What I Actually Do as a Professional CV Writer

Before I explain my process, there’s something worth mentioning.

I’m a real person, an independent professional CV writer with a real business, a real website and over 150 genuine five-star Client Reviews. When you work with me, you work with me directly from start to finish. I don’t pass your CV to a junior writer, outsource it overseas, or have AI produce it. I write every word, and every conversation is with me.

People often ask me, “What am I actually paying for?”

It’s a fair question.

Most people think a professional CV writer sits at a computer, tidies up a few sentences, changes the font and sends the document back a few days later.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The writing is actually the easy part. The hard part, and the bit that really makes the difference, happens long before I’ve typed a single word.

Here’s exactly how I work.

Step 1 – Getting Started

Once you decide to move forward, I’ll send you two emails.

The first explains the process we’ll use. It’s a bit of security for you because I want you to know exactly what you’re getting before we begin. No surprises and no hidden extras.

The second email asks for three pieces of information that give me a solid foundation for our discovery call. I’ll also attach your invoice.

Step 2 – The Discovery Conversation

This is where the real work starts.

Armed with the information you’ve sent me, we’ll have a conversation that can last an hour, sometimes longer.

I’ll ask lots of questions about your career, many of which you’ve probably never asked yourself.

If I ask, “Tell me about your role,” most people start giving me a job description.

That’s not what I’m looking for.

I want to know what you actually achieved.

How many people did you manage? What budget were you responsible for? What changed because you were there? What problems did you solve? What improvements did you make? What made you different from the person who did the job before you?

If I’m not sure about something, I’ll keep digging until I completely understand it.

Every position is different, every career is different, and every client is different. If I’m writing about you, I need to understand your career properly.

One thing I always do, and something many CV writers don’t bother with, is explain the purpose of each role.

Not what you did. Why you were employed to do it in the first place.

That single sentence gives recruiters immediate context, particularly if they’ve never worked in your industry before. It helps everything that follows make sense.

Step 3 – Producing Your First Draft

Once I have everything I need, I’ll produce your first draft.

That draft isn’t simply a rewritten version of your old CV.

It’s built from everything we’ve discussed, plus my own research into your industry, your profession, and the type of roles you’re targeting.

Step 4 – Reviewing Every Word

We then get back together over the phone and go through your CV word for word.

And I really do mean every single word.

You’re the expert in you. I’m the expert in presenting your experience in a way employers want to read.

That review usually takes another hour or so because every sentence matters. It’s thorough, it’s detailed, sometimes it’s quite clinical, but it’s also enjoyable because by now you can actually see your career coming together.

Step 5 – Unlimited Revisions

Once we’ve finished that review, I’ll make the changes we’ve discussed and send you another draft.

Then we do it again. And again if necessary.

We keep doing this until you tell me you’re completely happy.

It might take three drafts. It might take thirty-three drafts. The price stays exactly the same.

I don’t stop until you’re happy.

Step 6 – Understanding ATS

A professionally written CV is only part of the process. I’ll also walk you through how Applicant Tracking Systems actually work. There’s a lot of misinformation online, and understanding it properly gives you a real advantage over applicants sending the same CV to every vacancy. You can read the full breakdown on my ATS-friendly CV guide.

Step 7 – Two Bespoke Cover Letters

I’ll also produce two bespoke cover letters, and explain how they support your applications and why they still matter. More on my approach here.

Step 8 – LinkedIn Optimisation

Your CV and your LinkedIn profile should tell exactly the same story. I’ll transfer your CV across, tidy up your profile, and take you through the settings that determine whether recruiters can actually find you. Full details on my LinkedIn Optimisation page.

Step 9 – Putting It All Together

Finally, we’ll look at live vacancies together.

I’ll show you ATS in action, explain how recruiters search for candidates, show you how to set up effective LinkedIn job alerts and demonstrate how to tailor your applications properly.

By the time we’ve finished, you’ll understand far more than simply how to write a CV. You’ll understand how modern recruitment actually works.

So What Am I Actually Doing?

I’m not simply writing a CV.

I’m uncovering achievements you didn’t think were worth mentioning. I’m asking questions you’ve probably never been asked before. I’m finding the evidence that proves your value. I’m adding context so recruiters immediately understand why every role mattered. I’m giving your achievements real scope with numbers, scale and measurable results.

Most importantly, I’m creating a document that makes an employer want to meet you.

That’s the job. That’s what a professional CV writer should do. It’s certainly what I do.

If you’d like to know more about my process, take a look at How I Work, browse my Portfolio or read what over 150 clients have said on my Client Reviews page.

Why Hire a Professional CV Writer Instead of Doing It Yourself?

I’ll be honest: most people try writing their own CV first, and I completely understand why. You download a template, put your information into it and think, “How difficult can it be?” If you’ve never written a CV before, that’s exactly what I’d probably do as well.

