CV and résumé writing FAQs, answered by certified experts

A chronological CV lists your jobs from most recent to oldest, with achievements under each role. It suits professionals with steady career progression in one field and is the format recruiters and ATS software read most easily.

A functional (skills-based) CV groups your abilities by theme instead of by job. It can help career changers or people with long gaps, but many recruiters distrust it and ATS tools may parse it poorly, so we usually recommend a hybrid instead.

A combination CV opens with a skills and achievements summary, then follows with a reverse-chronological work history. It gives you the clarity of a chronological CV with the skills focus of a functional one, and works well for career changers and senior professionals.

Choose chronological for steady growth in one field, combination for a career change or varied background, and a targeted or executive format for leadership roles. We review your profile and recommend the format that presents you best.

A targeted CV is rewritten for one specific role or job description, with matching keywords, skills and achievements placed first. It is the most effective approach when applying for roles you really want.

In India, the UK and the Gulf, CV and résumé usually mean the same short, role-focused document. In the US a résumé is brief, while a full academic CV for research or teaching roles is longer and lists publications, grants and teaching.

We write academic and research CVs, covering publications, grants, teaching and conference work. We generally advise against infographic or graphic-heavy CVs for corporate roles, as ATS software cannot read them reliably.

Most CVs include contact details, a professional summary, core skills, work experience, education and certifications. Depending on your profile we may add projects, publications, awards, board roles or languages.

Choose a clean, custom-written layout over a heavy template. Simple formatting is easier for ATS software and recruiters to read, and your content is written for you, not squeezed into a pre-made box.

Highlight your education, academic and personal projects, internships, certifications, skills, volunteering and achievements. Employers hiring freshers look for potential, so we present your strengths in a clean, confident one-page CV.

One page. Keep it focused on your most relevant education, projects, internships and skills, with a short career objective or profile summary tailored to the job you are applying for.

Yes. We tailor graduate CVs to your target role, industry and country, whether that is campus placements, a first job in India, or applications to the Gulf, UK, Canada or Australia.

Two pages is the standard for most mid-level professionals. We keep it focused on recent roles, measurable results and relevant skills, and condense older experience.

We turn responsibilities into results using numbers, scale and impact, such as revenue grown, costs saved, teams led or processes improved, so recruiters see the value you delivered.

We present gaps honestly and positively, using years instead of months where suitable, highlighting courses, freelance work or projects, and choosing a format that keeps attention on your strengths.

Yes. We build a combination CV that leads with transferable skills and relevant achievements, so recruiters see your fit for the new field before your job titles.

Listing duties instead of results, using one CV for every job, adding graphics that ATS cannot read, leaving out keywords, and writing long, dense paragraphs. We fix all of these as part of our writing process.

An executive CV focuses on strategic leadership, business impact and results, not daily tasks. It opens with a powerful executive summary, then shows P&L ownership, growth, transformation and board-level achievements.

Yes. Our CERW certified writers create CVs for CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, CMOs, COOs, CHROs, directors and VPs, positioned for executive search firms, board roles and confidential searches.

Typically two to three pages. Senior CVs have room for leadership scope, results and board experience, but every line must earn its place and show business impact.

A branded executive summary, core leadership competencies, quantified achievements (revenue, P&L, headcount, transformation), career timeline, board and advisory roles, education and professional memberships.

Yes. We write executive bios, board profiles and LinkedIn profiles that match your CV, so recruiters and search firms see one consistent leadership story.

Yes. We can anonymise employer names and sensitive details for confidential searches, and we keep all your information strictly private.

A director CV highlights functional leadership and delivery, a VP CV shows broader business ownership, and a CXO CV positions you as an enterprise leader with strategy, P&L, board and stakeholder impact.

Yes. We write executive CVs so search firms can quickly see your leadership scope, sector expertise and results, with a summary that works as a stand-alone pitch.

Yes. We use clean, ATS-friendly formatting with standard headings, and place keywords from your target job descriptions naturally, so your CV passes automated screening and still reads well for recruiters.

We analyse your industry, seniority and target job descriptions, then work the right skills, tools and job-title keywords into your summary, skills and experience sections without keyword stuffing.

100% human-written. Every CV is researched, written and edited by a professional writer, and none of it is generated by AI tools.

Follow the instructions in the job posting. When none are given, a text-based PDF or a Word file both work. We provide editable and ATS-safe files so you can choose.

We recommend adjusting your summary, skills and keywords for each role. We build a strong master CV so tailoring takes minutes.

Yes. We write cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, executive bios and other career documents, designed to match your CV so your application feels consistent.

It depends on the country. Photos and personal details are generally left off CVs for the US, UK and Canada, while some Gulf employers expect them. We format your CV to your target country's norms.

An SOP is a focused essay explaining your background, goals and why you fit a programme. Admissions committees use it to judge your motivation and clarity, so it can strongly influence your application.

At many universities the two terms mean the same document. Some institutions use LOP for a shorter, goal-focused letter. We always follow the guidelines of the university you are applying to.

A Letter of Intent states your intention to join a programme, fellowship or role and why. It is usually shorter and more direct than an SOP.

A LOR is written by someone who knows your work, such as a professor, manager or mentor. It vouches for your abilities and character, and should come from a recommender who can give specific examples.

We can help you structure the letter and prepare talking points or a draft for your recommender. The recommender must review, personalise and sign the final letter, because it must reflect their own views.

Selection criteria are the skills and experience a government or public-sector employer requires. We write evidence-based responses to each criterion using the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action and Result.

Follow the university's word limit. Most SOPs run between 500 and 1,000 words, or one to two pages. We keep every sentence relevant to your goals.

Yes. We tailor each SOP to the programme, university and country, whether it is an MBA, MS, PhD, research position or scholarship.

A personal statement is common in UK applications such as UCAS and focuses on your motivation, experience and suitability for a course. An SOP is usually more goal-focused. We write to the format your application requires.

You share your current CV and career details, we review your goals and target roles, and your writer prepares a tailored draft. You review it, request edits, and receive your final files ready to apply.

Timelines and revision rounds depend on your package and profile. We confirm both before starting, so you know exactly what to expect.

Pricing depends on your career level, from fresher to CXO, and the services you choose. Visit our Services page or contact us for a clear quote.

Yes. Your CV and personal details are used only to prepare your documents and are never shared with third parties. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Yes. We work online with clients across India and overseas, so you can get an expert-written CV from anywhere.

Yes. Many clients return when they change jobs or get promoted. Contact us and we will advise on updating your existing CV.