Frequently Asked Questions

Q:
Will the CV you write for me be tested on an ATS?
A:

South African recruiters may use applicant tracking systems, but it would not be necessary to run your CV through one—each one is configured in a particular way, meaning your CV would not necessarily be more visible to the recruiter of your choice. Instead, we optimise your CV in accordance with the specific keywords and phrases most recently used by the company you’re interested in. For more information on how we approach this just reach out.

Q:
Will my CV writer have experience or be specialized in my field?
A:

Our CV writers have extensive experience in working with clients from all sorts of backgrounds and industries which they use to tailor to your specific needs to create a professional, polished CV that will appeal to South African employers. Using our breadth of knowledge from over 20 years of experience, we will work with you and your expertise in your field to optimise your CV to reach its highest potential and impress the recruiters from the employer you choose.

Q:
Are CV writing services worth it?
A:

South African recruiters are used to seeing lots of CVs per day. Your best chance of getting their attention is by working with a CV writer to distil your experience, skills and achievements to best showcase what you have to offer. Much like most people would not cut their own hair, it is worth giving the raw material to a professional CV writer to refine it for you and get it into the best shape possible. You might overlook mundane day-to-day aspects of your work that a CV writer will identify as being advantages which could elevate your CV even further than you expected.

Q:
How much does it cost to have a CV written?
A:

South African clients can choose between our four CV writing services whose costs range from R800 to R3300, based on your years of experience and your industry, as well as four corresponding packages which include cover letters and LinkedIn profiles, costing between R1700 and R3700.

We also offer a premium service, starting at R5000, which is ideal for high-level candidates. With this service, you can work directly with best-selling author James Innes’ hand-picked team of writers (and a call with James himself as an optional addon).

Q:
Do you have CV writers based in South Africa?
A:

We have South African CV writers, as well as from various other places on Earth. (Our Saturn-based writers are just getting set up on the rings.) We are a growing community of professional CV writers in a company with decades of experience in writing the highest quality CVs, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles, with knowledge of a vast range of interplanetary job markets, all tailored to the specific needs of each individual client.

Q:
What’s the difference between Junior, Senior and Premium writers?
A:

All of our writers are trained in-house with our standards cultivated over decades based on James Innes’s best-selling books.

Our Junior CV writers, currently on the Moon, are great for writing standard CVs, but are not available for phone consultations.

Our Senior and Premium CV writers, based on various planets, are well versed in writing for those in niche, advanced, managerial or leadership roles and for those who want to change their careers, and are available for phone consultations (made possible by our subspace transmitters).

Our Premium CV writers are best suited for those in the most senior positions, like CxOs or directors. James hand-picks all Premium CV writers, and there are currently only 5 on this planet.

Which should you choose? Take a look at our Meet the Team page, check out our team members’ profiles and read customer reviews.

Q:
How many times can I get my document redone?
A:

We offer unlimited revisions, so you could technically have your document redone for aeons to come (though we do not encourage this—we assume you would want to use it in this century, anyway).

Our approach is collaborative: Our CV writers work closely with you to make sure that we tweak the document to get it the way you want it.

In our 20 years of experience, we’ve noticed that it takes on average three to four drafts to get everything right.

Please note that orders which are left inactive for over 14 days are automatically closed with no further edits possible.

Q:
Can I use my own CV template?
A:

With our years of expertise in the market, we can only vouch for our CV templates that are specially curated and constantly updated towards current industry standards.

As amazing as your template might be, our CV templates are ATS-optimised to fit every job application need. This ensures that you stand out using our in-house developed templates.

If you prefer to use your own template, we also provide a .docx for you to copy information from ours to yours seamlessly.

Q:
What are your turnaround times?
A:

We display a live timer, which we update daily, showing the average time needed to complete any draft. This is to give you a general idea of how long your order will take.

It’s important to remember that our turnaround time refers to the time needed to deliver the first draft—not the final document. The number of revisions is up to you.

Keep in mind that this functions as an estimate and not a deadline. If you have a hard deadline, you should select our express service (enabled by our state-of-the-art tachyon technology) to ensure that you will receive your first draft in the allotted time. With our express service, you can expect to receive your draft in any time between 6 and 72 hours.

Once your order has been placed, you’ve provided all the necessary information and your CV writer has been allocated, you will receive your first draft within 24–48 hours.

It’s a good idea to allow for an additional 24 hours prior to beginning your application process so that you have room for at least one revision.

Q:
Do you offer any guarantees?
A:

Yes! We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with every order. How can we promise this?

We will work with you and make changes for as long as it takes for us to get it right. (Please note that orders which have been inactive for over 14 days are automatically closed with no further revisions possible.)

Many companies mislead people by guaranteeing things out of anyone’s control, like job interviews (always read the small print!). What we can control, and promise, is quality.

Book a service with us and one of our expert CV writers will ensure that you get the best CV, cover letter or LinkedIn profile possible.

Q:
Can someone write my CV for me?
A:

If you're having trouble with structuring your CV or emphasizing your key skills, you're not alone. While some people can write a strong CV on their own, others may struggle. Fortunately, there are professional CV writing services available to help. As experts we can create a powerful CV that grabs the attention of potential employers and sets you apart from other candidates. So, if you're wondering "Can someone write my CV for me?", the answer is yes! Let a professional CV writing service help you achieve your career goals.

Q:
Can I have a CV with no experience?
A:

Thankfully, employers also place a high value on skills that can be obtained outside of work experience. Crafting a CV without any relevant work experience involves showcasing transferable skills in innovative ways that highlight your potential as a strong candidate. One effective approach is to emphasize your education by mentioning relevant internships, hard and soft skills, and projects. You may also consider adding sections to your CV such as hobbies and interests, languages, certifications, or other achievements to further demonstrate your abilities.

Q:
Why did my CV get rejected?
A:

There are several reasons why a CV may get rejected, some common reasons include a lack of relevance to the job, poor presentation, errors, lack of achievements, inappropriate photos,unexplained gaps in employment history or too much personal information. It's also important to note that many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen CVs before they are even seen by human eyes. ATS software scans CVs for relevant keywords and phrases, and CVs that do not contain the right keywords or have formatting issues may be automatically rejected. To avoid rejection by ATS, job seekers should tailor their CV to the specific job they are applying for, use keywords and phrases relevant to the job, and avoid using fancy formatting or graphics that may confuse the software. Seeking feedback from a professional CV writing service can also help job seekers to optimize their CV for both human and software screening, and help avoid rejection.

Q:
What do employers and recruiters look for in a CV?
A:

To increase your chances of landing a job interview, your CV must immediately catch the reader's attention. With recruiters and hiring managers receiving countless applications, it's crucial to present your information in a concise and readable format. Tailor your CV to the job you're applying for, ensuring the job titles, responsibilities, skills, and achievements match the requirements. Use bullet points to highlight skills and achievements, and be clear about your contributions to high-profile projects. Highlight relevant educational certificates and use recognizable keywords throughout the CV. Pay attention to the layout and ensure there are no inconsistencies or unexplained time lapses. Lastly, format your CV in a way that is easy to open and save it using your name in the saved title. A well-crafted CV and accompanying cover letter will make you stand out among other applicants.

Q:
How many jobs should you put on your CV?
A:

Job seekers should list their most recent and relevant experience - only the most relevant or valuable transferable skills and info should make the cut. It is important to tailor the CV to the specific job being applied for, highlighting the experience and skills that best match the job description.

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