Executive
CV Writer

A pitch perfect CV for executives and the C-Suite, political,
managerial, public sector and professional appointments.

CV Pricing

I'm Elle, Leicester born and bred, and the owner of Midlands CV Writer. I will personally work with you to create your CV and supporting documents for a a managerial, executive, public sector or professional appointment, delivering them in both MS Word and PDF formats. Turnaround time is usually 2 to 7 days, depending on your needs and my workload.

Prefer to chat first? Phone or message me: 07537-133-488, Text me: 07537-133-488 , Facebook me, Whatsapp me, or ideally, fill in the form.

Schedule a phone call with Elle

Click on the phone, anytime night and day, to book a complimentary 15 minute call at a time that suits you.

Like to chat first?

Please complete this form to outline your situation and schedule a 15-minute chat to discuss your needs. I will revert with available time and date options.

Select a CV option:

Executive CVs, Cover Letters, Linkedin Profiles & Addressing Selection Criteria
Description Purchase
1 Professional Executive CV
⇒ Align for general opportunities
 £129
2 Professional Executive CV, Cover Letter and Linkedin Profile Makeover
⇒ Align for a specific opportunity
 £205
3 Professional Executive CV, Cover Letter and Addressing Job Criteria
⇒ Bespoke for a specific opportunity
 £255
4 Professional Executive CV, Cover Letter, Addressing Complex Job
Criteria and Linkedin Profile Makeover
⇒ Bespoke for specific job application(s)
 £295

Board-Level (C-Suite) Applications

Like a museum curator selects and arranges artefacts to tell a story, your professional narrative must be carefully shaped to place emphasis on achievements and experiences that align with the target role.

Item Description Purchase
5 C-Suite Job Applications £395

Board-level applications

The more senior the role, the more competitive the job hunt. More...

Creating a compelling CV for a senior executive role is akin to crafting a targeted marketing campaign for an elite audience. It's not merely about listing every skill or achievement; it's about curating content that aligns precisely with the employer's needs.

  • Selection Criteria Audit

    We research what your potential employer truly seeks* in an ideal candidate. It's our essential first step towards creating a bespoke application.

  • Insight into Your Future Employer

    We go beyond the usual basics - JD and application documents - investigating the company's ethos, key players, and the broader industry landscape. With this knowledge, your application gains depth and context.

  • Skills and Fit Analysis

    We assess how your personal attributes, experience, and track record, align with the employer's selection criteria. This guides our strategy to effectively highlight your strengths and address, downplay, or subtly mitigate any potential weaknesses.

  • CV Drafting

    We use our discoveries to draft a CV that speaks the language of accomplishment and ambition, tailored for the eyes of those who will likely determine your next step.

  • CV Polishing

    With care and human intelligence, we refine your CV, ensuring it not only aligns with the employer's expectations but also captivates and convinces.

  • Complementary Materials & Online Persona

    We extend our crafting to cover letters and bios, building a rich narrative of your professional life. At the same time, we polish your online presence for consistency and impact.

  • The Application Process

    The finale of our collaboration is submitting a package that's not just complete but compelling, significantly boosting your chances of being shortlisted.
This process, while bespoke, lays out a strategic path for executives looking to advance. It's about more than just finding a new job; it's about crafting your narrative and positioning you for the success you're aiming for.

Each client has unique service needs, so this illustration is intended to demonstrate the general principles. *Where no specific job specification is being targeted, the general selection criteria for the sector or job classification may be used to tailor applications, but this is sub-optimal.

Rates (over £205) for Midlands CV packages include Zoom or phone meetings as required. Extra charges may apply for complex Selection Criteria. Please note that I can only schedule Executive CV projects after I have been retained and an order placed. If you need to address complex selection criteria, please allow at least a week ahead of the closing date of the job application.

Ask a Question

⇒ QUESTIONS?CAN'T FIND AN ANSWER? ASK JUSTINE

Justine opens in a new window and is powered by a SLM chatbot, unlike our CVs which are fuelled by organic intelligence.

Frequently Asked Questions

CV Inclusions & Extras, CV lead-times, Getting Started & My Satisfaction Guarantee

How do I engage you?

Most people like to start with a phone call to chat about the options and my process. More...

This phone chat provides a valuable opportunity to ensure you select the most appropriate CV package that caters to your unique needs.

