers now expect all CVs to be tailored to the job you are applying for, in a way one never did in the past and she rewrote her CV for every job application.

She also found that a lot of employers now had CV proformas. There is now so much pressure on them to treating everyone equally regardless, of age, gender, colour etc. These forms are often very structured. She also found that both CVs and interviews were looking for competencies and skills rather than experience, ie, what competencies and skills your experience had given you rather than just looking at experience.

Current thinking in Recruitment Consultancy is to attach less weight to CVs , as employers are preferring to use the top agencies or “headhunters” for the best positions.
I think going on the books of a good Recruitment Agency in your own specialist field would be your best first move.

I’ve gone from Ops director 6 years ago to head of ops now and for my next role I want something less senior eg office manager, Exec PA, office administrator. Plus I’m about to give notice in my current role with no job to go to and that feels like a lot to get on 1 or 2 pages. Would still be interested to hear from anyone who has used a professional service

Google CV templates. You might find it easier to fit your experience into one of these?

It’s more a re-writing service I guess, how to summarise 30+ years of experience in one or two pages, reasons for leaving current role and that I’m looking for a role with slightly less responsibility next time. Happy to pay a reasonable amount of money for someone that can help make sense of all that along with a good cover letter.

This is something you can definitely do for yourself. CVs should be short and to the point. One A4 page, or two at the most.

I have never seen a "professionally" produced one that was any better than a personally written one.

If you really don't know how to start there are plenty good examples online.

This can be quite costly if you use a professional service. i have jsut re-written mine (and got the job!). There is plenty of information online to give you hints and tips.