How to get maximum value from your CV consultation

Help me to help you!

When you order a full CV re-write from CV Shed, it includes a consultation of 15 to 45 minutes. During this call, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your specific requirements and career aspirations. We’ll also discuss any information that is missing from your CV, so that I can fill the gaps and prepare a compelling, informative document. We may not need to cover every point below (depending on the information you provide upfront) but we may discuss: 

Your ideal job

The best CVs are targeted towards a specific job, so it helps if you have some idea of the type of role, or the job title, or even just the industry, that you’re interested in. If you’re applying to one particular role, please email me the job advert in advance so that the CV can be tailored exactly to that role. If you don’t have a specific job in mind, I will produce a master CV focused on your ideal job that you can then tweak to meet the requirements of individual job adverts. 

Dates

In addition to the dates of employment for each role you’ve held, I’ll probably need to know the year that you completed each qualification and training course you’ve done. If you can have this to hand, it means that your first draft will be as complete as possible. I’ll need more detail on your recent activity than your earlier career.

Missing information 

If I can identify anything that's not currently coming through on your current CV, which would make it stronger, add keywords or give clarity, I'll prompt you for more detail on the various roles you've held. 

Your achievements

It’s a tricky one, but come to your consultation prepared to brag! I promise it won’t sound arrogant by the time it’s written into the draft. Think about how you’ve excelled, contributed and succeeded in your roles over the last 10 years. Don’t tell me “it wasn’t that kind of role” or “my main achievement was surviving!” – that doesn’t help me to differentiate you from other job applicants. If you’re struggling to come up with anything, try looking back over previous performance reviews, speaking to colleagues and looking at what you’ve been involved with beyond your standard job description. My blog post about achievements might help too.

Your USP

Your USP is your Unique Selling Point. Why should a recruiter call you to interview ahead of any other applicants? What can you offer that they can’t? If you can help me to articulate this, in terms of your values, skills or expertise, your CV will be stronger. 

Focus!

Remember that the consultation is time-limited, so try to stay on track so that we can cover everything we need to. Extra time can be purchased in 15-minute increments but is rarely needed if we can stay on topic. 

Don’t worry!

The consultation is a chance for us to have a chat and to help me understand your needs. It’s not a job interview and it’s not a problem if you don’t have all the answers! I’m not trying to put you on the spot or trick you, I’m just trying to make your CV as strong as it can be, so that you can get moving in your career. 

Stay in touch

If you think of anything to add, or you need to provide further information, you can email me at any time throughout the process. I will always consider all details that you provide and write them into the draft if they add value. Similarly, if you have any questions at any stage, just drop me a line. 

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact me here.