Click on the phone, anytime night and day, to book a complimentary 15 minute call at a time that suits you.
During this initial call, we will go through my process, and I will outline the kind of support and communication you can anticipate throughout our partnership. The primary objective here is to instil confidence in my ability to present your profile in a light that optimises your chances of securing interviews.

Ready to proceed? Kindly choose a package and complete your payment via debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. Following this, we'll arrange an initial call to explore your requirements. Together, we'll refine your CV and any additional documents included in your chosen package until you're entirely satisfied. Should you require further assistance, additional CV services are available at your discretion.

If your needs are urgent, the best approach is to complete my form with as much detail as possible. This provides me with important context.

My process and my credentials

We will work together to carefully align your CV with the employer's selection criteria. More...

  • Review of selection criteria

    A detailed examination of the employer's specific criteria to ensure your application aligns precisely with their expectations.

  • Discussion about potential employer

    We explore the employer's culture, market dynamics, and broader industry factors to inform a nuanced application.

  • Personal attributes 'gap' analysis

    Evaluating the alignment between your attributes and the employer's criteria, we strategise to accentuate your strengths and mitigate any weaknesses.

  • Initial CV build

    This stage involves developing the first draft of your CV, highlighting your achievements and experience in a manner tailored to the role.

  • Review and Refinement

    Rigorous refinement of your CV ensures it presents a compelling narrative that aligns closely with the employer's requirements.

  • Preparation of supporting documents and social media profile

    We also prepare any necessary supporting documents and optimise your social media profile for a consistent professional image.

  • Application

    The final step is the submission of your carefully crafted application, maximising your chances of securing an interview.

CV Writer Certification and Memberships

I am a founder-member of the UK-based CVRA, which professionally certifies and educates CV and Resume Writers worldwide.

Certified CV Writer

Can we chat before I make a purchase?

Yes, we can have a brief chat before you place an order for any CV package. Once an order is placed, for the £205 and up CV packages, we can Zoom meet or phone at mutually convenient times to discuss your CV needs and the best approach, or to hone the documents. It's best for me to see your old or existing CV, and the job ad or job specification before we meet for the first time.

How do I select a CV package?

The job ad or description will set out exactly what an employer wants from you. More...

It's quite common for senior people to feel that they can skip certain aspects of the application because of their status, but if your CV doesn't align with the selection criteria it almost certainly won't pass the ATS, let alone be read by a human.

Executive CV Elements

The key elements of most executive job applications are: the CV, the Cover Letter or e-note, and the LinkedIn Profile.

  • A CV (referred to as a Resume in the USA and Australia) is a concise summary of your qualifications, knowledge, skills, experience, and achievements, tailored to the selection criteria of the job you seek.
  • The cover letter, often digital (an e-note) in today’s online application processes, distils your CV’s pertinent attributes into a succinct pitch.
  • Applicants are frequently required to "address the selection criteria," providing responses for both essential and desirable skills, knowledge, experience, and achievements.
Implicitly, your application should demonstrate alignment with the employer's selection criteria, even if not explicitly requested.
The cover letter (or its electronic counterpart) and LinkedIn profile derive from your CV, supporting your application for the specific role. LinkedIn is crucial for roles where a professional network is key and serves as a platform for potential headhunting.

If your needs are urgent, the best approach is to email me with as much detail as possible.

What are 'selection criteria'?

Consider this your blueprint for differentiation, addressed to ensure your pitch precisely mirrors the attributes sought by the employer More...

Selection criteria delineate the exact qualifications, experiences, and personal attributes a company values in candidates, especially critical for executives poised to align with an organisation's strategic aims and culture.

Such criteria typically include a blend of essential and preferred qualifications, highlighting:

  • Demonstrated prowess in leadership and adeptness in team oversight.
  • Advanced educational qualifications and pertinent professional history.
  • Strategic acumen and sector-specific insight.
  • International experience, showcasing a global perspective and cross-cultural competency.
  • Notable accomplishments that have had a tangible impact on previous organisations.
Often referred to by various titles like Job Specifications, Position Requirements, and Competency Frameworks, these criteria provide a detailed blueprint of the expectations for applicants, addressing both technical abilities and behavioural virtues.
Caution is advised in relying on job descriptions, that are often maintained by compensation teams and rarely updated, possibly not reflecting current role requirements. The gap between these descriptions and what the decision-makers seek can be considerable, with 'minimum criteria' usually the only reliable indicator. Direct engagement with recruiters or leveraging networks for insights into the role's actual demands can provide a more accurate guide.