If it really were that simple, though, I wouldn’t have a business.

It’s a bit like losing weight. We all know the theory. Eat a little less, move a little more, and the weight comes off. In reality, we all know it’s nowhere near as straightforward as that. Writing your own CV is very similar. The problem isn’t that you can’t write, because most people can. The problem is that you’re writing about yourself.

You’re simply too close to your own career.

Over the years, I’ve spoken to hundreds of people, from apprentices and graduates to company directors and chief executives, and they nearly all do the same thing. They tell me what they did, not what they achieved.

“I managed a team.” “I was responsible for sales.” “I looked after customers.”

That’s a job description.

What I want to know is: how many people were in the team? Did sales increase? By how much? What was the size of the budget? What problems did you solve? What changed because you were the person doing the job and not somebody else?

Those questions uncover achievements, and they’re the answers employers really want to see.

Most people never think to ask themselves those questions because they’re simply doing what they’ve always done. What feels ordinary to you is often exactly the thing that makes you stand out from every other applicant.

Then, of course, there’s AI.

These days, many people don’t even bother with a template. They go straight to ChatGPT, Gemini or one of the many AI CV builders that have appeared over the last couple of years. They copy and paste their career history into a box and expect a brilliant CV to come out the other end.

Can it produce something that looks professional? Absolutely. Can it produce a well-written document? Usually.

But here’s the problem.

AI only knows what you tell it. It can’t ask the follow-up questions that I ask. It doesn’t know you’ve forgotten to mention the project that saved your company half a million pounds, or that the team you managed grew from five people to twenty-five under your leadership. It can’t challenge you when you say, “I just did my job,” because it doesn’t know that what you think was ordinary is actually exceptional.

I use AI myself. I think it’s an excellent tool for research, checking ideas and helping with admin, but I don’t use it to write my clients’ CVs The reason is simple. A CV isn’t just about writing. It’s about understanding the person behind it, and no software can replace a proper conversation.

That’s probably the biggest difference between writing your own CV and working with a professional.

A professional CV writer isn’t paid because they know where to put commas or because they can make a document look attractive. They’re paid because they know which questions to ask, how to uncover achievements forgotten over the years, and how to present them in a way that makes an employer stop reading and think, “I’d like to meet this person.”

Your CV is one of the few documents that can genuinely change the direction of your life. It can help you earn more money, change careers, gain a promotion or secure a job you’ve always wanted. Yet it’s amazing how many people only think about it when they suddenly need one.

If your current CV is getting interviews, then perhaps you don’t need me, and I’d be the first person to say so.

If it isn’t, then maybe it’s time to ask why.

For me, every CV has one job. It has to make an employer want to meet you. Everything else is how we achieve that.

What Should You Look For in a Professional CV Writer?

If you’ve decided that you’d like some professional help, the next question is obvious.

How do you choose the right CV writer?

There are hundreds of us across the UK, all making similar claims, promising interviews, and saying we’re experts. Some are excellent, some are average, and like any profession, a few probably shouldn’t be doing it at all.

So, if I were looking for a professional CV writer myself, these are the questions I’d be asking.

Do They Actually Speak To You?

For me, this is probably the biggest one.

If the first thing you’re asked to do is complete a questionnaire and email it back, I’d be asking why.

A questionnaire has its place. I ask clients for information before we speak because it gives me a starting point, but it should never replace a proper conversation.

The best information comes from talking. Follow-up questions matter.

When you tell me you managed a project, my next question is, “Tell me about the project.” When you tell me you managed a team, I’ll ask how many people, what changed under your leadership and what you achieved together.

You can’t get that level of detail from a form.

Who Is Actually Writing Your CV?

This is another question that’s worth asking.

Are you speaking to the person who’s going to write your CV, or a salesperson?

Will your CV be written by the person you’ve built a relationship with, or will it disappear into a queue and be passed to somebody you’ve never met?

When you work with me, I’m the person you speak to, the person who writes your CV, and the person who works with you until you’re happy.

There aren’t any handovers because there’s no need.

Do They Use AI?

There’s nothing wrong with using technology to make life easier. I use technology every day.

What I don’t do is ask AI to write my clients’ CVs or use templates that make everyone’s CV look the same.

Your career is unique. Your CV should be unique too.

If you’re paying for a professional service, ask whether your CV is being written from scratch or whether it’s being produced from a template or an AI prompt.

I think that’s a perfectly reasonable question.

Can They Explain Their Process?

A good CV writer should be able to explain exactly how they work. Not in vague marketing language. In plain English.

How long is the consultation? Will you see a draft? How many revisions are included? What happens if you’re not happy?

Those are all sensible questions, and you deserve clear answers before you spend any money.

