Find The Best CV Writing Company
With the majority of job seekers now using the Internet to support their job search, numerous CV writing companies are starting to pop up providing simple "cut and paste" services, thus resulting in less reliable - and often unscrupulous - practices while also damaging the CV writing industry as a whole.
Follow these few simple steps to help you select the best service available:
High prices = high quality
This isn't always true. While it may be appealing to select the company charging the highest prices, you should always remember that it's the quality, not the cost of your CV that matters. Unless the company has sufficient experience and a proven background, prices mean nothing. Similarly, where low prices can be tempting, these services often turn out to be basic 'typing' services.
Examples of work
If a CV writing company are refusing to send you an example, ask yourself, 'what are they hiding'? Some companies claim that this is because of the Data Protection Act; however, it isn't difficult to send example CVs with all personal details removed. When you do receive an example, review it carefully - ensure it isn't purely a 'one-size-fits-all' template.
The "Personal" Touch
Always ask how the company will work WITH you when writing your CV. If they don't offer consultations by phone or email then ask how they are going to extract all relevant experience and achievements.
In addition, when investigating a potential service, try calling them and make sure there is always someone around to speak to. Many websites provide a phone number which will always divert to an answerphone.
After-Sales Care
Do the CV writing company offer sufficient after-sales care? How many times can you amend / update your CV? Will there be a charge? Also, enquire about guarantees.
Hidden contact information
Look for sites with full contact details and not just hidden behind an email address and PO Box. Try using a service, such as http://who.is/ to identify the website owners and contact details and when the website was created - are they well established? Are their details hidden?
Experience of CV writers
Many CV services outsource their work overseas at a low price. With this low price, more often than not, comes low quality. Ask who writes their CVs and what their experience is.
Fraudulent reviews
Many companies now resort to creating fictitious review sites claiming to provide an impartial critique of various CV services. However, upon further investigation, these sites are actually created by the same business usually ranked at number 1 on these so-called ‘reviews’! Try searching Google for external review sites where IP addresses are logged to prevent fake reviews. Also, type the company name into Google and try and find comments on message boards, etc.
Selling / sharing your information
Check that the CV writing company never sell / share your details without your permission. Check they are registered Data Controllers using http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/ and always check their Terms and Conditions.
