CV Writing Services

CV and Application Coaching  

If you are not securing interviews, the issue is rarely your experience. It is usually how that experience is structured, positioned and evidenced. I work with experienced professionals, senior leaders and ambitious candidates who know they are capable but need their CV or application to reflect that clearly and strategically.

This is not a generic CV writing service. It is expert positioning.

Common problems I see

Even strong candidates struggle to:

• promote themselves confidently
• demonstrate impact rather than responsibility
• translate experience when changing sector
• position themselves correctly when moving between contract and permanent roles
• articulate transferable skills at a more senior level
• optimise their CV for recruiter search and LinkedIn visibility.

A CV can be well written and still fail to signal seniority, show outcomes or align clearly with the role being targeted. The difference is rarely effort. It is judgement.

CV coaching

When I review your CV, I focus on:

• positioning, evidence and alignment
• Does the document clearly communicate the level you operate at?
• Are outcomes and impact visible?
• Is it tailored to the roles you are targeting?

We refine structure, language and emphasis so your CV reflects the level you are operating at, not just the job titles you have held. The detailed process for how we work together is outlined on the Typical Coaching Session page.

Application and personal statement coaching 

Application forms are often more complex than they appear. You may be answering the question but not answering it in the way the panel is assessing. Together we:

• interpret what the employer is really testing
• identify the strongest examples from your experience
• structure your answers strategically
• strengthen evidence and clarity
• ensure your credibility and judgement come through. The full process is explained on the Typical Coaching Session page.

Civil Service applications 

I coach candidates applying to the Civil Service across the UK. The assessment framework varies by jurisdiction. In England, recruitment operates under the Success Profiles framework. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, separate competency-based frameworks apply. While the terminology differs, the principle remains the same: you are being assessed against defined criteria and your evidence must align precisely to those expectations.

Most Civil Service applications include a blind CV and a Personal Statement. At Grade 7 level and below, some campaigns require a shorter Personal Statement alongside separate 250-word Behaviour examples. At more senior levels, particularly Deputy Director and above, the Personal Statement carries significant weight and must demonstrate both strategic leadership and operational delivery.

Because CVs are blind, they must communicate level and impact without relying on organisational prestige or context. Because Personal Statements are tightly structured and often word-count restricted, clarity, prioritisation and alignment are critical. The work is detailed and time-consuming.This requires significant investment and careful planning

I do not write applications for you. That distinction matters. My role is to help you position yourself accurately at the right strategic and operational level for the role you are targeting. We identify the strongest examples, refine structure, sharpen evidence and ensure alignment with the framework being assessed. The detailed process for how we work together is outlined on the Typical Coaching Session page.

Candidates who approach Civil Service applications in this way are more likely to progress through sift. Equally important, they develop the clarity and confidence to approach future applications more strategically, increasing both their conversion rate and their willingness to apply for stretch opportunities.

Request a consultation

Application support varies depending on complexity and scope, but it is important to understand that this work requires focused time. A CV typically involves two to three hours of structured review and refinement. A Personal Statement often requires three to five hours of development, depending on level and word count. This is detailed, collaborative work and it is rarely possible to complete it well at short notice.

Because we work iteratively and schedule structured review sessions, I generally recommend allowing at least two to three weeks before the deadline. I am normally booked up a week ahead. This ensures we have sufficient time to position you properly at the right strategic and operational level for the role.

If you would like to explore application coaching, please complete the consultation form outlining the role, level and deadline, and attach your current CV together with any draft Personal Statement or previous application.

I will review your information and come back to you personally. If it looks like I can help within your timeframe, I will send you a link to book a consultation so we can talk things through and agree next steps.