That’s why I explain my entire process before I ask anyone to commit.

Can They Show You Their Work?

I’d also ask to see examples. Not because I expect them to share another client’s confidential information, but because I want to see their writing standard.

I’m proud to show prospective clients examples of my work, and you’ll notice something straight away. No two CVs look the same.

That’s because no two careers are the same.

If every example follows the same layout and wording, I’d wonder whether they’re truly bespoke.

What Do Previous Clients Say?

Finally, look at the reviews. Not just the testimonials on a website.

Look for genuine, independent reviews that have built up over time. Read what people actually say about the service they received.

Did they feel listened to? Did the writer understand their career? Did they get interviews afterwards?

Those are the things that matter.

I’ve been fortunate enough to receive more than 150 five-star Client Reviews and I’m incredibly grateful for each one because real people wrote them after working with me.

One Final Thought

Choosing a CV writer is a bit like choosing any other professional.

You’re not simply paying for a document. You’re paying for experience. You’re paying for judgement. You’re paying for someone who knows which questions to ask, how to uncover your achievements and how to present them in a way that gives you the best possible chance of securing an interview.

Take your time, ask questions and choose someone you genuinely feel comfortable talking to.

After all, they’re going to be writing about you. I happen to believe that’s a responsibility that should never be taken lightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth paying for a professional CV writer?

Only you can answer that. If your current CV is getting interviews and you’re happy with the results, then probably not. If you’ve applied for dozens of jobs and heard nothing back, or you’re changing careers, aiming for a promotion or don’t know how to sell yourself on paper, then I’d say it’s well worth considering.

A CV isn’t an expense. It’s an investment in your career, and hopefully an investment that pays for itself many times over.

Can you guarantee I’ll get an interview?

No, and I’d be very wary of anyone who says they can. Nobody can guarantee an interview because none of us controls the recruitment process.

What I can guarantee is a professionally written, bespoke CV that gives you the best possible chance of securing one. I’ll also work with you until you’re happy with it, however many drafts that takes.

Do you use AI to write CVs?

No. I write every CV.

I use AI for research, checking ideas, and staying up to date with recruitment trends. Still, I don’t use it to write my clients’ CVs You’re paying for my experience, my judgement and the conversations we have together, not for something produced by a computer.

How long does the process take?

That depends as much on you as it does on me.

Some clients need their CV urgently because they’ve seen a vacancy with a closing date only a few days away. Others prefer to take their time.

I never rush a CV. We keep refining it until you’re completely happy.

How many drafts do I get?

As many as you need. It might be three. It might be thirty-three. The price stays exactly the same.

I don’t stop until you tell me you’re happy with the finished document.

What information do you need from me?

Not as much as you probably think.

I’ll ask you for a few pieces of information before we speak, but the real work happens during our discovery conversation. That’s where I’ll ask the questions that uncover your achievements, your strengths and the things you’ve probably forgotten over the years.

Will my CV work with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)?

Yes. In fact, I don’t just write an ATS-friendly CV; I explain how ATS actually works.

There’s a lot of misinformation online about Applicant Tracking Systems. During our consultation, I’ll show you how they work, how recruiters use them and how to tailor your CV for different vacancies without rewriting the whole document every time. You can also read more in my ATS-friendly CV guide.

Do you write CVs for senior executives?

Yes. I’ve worked with school leavers, graduates, skilled tradespeople, managers, directors, CEOs and business owners.

Every level has different challenges, but the process is the same. Understand the person, uncover the achievements and present them in a way employers understand.

Do you specialise in military and police CVs?

Yes, it’s an area I know particularly well.

As a veteran myself, I understand the challenges of translating military experience into language civilian employers understand. The same applies to police officers moving into the private sector or changing careers.

The biggest challenge is rarely your experience. It’s translating that experience into terms employers immediately recognise.

Can you help with LinkedIn?

Absolutely. Your LinkedIn profile should support your CV, not contradict it.

I’ll transfer your CV into LinkedIn, improve your profile’s appearance, and then walk you through the important settings many people don’t even know exist. I’ll also show you how recruiters search for candidates and how to set up effective job alerts. You can read more about my LinkedIn Optimisation service.

Do you write cover letters?

Yes. Every package includes two bespoke cover letters.

I’ll also explain when to use them, how they support your application and why they’re still an important part of the recruitment process.

Why should I choose you?

That’s entirely your decision.

There are some excellent CV writers in the UK, and I’d never tell you otherwise.

What I can say is that when you work with me, you work directly with me from beginning to end. We have proper conversations; we work through your CV together; I include unlimited revisions; I teach you how ATS works; I optimise your LinkedIn profile; and I don’t stop until you’re happy with the finished result.

If that sounds like the sort of service you’re looking for, I’d be delighted to work with you. 

John Logan Professional CV Writer