What sectors do you cover?

I have extensive experience across private, public, and third sectors on three continents. More...

I have authored executive CVs for, and/or been employed by, organisations in these sectors, among others:

    Executive and C-Suite CVs

  • CEO, Director, Senior Executive roles in the private, public and third sectors
  • Overseas postings and migration Resumes and CVs (USA, Australia, New Zealand)
  • Third sector Executive CVs
  • Pharmaceutical, Health & NHS Trust Executive CVs
  • Financial services and Insurance Executive CVs
  • Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education Senior Appointment CVs
  • Construction and Engineering Executive CVs
  • Transport and Logistics Executive CVs
  • Technology, e-Business and Digital Executive CVs
  • Retail & Hospitality Executive CVs
  • Government, County Council, political and Local Authority CVs
  • Marketing and Sales Executive CVs
  • IT and Information Management Executive CVs
  • Mining & Resources Executive CVs (extensive experience)
  • Franchisee application CVs (McDonalds etc)

Third Sector considerations

In the UK, applying for executive roles in the third sector demands a unique approach that underscores a candidate’s alignment with the organisation's mission, alongside their leadership and management skills.

Unlike corporate or government sectors, where the focus might lean more towards profitability or policy implementation, third sector applications should highlight the applicant's ability to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, manage resources creatively under budget constraints, and possess a deep understanding of sector-specific regulatory and funding mechanisms. Demonstrating flexibility, innovation in the face of changing environments, a track record of meaningful social impact, and strong interpersonal skills such as empathy and emotional intelligence are crucial. These elements collectively signal a candidate’s capability to lead with vision and compassion in roles dedicated to societal betterment. For more insights, see my dedicated article here.

CVs submitted to these organisations

My Accomplishment Checklist

A compelling CV must convey your potential capacity to drive success in complex corporate landscapes. More...

A compelling executive CV must showcase your capacity to drive success in complex corporate landscapes, focusing on significant and measurable achievements over duties and responsibilities.

Personal action accomplishments

In this context, consider problems as constraints on an organisation from a prospective employer's viewpoint. Reflect on challenges you've overcome or opportunities you've seized.

About the PAR Technique

The Problems->Actions->Results (PAR) method helps highlight your professional accomplishments, filling the 'experience' sections of your CV to show you meet an employer's needs.

1.Financial Accomplishments

Consider any actions taken to save or make money, boost efficiency, or enhance productivity. Have you expanded sales, developed new areas, or streamlined operations?

2.Innovative Accomplishments

Reflect on any adopted innovations or identified needs leading to new products, services, or strategies, showcasing your ability to think ahead and bring about change.

3.Interpersonal and leadership accomplishments

Your contributions to improving team relations, enhancing communication, or leading initiatives underline your leadership and collaborative skills.

4.Quality and added-value accomplishments

Have you improved training, recruitment, product quality, or customer experience? Highlight how you've raised standards or added value.
Alternatives to the STAR technique, include CAR (Context, Action, Result), PAR (Problem, Action, Result), SOAR (Situation, Obstacle, Action, Result), SCAR (Situation, Challenge, Action, Result), SAO (Situation, Action, Outcome), OAR (Opportunity, Action, Result), and DAR (Difficulty, Action, Result), offer versatile frameworks for articulating competencies and achievements.

Each model varies slightly, focusing on different aspects of a situation, whether it's the context, problem, obstacle, challenge, opportunity, or difficulty faced. This variety allows individuals to tailor their storytelling to best match their experiences and the interviewer's expectations, ensuring a concise and impactful presentation of their skills and successes.

How to Stuff Up Your CV

Numerous individuals submit applications for countless roles, only to be met with silence. More...

Here's where they often stuff up:

Overlooking the ATS

The primary stumbling block? Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). A staggering 70% of CVs are thought to be sifted out by these digital gatekeepers at the first hurdle because they fail to align with the employer's selection criteria, marking the downfall of the one-size-fits-all CV.

