Interview with Jason Tomlin

We Will Write Your CV - Resume Writing Service

In tough economic conditions employers may take just a few seconds to glance at each of the many CVs or resumes that they receive when shortlisting applicants for interview. Resume writing services are in high demand, and this is a this may be a potential home based business idea for you.

Hi Jason. Welcome to Successful Home Based Business.com and thank you for contributing your time and expertise for this interview.

Is there much demand for a CV writing service?

Jason: There is a demand. Many people are wary about writing their own CV. They may not have the confidence to knowhow to sell themselves to the target market. Also, it can be difficult to secure a first interview let alone a job when economic times are tough. So people know that their CV needs to stand out. It’s one of the most important documents you own. Your life, career and achievements on maybe 2 or 3 pieces of A4! Also a good CV can influence how much you can earn.

Where do most people go wrong when writing a CV and what is needed to make your CV stand out?

Jason: People tend only to think about a CV when looking for a change in employment or if they are currently out of employment. Tough economic times have seen people flood the jobs market. The number of CVs I have seen handed in to me with people going through the motions of the recruitment process is alarming. There are currently over 2 million people out of work in the UK. So firstly having a CV is a good start.

In this day and age people have very little time. Imagine one vacancy with over 100 applications and one person deciding on your CV. Does your CV stand out? Contact details are important, name and address are accurate, and telephone numbers and email address are up to date. (People change mobile phones quite frequently) once all these are down it’s all about you.

Achievements are what get recruiters excited. If you are applying for a position in the same field with a different company they want to know clearly what you have achieved and how you can benefit their company. Recruiters also want to know what position you are currently in, how many people you manage and the accountabilities you have in your role. If the business you are in is results and numbers driven then put that in the achievements section. It’s easy to talk through your achievements at the interview stage if the layout of your CV is correct. But remember know your numbers! Another benefit of talking through your achievements at interview stage is passion, because you achieved them you will talk through them confidently and passionately at the interview stage.

Key competencies are also a vital part of a successful CV. More and more recruiters use specialised techniques to assess a candidate competency base. Your education is also a key achievement which shouldn’t be overlooked. Be proud of what you have achieved in University or through internal training programmes.

And finally hobbies, after reading through the serious detail recruiters want to know how you relax, socialise and spend time away from work. Be honest if you like to relax using twitter then put it down as long as there is nothing you tweet that can harm your chances!

Why don’t individuals get their recruitment agencies to write their CV for free?

Jason: They can do. When you go to a recruitment agency they will create a CV which they send to prospective employers. However, you may not get to see what they have written. So you often cannot use a recruitment agency CV if you make direct applications for jobs.

Also, when an employer gets a CV from a recruitment agency they know that they will have to pay a substantial fee if they employ the applicant – often 15% of annual salary or more. When you send in your own CV the employer knows that they will not have to pay a 15% recruitment fee if you get the job. This can really work in your favour with prospective employers.

How would someone get customers for a CV writing business?

Jason: Partly it’s the same as with any other small business. You need to find a way to advertise your business. However, it’s also very helpful to get news about any local job vacancies that arise. Then you can use social networking ideas like Twitter to tell people about these vacancies and to offer your CV writing services. Marketing is vital to driving traffic to your website as well as word of mouth. Using Google, LinkedIn and other free business directories are also good to drive traffic to your website. The key is job sites as there is a direct link with people looking for a job in need of a professional CV.

Having a name for your business that tells the customer exactly what you do can also help. For example, our web site 'We Will Write Your CV.com' tells the customer exactly what we offer. Having a website that matches what you are selling. We have different packages which suit everybody. Also the pricing needs to reflex the level of the service. We offer packages from Bronze to Platinum but don’t compromise on quality. We also offer a free CV review which helps support the customer.

What skills and experience do you need to be a good CV writer?

Jason: There are some simple skills like listening. Putting the customer first is vital to our success. When constructing achievements you need to ask the correct questions in order to build the correct profile so having the ability to consult is also a vital skill. Having a good understanding of how business works - and the recruitment process - also supports a good CV writer. Good interpersonal skills are also important in getting the customer relaxed and open into sharing their experiences with you. Lastly, be honest with your customer.

What sort of costs are there for someone setting up as a part time CV writer?

Jason: Investing in a good website is crucial. Your time is also a key part of setting up the business. Have a detailed business plan. Start up cost is relatively low. You can use a wide range of free resources to market your services. I had a budget of £1,500. I spent £1,000 so had made £500 before I even started.

Thank you Jason. I'm sure that many people will be inspired by your advice - either to think about starting their own CV or resume writing service or even to be able to give some advice to family and friends who face the task of writing their resume.

You can find more details about Jason Tomlin's CV writing business at the We Will Write Your CV web site, or Facebook - and you can follow announcements on Twitter atwillwriteyourcv.

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