Executive CV Writer

This phone chat provides a valuable opportunity to ensure you select the most appropriate CV package that caters to your unique needs.

My personal support - During the conversation, I will explain my strategy, including the assistance and communication you can expect during our partnership. The goal is to make you confident in my abilities to create documents that will increase your chances of being granted an interview.

You speak to me - Not a junior, contractor, or "CV factory" agent. Every CV is created by human intelligence, reflecting your individual profile without using mass-produced approaches.

Urgent needs? - If your requirements are urgent, please book a call and fill out my form as completely as possible. This will give me the necessary background to assist you quickly and effectively.

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We carefully tailor your CV to meet the employer's selection criteria, ensuring a precise match with their requirements.

CV Writer Certification and Memberships

I am a graduate in information services (BLIS) and a founding member of the UK-based CVRA, which provides professional certification and education for CV and resume writers worldwide.

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Can we chat before I make a purchase?

Yes, before placing an order for any CV package, we can schedule a brief consultation to discuss your CV needs and the best approach. For packages costing £205 and above, we can schedule Zoom or phone meetings at mutually convenient times to further discuss your needs and to fine-tune the documents. It would be helpful for me to review your current CV and the job advert or job specification before our first meeting.

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It's a common misconception among senior professionals that they can send a generic CV or skimp on parts of a job application due to their seniority. However, failing to align your CV with the job's selection criteria almost guarantees that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) will filter it out before it reaches a human reviewer.

Essential Components for Executive Job Applications

The pillars of executive applications include the CV, the Cover Letter (or e-note), and the LinkedIn Profile.

• CV Adaptation - Your CV should be a tailored summary of your qualifications, skills, experiences, and achievements, specifically adapted to the job's selection criteria.
• Cover Letter Crafting - the cover letter, or e-note, condenses the crucial aspects of your CV into a brief and compelling argument for your candidacy.
• Selection Criteria Response - It's often formally required to directly address the job's selection criteria, detailing both your mandatory and desirable attributes. However, It's always essential to address the selection criteria, whether you're asked to or not.
• Your Peer Network- LinkedIn is becoming increasingly important for positions where a peer network is desirable or essential, and it's also where you may get interview offers or be headhunted.

Every element of your application must subtly convey how well you fit the employer's specific requirements, even if they're not clearly stated. If deducing the employer's hidden expectations from the job advert proves challenging, don't hesitate to call the recruiter, contact the employer directly, or consult your professional network for insights. Engaging in this detective work to uncover their unspoken criteria ensures your application is tailored, and has a competitive edge.

For rapid assistance or advice on tailoring your executive application, booking a call and completing my form with detailed information is the most effective strategy.

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Selection criteria outline the specific skills, experiences, and personal qualities ('attributes') that an organisation considers valuable in potential candidates, a factor that is particularly vital for executives aiming to match an organisation's strategic goals and culture.

These criteria often encompass a mix of core and desirable skills, underscoring:

• Leadership excellence and effective team management capabilities.
• High-level educational achievements and relevant career experience.
• Strategic thinking and knowledge specific to the industry.
• Global exposure, reflecting a broad worldview and adaptability to diverse cultures.
• Significant achievements that have positively influenced past organisations.

Commonly referred to as Job Specifications, Position Requirements, and Competency Frameworks, these criteria act as a comprehensive guide for applicants, covering both the technical skills required and the personal attributes favoured.

Executive CVs & Selection Criteria

To address selection criteria in an executive job application, it is important to understand the employer's explicit (stated) and implicit (what you can research and/or deduce) requirements and align them with your own attributes, and performance record. This includes:

• Providing detailed and specific examples of how you meet the criteria.
• Having a good understanding of the organisation's strategic aims and how your attributes and experience align with them.
• Having a good insight into who you are as a professional and being able to communicate that effectively in your application.

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Book a call with me

You can speak to me - I personally help you address a prospective employer's job selection criteria and craft your CV. I do not use junior writers or outsource the work to third parties. You can speak to me by phone, text or video.