The Generic CV Trap

Distributing the same CV for varied applications is a guaranteed misstep. Personalise your CV for each role, highlighting how your unique skills and experiences position you as the ideal candidate.

The 'obviously AI' application

Over-reliance on generative AI for job applications poses significant risks, particularly for senior executives. While AI can help craft polished applications, it often lacks the personal touch, depth, and cultural alignment that recruiters seek. This can result in generic, inconsistent responses that fail to stand out, undermining your authenticity and unique value. As companies refine their algorithms to detect AI-generated content, the dangers of blending into the crowd increase. To truly differentiate yourself, it’s essential to balance AI's efficiencies with your own strategic insights and genuine voice.

Incompatibility with Job Specifications

If your CV doesn't echo the skills and experience the job advert demands, chances are it'll be passed over. Ensure your CV meticulously matches the job requirements detailed in the employer's specification.

Overly Stylised CVs

Avoid overly stylised CVs that prioritise aesthetics over functionality. Laden with colours and complex layouts, these CVs often confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), rendering them fatally ineffective. Also, many organisations and jurisdictions will reject applications containing photographs to avoid accusations of gender or ethnicity bias.

To avoid the pitfalls and boost your chances of an interview, focus on devising a CV that's not just clear and concise but also bespoke for the job in question and compatible with ATS requirements.

My Guarantee

Bespoke Precision: A hand crafted Executive CV that addresses with precision, a prospective employer's selection criteria.
Authenticity: No robot-led CV "writing" that makes you sound generic, keyword-stuffed or misaligned to the job description.
UK English: Fluent in plain speaking, I will present your narrative without Americanisms or industry jargon, in a style that engages UK employers.
Personal service by me: not a CV mill that doles out work to an unqualified employee, agent or contractor.
Collaboration not form-filling: You deal with me personally via email, phone and Zoom. No faceless, mechanised processes.
Honesty Policy: If meeting your deadline or your chances of getting to interview are unfeasible, I'll be upfront. My genuine testimonials speak to the success and satisfaction of real clients.

Hitting the sweet spot with your CV

Board-level CV Writer

Selection criteria may not be explicitly stated in a job description, but addressing them is crucial if you are to align your application to the employer's needs, requirements, and circumstances.

  1. Your attributes: The first circle represents your (the applicant's) knowledge, achievements, and skills
  2. Job description: The second circle represents the employer's strategic and operational needs in filling the post
  3. The market: The third circle represents the broader trends and challenges facing the employer's industry

This succinctly illustrates why each senior executive CV and its accompanying documentation must be tailored to an employer's requirements, needs, and situation. Venn and the art of the CV (Bradshaw, Edwards 2022).

CV alignment with selection criteria

How to hit the sweet spot in curating, aligning, and crafting your CV. More...

  • Review of selection criteria

    We begin by thoroughly reviewing what the employer says they need. This helps us understand the key (stated) requirements and how best to meet them.

  • Discussion about potential employer

    We then dig deeper, discussing the employer's culture, its key people, and what's happening in their industry or sector. This helps us fill in the (unstated) gaps and better tailor our proposition to their comprehensive needs.

  • Personal attributes 'gap' analysis

    No candidate is ever a perfect match. We compare your skills and experience with what the employer wants, identifying the strengths and achievements to emphasise.

  • Initial CV build

    Using the insights gathered, we draft your CV to highlight your achievements and skills in ways that demonstrate your suitability and the value you offer.

  • Review and Refinement

    We carefully refine your CV, making sure it tells a persuasive story that best matches what we judge the employer is looking for.

  • Preparation of supporting documents and social media profiles

    We prepare other necessary documents, such as cover letters or personal statements, and fine-tune your social media profiles to present a consistent, professional image.

  • Application

    Finally, you send off your polished application, ensuring it adheres to all the employer's requirements.
This general process aims to increase your success in landing an interview by making sure your application clearly matches what the employer is after, presenting a strong case for your expertise and fit for the position. In practice, the process is tailored to each client, based on the specific job or sector they're targeting.

Aligning your CV

Tailor your CV to the prospective employer's specific needs and demonstrate how your accomplishments align with their requirements. Providing concrete examples with metrics strengthens your case and enhances your chances of securing an interview.

