I am going to be applying for new jobs but don’t feel confident when writing about myself in a persuasive way. Would it be a good idea to pay for a professionally written CV?
For a job application to be effective it needs to be written by someone who has a deep insight into your abilities, personality and achievements. This must be supported by an excellent understanding of the company and position you are interested in. The person best placed to produce such a document is you. If you seriously feel you’re not capable of writing your own CV, perhaps you should reconsider applying for the job. A professionally written CV may not represent the ‘real’ you, and can lead to unrealistic expectations. And how will you live up to these expectations when you’re interviewed?
Most people dislike writing applications and as a result, the number of ‘professional’ CV writers has increased, with some promising instant career success. A CV is not a ‘one-off ’ investment. It would be a mistake to think you can get value for money by reusing an expensive CV. An excellent application for one job or employer may be inappropriate for another.
The ability to communicate effectively is highly-prized by all employers. If you are paying to have your CV written, does this mean that you lack these vital skills? Decide where your problem lies – if you don’t know the best way to structure a CV, then buy a book on CV writing which covers the various formats or visit the ACCA Careers section of www.accaglobal.com where you can use the online CV builder. If you find it hard to look at yourself and describe what you find, then consider attending a careers workshop. Again you will find lots of private counsellors and coaches offering these services. Ultimately you need to find your own words to describe your talents. Now that is a trick you can use again and again.