Here are some advantages of my personalised approach for executive CV projects:

• We work together - We'll talk about your career goals, work history, skills, and experiences to for me to learn more about you as a professional.
• A tailored CV - Then, I'll use the information I've gathered to write a CV that shows off your most important accomplishments, skills, and experiences in a way that matches the job requirements and what the employer wants, which makes it more likely to be shortlisted.
• A focus on your strengths - This personalised CV service will help me highlight your unique strengths and qualifications that make you the best fit for the job.
• A well-written, personalised CV increases your chances of success in the job application process.
• CVs that are tailored to a specific job and employer have a higher chance of passing ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), which are used by many employers to screen applications.
• Critical feedback - I will give you fearless and personalised feedback on your CV, which will help you improve it.
• Attention to detail - I will ensure your CV is error-free, well-formatted, and visually appealing.

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A CV built around achievements

My approach enhances your leverage in job applications by developing a unique CV that accentuates the tangible impacts of your professional achievements, rather than a mere chronology of past roles.

⇒ The value you add

In emphasising value addition, I demonstrate your capacity to offer deep and insightful contributions to the employer while driving strategic decisions with a blend of intellect and emotional intelligence—an attribute increasingly valued in high-level executives.

⇒ Your ability to solve problems

I create a narrative of your ability to navigate and resolve significant business challenges, demonstrating not only strategic problem-solving skills but also the emotional acuity to manage and lead through change. This perspective is particularly compelling to potential employers who value leaders that can balance logic with empathy.

⇒ Your financial acumen

The CV confirms your financial acumen, detailing how your initiatives have led to increased revenue, cost efficiencies, and transformative projects, all underpinned by an emotionally intelligent understanding of stakeholder impact.

⇒ Your capacity to innovate

Your innovative and original contributions are also highlighted, emphasising the forward-thinking and creative advancements you've pioneered, backed by the ability to inspire and bring people together for a common cause.

⇒ Your ability to lead and motivate

Leadership is framed not just through outcomes but through the lens of emotional intelligence, highlighting your ability to cultivate teams, enhance communication, and make an impactful impression on a range of stakeholders, demonstrating a leader who understands the human side of business.

⇒ Your commitment to excellence

Finally, your unwavering commitment to excellence is portrayed as a by-product of your professional and emotional acumen, reinforcing your reputation as a leader who elevates standards in recruitment, product development, and customer experiences through a keen understanding of people and processes. This comprehensive reflection ensures that your CV resonates not just with the expectations for the role but also with the emotional depth and understanding required for leadership positions.

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Steer Clear of Application Missteps:

⇒ Ignoring Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

The primary hurdle is applicant tracking systems (ATS), which reject up to 70% of CVs at the initial screening for failing to align with the employer’s selection criteria, signalling the imminent end for generic CVs.

⇒ The 'obviously AI' application

Relying heavily on generative AI for job applications can be a double-edged sword, particularly for senior executives. While AI can streamline the process and produce polished content, it often lacks the nuance, depth, and personal touch that recruiters value. Overusing AI risks creating applications that feel generic, fail to address specific selection criteria, and overlook cultural fit—essential elements for executive roles.

⇒ The One-size-fits-all CV

Using the same CV for multiple executive applications, even with a tailored cover letter, is a critical mistake. It’s unlikely to pass an ATS and won’t impress recruiters. Instead, tailor your CV for each role, highlighting how your unique skills and experience make you the ideal candidate.

⇒ Mismatch with Selection Criteria

An executive CV that fails to reflect the specific attributes and experiences outlined in the job advert signals to employers that you’re not a serious candidate. To stand out, your CV must be meticulously tailored to align with the employer’s selection criteria.

⇒ Not Researching the Employer

At the executive level, employers expect you to have thoroughly researched their culture, ethos, strategy, market position, and competitive landscape. These unwritten selection criteria should be thoughtfully integrated into your application documents to demonstrate your suitability, insight, and ingenuity.

⇒ Not Emphasising Transferable Skills

In cases where your direct experience is lacking in certain areas, demonstrating the effectiveness of your transferable skills is essential. Employers value candidates who can adapt their expertise to new challenges and achieve results. By highlighting these skills—be it leadership, strategic thinking, or problem-solving—you can bridge gaps in your experience and convey your potential to excel in the role.

⇒ Overly Stylised CVs

Prioritise simplicity over excessive styling in your CV. Graphics-heavy or overly designed formats can confuse ATS systems, reducing your chances of success. Additionally, many organisations and jurisdictions reject CVs with photos to avoid potential claims of bias related to gender or ethnicity.

To avoid the pitfalls and boost your chances of an interview, focus on crafting a CV that is not only clear and concise but also accomplishment-focused, bespoke for the job in question, and compatible with ATS requirements.

Career strategy