  1. Your attributes: The first circle represents your (the applicant's) knowledge, achievements, and skills
  2. Job description: The second circle represents the employer's strategic and operational needs in filling the post
  3. The market: The third circle represents the broader trends and challenges facing the employer's industry

Why I'm your best choice

Executive CV Writing & Advice

Hello, I'm Elle. I manage all aspects of each project personally, never delegating to junior staff or outsourcing. I have over a decade of experience in the employment agency sector, specialising in executive and professional recruitment across various industries on three continents.

Given the 'ocean of ordinariness' characterising the current wave of poorly tailored, inartfully GPT'd executive CVs, it helps that I am a qualified marketer, author, and seasoned HR consultant.

My passion has always been creative writing and puzzle-solving. This blend of science, data, language, and originality is ideal for advanced job applications: understanding employer needs, matching skills, knowledge, cultural nuances, and experience to those needs, and presenting a compelling proposition.

Your CV is in expert hands

My background, skills and knowledge

I was born in a Leicestershire to working class parents and was the first to get a degree. I initially worked at Loughborough University, before moving to AstraZeneca as an Information Scientist followed by recruitment marketing. I have experience in the UK, Australia (dual citizen) and the USA.

We each possess unique qualities; however, not all are valuable to a prospective employer. Promoting all attributes equally risks crowding out those crucial for securing an interview.

This experience has provided a perfect grounding in job applications & Executive CVs: researching an employer's needs, aligning a creative pitch document to them and boosting people's chances of landing an interview. I've personally written thousands of CVs for executives from all disciplines and seven countries.

Client Testimonials


Hi Elle, I just want to say thank you for the work you did to make my CV application for the CEO (of a major sporting body)* stand out. It has been a pleasure working and interacting with you during the process. You answered every question, right down to - what format should I send the application in. I would have got it very wrong, but you referred me back to the job ad and showed me what to do next, your patience with my obvious lack of knowledge of how to do these things is very much appreciated as I know I would have never gotten to the interview, despite being well known in the sporting world.
*organisation name withheld

- W.S. (CEO)


As an executive, I thought I knew exactly what was required in making job applications, but after three months of not getting a single interview, I went to Elle for advice. This changed my perspective as she explained new concepts like keywords, effective CV structure, and the importance of having a tailored CV and cover letter for each application. Her service was outstanding; she listened to my needs and provided a CV that truly reflected my career aspirations and highlighted my key strengths. I highly recommend Elle to anyone looking to maximise their chances of getting to interview for executive and c-level appointments. She truly is the best in the business.

- D. Brian (Logistics Director)


I was struggling to get interviews for the jobs I was applying for, and I knew my CV was not up to the standard it should be. But I couldn't see that I wasn't presenting myself in a way that was attractive to employers. I reached out to Elle through a recommendation from a friend, and she was able to guide me to create an exceptional CV that truly reflected my skills and experience. Her attention to detail in matching my experience with the employer's ad and ability to highlight my achievements made all the difference. I have since received multiple interview opportunities, and it's all thanks to Elle.

- R. Lockie (Accounts executive)


I recently had the pleasure of working with Elle to revamp my CV and cover letter. Elle was professional, efficient, and provided great personal guidance throughout the process. She took the time to understand my career goals and highlighted my strengths in a way that truly set me apart from other candidates. She also provided tons of motivation to aim high! Thanks to Elle, I have a better perspective on how my strengths can be articulated and harnessed to further my career and also where I may have been going wrong in my job search. Within two weeks, I was able to secure an interview for a job that I wouldn't have considered myself qualified to apply for. I genuinely recommend her services to anyone looking to not only get a job but to get a great one r

- A. Awiti (Former GM, returning to work)

These are genuine reviews that are obviously anonymised.
I can provide referees upon request.

CVs submitted to:

Some of the organisations where I have assisted clients in applying for employment or provided career coaching and outplacement services.

News and Tips

My 'The CV Times' newspaper is updated frequently with news and views on Executive Recruitment matters and tips on taking control of your career.



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Clients' CVs submitted to:

Some of the organisations where I have assisted clients in applying for employment or provided career coaching and outplacement services.

TAGS: executive CV writer in Midlands, UK | executive CV and CVs | Midlands executive selection criteria writer | Midlands executive Linkedin Writer | Midlands executive job application expert

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