How Much Do Executive CV Writing Services Cost?

How Much Do Executive CV Writing Services Cost?

How Much Does a Reputable Executive CV Writing Service Cost – and Why

CV writing services span a wide range of price points. At the top end, experienced executive CV writers typically charge £750–£1,500+ for a single document. At the lower end, you’ll see services advertised for £75–£350.

The difference in pricing usually reflects more than just the CV itself. It’s tied to the writer’s expertise, the level of customisation you’ll receive, and the time invested in understanding and articulating your career story.

If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of job applications and
give yourself a genuine competitive edge, our CV Reviews and
CV Template Bundles are designed to help you stand out in even
the toughest hiring markets.

CV Reviews – Save £60
If you’re not sure your CV is truly working for you, our
Professional CV Review Service provides in-depth, recruiter-level
 feedback on content, structure, and ATS compatibility. You’ll receive
a personalised action plan showing exactly what’s holding you back
and how to fix it, so you can apply with confidence. Use discount code
PCVR60 at checkout to save £60 and give your next application the
competitive edge it deserves.

CV Template Bundles – Save £40
Prefer to write your own CV but want a proven framework? Our
CV Template Bundles include an ATS-friendly, recruiter-approved
template, plus our storytelling framework, metrics tracker, CV checklist,
and scorecard - everything you need to create a document that sells
your skills and achievements. Use discount code CVTB40 to get
£40 off and start building a CV that gets noticed for all the right
reasons.

These tools pull back the curtain on the hiring process, cutting
through the smoke and mirrors so you understand exactly what
employers and ATS systems are really looking for

For first-time buyers, the variety of options can feel overwhelming. To help you navigate the industry, here’s what you can generally expect at each tier:

Entry-Level CV Writers (£100–£350)

  • Designed for: Students, graduates, or early-career professionals

  • Process: Often template-driven, with limited or no live consultation

  • Risks: Many lower-cost providers outsource internationally or rely heavily on AI, producing documents that lack nuance or strategic positioning

Mid-Range CV Writers (£350–£750)

  • Designed for: Mid-career professionals with 5–15 years of experience

  • Process: More personalised, often including a phone or video consultation

  • Value: Allows for stronger tailoring of achievements and clearer alignment with target roles, though still less bespoke than premium services

Executive-Level CV Writers (£750–£1,500+)

  • Designed for: Senior executives, directors, and C-suite candidates

  • Process: Highly consultative, with in-depth discussions to understand complex career paths and leadership impact

  • Value: Writers at this level specialise in distilling multifaceted career stories into concise, compelling narratives that resonate with executive recruiters and hiring managers

In short, when you’re targeting senior-level positions, the investment in a top-tier service reflects not just the document you receive but the strategic expertise behind it.

Why Do CV Writing Service Costs Vary So Widely?

If you’ve never worked with a professional CV writer before, the range of prices can be surprising. Some providers charge less than £100, while executive-level writers can charge £1,000 or more. The difference comes down to three key factors:

1. Experience and Expertise

There’s a direct link between price and quality in the CV writing industry.

  • Entry-level writers may rely on templates or automated tools.

  • Top-tier writers are often Certified Professional Résumé Writers (CPRWs), hold advanced degrees, bring real-world corporate experience, and understand how executive recruiters assess candidates.

This expertise enables them to strategically position your career story for senior-level searches, not just reformat your work history. Their fees are often comparable to other professional service providers, typically equating to £100+ per hour.

2. Time Investment and Process

A low-cost service is usually high-volume: minimal consultation, standard templates, and limited customisation. By contrast, premium services invest significant time in:

  • In-depth consultations

  • One-to-one collaboration

  • Tailored writing that reflects both your career trajectory and target roles

This added investment translates into a stronger, more marketable document.

3. Quality of Deliverables and Outcomes

Ultimately, the value of a CV lies in how it performs. A carefully crafted, recruiter-ready document can cut months off a job search by helping you secure interviews faster.

By contrast, low-cost providers often produce CVs that are full of clichés, errors, or weak phrasing — documents that clients later have to pay to have rewritten. As career writer Jenny Foss has pointed out, “There is (quite literally) no barrier to entry in the CV writing industry,” which means due diligence is essential.


3. Time Investment

Creating a strong executive CV isn’t something that can be rushed. A well-written, recruiter-ready document takes time, strategy, and collaboration.

Be wary of services that promise a polished executive CV in just a few hours. Shortcuts often mean you’ll end up with a templated document that doesn’t truly reflect your value.

A thorough executive CV writing process should include:

  • An in-depth consultation to uncover your unique achievements, strengths, and career goals

  • Strategic content planning to align your experience with your target roles

  • Drafting and refinement to ensure clarity, precision, and impact

  • Multiple revisions to fine-tune language, structure, and alignment with recruiter expectations

  • Attention to detail to ensure accuracy, ATS compatibility, and consistency throughout

The true value of a CV writer lies not just in their ability to wordsmith, but in their ability to ask the right questions — the ones that draw out accomplishments you may have overlooked or underplayed.

If you’re only seeking editing or feedback rather than a full rewrite, you’ll naturally pay less. But for executives pursuing senior-level roles, the difference between copyediting and a full strategic rewrite can mean the difference between being overlooked and being shortlisted.

At the top end of the market, writers charging £750+ per CV typically dedicate 8–10 hours per client. This allows for the depth of analysis and quality of execution required to deliver a document that performs in highly competitive executive-level searches.

Should I Pay Someone to Write My CV?

Think of hiring a professional CV writer as the career equivalent of investing in a well-tailored suit for an interview: it’s about creating a powerful first impression.

If you’re targeting an executive or C-suite role, investing in your CV is not just reasonable—it’s strategic. Spending even 1% (or less) of your annual salary on a document that can help you secure a higher-paying role, faster, is a sound investment. The expertise, perspective, and industry knowledge a seasoned CV writer brings can significantly shorten your job search and boost your career trajectory.

Much like engaging a financial adviser to maximise portfolio returns, working with a top-tier CV writer is about maximising opportunities and outcomes.

Why Be Skeptical of “Affordable” CV Writing Services?

If you find a service offering an “executive CV” for under £150, it’s wise to be cautious. At that price point, corners are usually being cut in one or more of the following ways:

1. Compromised Quality & Overuse of AI
Some providers rely heavily on generic templates or AI tools to mass-produce CVs. While AI can support the process, it cannot replace the strategic insight and nuance required to craft a compelling executive CV that positions you for high-level roles.

2. Outsourced Writing
Lower-cost services often outsource projects to overseas writers. This can lead to errors, cultural missteps, or language that simply doesn’t align with the expectations of executive recruiters.

3. Lack of Personalisation
Affordable services frequently skip the one-on-one consultation. At the executive level, a personalised discussion is critical for uncovering achievements, career milestones, and leadership impact that don’t come through in a basic questionnaire.

What Qualities Should I Look For in a Professional CV Writer?

When evaluating services, look for evidence of professionalism, credibility, and proven results:

  1. Certifications & Affiliations – Membership in organisations such as the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC) or the National Résumé Writers' Association (NRWA) demonstrates credibility.

  2. Client Reviews – Check reviews on independent platforms such as Trustpilot or Google. Consistent feedback (positive or negative) will give you insight into what you can expect.

  3. Writing Samples – Review examples of their work. Do they look polished, professional, and recruiter-friendly?

  4. Experience with Your Level – Ensure the writer has worked with senior professionals and understands the complexity of executive roles.

  5. Writer Background – Find out who will actually write your CV. Do they have a strong academic, corporate, or writing background?

  6. Process – Opt for a service that includes an in-depth consultation and iterative revisions, rather than a one-size-fits-all template.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Before committing, ask yourself:

  • Does the company lack independent reviews or a visible online presence?

  • Are their prices “too good to be true”?

  • Do their samples use flashy or unconventional formatting that recruiters may reject?

  • Will you work directly with an experienced writer, or will your project be passed down the chain?

If you can’t confidently answer these questions, it’s worth looking elsewhere.

In Summary

Professional CV writing services vary widely in price, but you often get what you pay for. A high-quality executive CV is a strategic investment that can accelerate your job search, increase your chances of landing interviews, and set you apart in a competitive market.

If you choose wisely—seeking out an experienced, credible writer with a tailored process—you’ll walk away with more than just a document. You’ll have a career asset that opens doors.

To find out more, visit our website www.cvpilots.co.uk If you have any further questions, you can either book a consultation call with one of our team, or get in touch via email on team@cvpilots.co.uk