CV Centre Frequently Asked Questions

We have listed below all the most common queries our clients have. Whenever someone asks us a new question, whether by phone, by email or by post, we make a note of it and ensure the answer appears here to help other clients in the future.

Simply click on a question below to be taken to the answer. If you can't find an answer to your query then please don't hesitate to contact us.

Our Guarantee

Fees and Payment

The Order Process

What We Provide

Facilities For Existing Clients

Where are your pages for existing clients?
My computer crashed/I lost my Internet connection after I had completed the order form. How can I get back in and re-enter the application form?

About Us

Examples and Help

Getting a Job

Miscellaneous

Answers To Frequently Asked Questions

What are your fees?
For full details of our fees, please to enter our online order facility. There you can see full details of our pricing with no obligation to actually place an order. Alternatively, you can simply request a free information pack so you can review our fees at your leisure.

Why are your prices lower than your competition? Are they better?!
Well, we are the UK market leaders, so the sheer volume we deal with keeps our prices amongst the very lowest. This in no way compromises the quality of our work.

Why isn't your pricing based on the number of pages?
Typing and word processing services charge according to the number of words or pages. Professional CV consultancies don't.

Why are the prices different for varying levels of CV?
Our fees vary according to the level you've reached. Obviously, a student's CV is very different to a chief executive's in terms of the amount of work involved.

How do I pay?
We take payment by cheque, postal order or all major credit and debit cards. Whatever suits you best. Although, we can obviously only accept cards for fax, email and online orders.

I've seen places that charge £10. Why do you charge so much more?
You can get a CV prepared for just a tenner, but it'll only be a straightforward typing job. To have it done properly obviously costs more and it really doesn't pay to cut corners when it comes to your career.

Do I have to pay postage if I only want my order by email?
Sorry - it is a standard charge and applies to all clients whatever their circumstances. Hard copies are always despatched by post. This applies worldwide. But you can avoid this charge by since postage & packing is free for all orders placed online.

When do I pay?
In common with most other CV consultancies, we do take payment at the time of order. But, unlike some other CV consultancies, all our work is of course fully guaranteed.

Why do you take payment in advance?
Principally, once we get a client on board, they tend to become a client for life, coming back to us regularly for updates, further help, etc. And we feel that having to chase clients for payment jeopardises that relationship. Also, this policy eliminates bad debts and keeps our costs and hence our fees at a minimum. We believe this to be for the overall benefit of our clients.

Do you offer discounts for the unemployed?
Sorry, no. A lot of our clients are of course unemployed, but our fees are as low as we can get them.

What happens after I send my order in?
Once we receive your order, it will be allocated to a consultant, according to which profession you're in and the level you've reached. Once they've prepared a draft version, your consultant will email or phone you if necessary to clarify any minor points or to build up on any weaker areas. Just to get it absolutely right before we send the draft version out for your approval.

How long does the service take?
We aim for a 24 hour turnaround on all orders from when they are received. But we do also offer a Same Day and even a 4-hour delivery service. So, it's as fast as you want it to be, really.

Do I need to come in?
No! Not at all. We work primarily by email, post, fax and over the phone, so there's no need for you to come in in person.

Do I need to fill out all of your application form?
No. If you have an existing CV which covers all the questions of the application form then you can simply send us this instead.

Do you keep my CV on file in case I want to make changes later?
Yes, we keep your details on file indefinitely, so you can come back to us at any time to update your CV or make any other changes.

What type of paper do you use?
We laser print to Conqueror High White Wove 100gsm which is undoubtedly the best paper for the job.

How many copies do I get?
Our CV fees are principally consultancy fees, although you do of course get a printed copy, but only the one. Further sets of 10 copies are available at just £7 each. Or you can have an extra 20 for just £9.50.

My computer crashed/I lost my Internet connection after I had completed the order form. How can I get back in and re-enter the application form?

We do find that occasionally a client's internet connection will be lost, or their computer will crash, etc. before they have completed the application form.

If this happens to you then it's not a major crisis, although you will of course generally lose anything you've already typed in. Once you've fixed your problem, you need simply click here to re-enter and re-complete the form. On submission it will be tied up with your original order. If your problems persist then it might be advisable to regularly 'submit' the form whilst you're completing it, since each time you do so the system will save the information you have entered and send it to us. Then, if your system cuts out, at least you won't lose everything and have to start from scratch (although you'll still need to re-enter the 'compulsory' fields). Submitting the form will take you on to the final screen, but all you need to do to get back is simply use the back button on your browser and continue as normal.

If you continue to experience problems with your Internet connection we would suggest you download the Excel version of the application form. Simply click here to access this form which you should then save to your hard drive before completing.

How long have you been in business for?
The CV Centre was formed back in 1998 and has therefore been in business for longer than almost all its competition. Although the company itself may be young in human terms, it brings together an international team of employment consultants, each with many years experience in their respective fields - as Personnel and HR Managers, Recruitment Consultants, Outplacement Strategists, etc.

Where are you based?
Although our administrative base is in Greater London we do cover the whole world. We work primarily by email, post, fax and over the phone, so there's no need for you to come in in person.

What's your success rate like?
It's not logistically practical to follow up on every client, but we judge our success rate on the amount of repeat business and personal recommendations we get. Once a client has a CV prepared they'll more often than not come back for an update once they've got a new job. So, in general, we know our clients are very happy.

How long will/should my CV be?
It's impossible to say. One page as an obvious minimum. Two pages as an average. Three as a maximum. At least in the UK. It very much depends on your particular circumstances and your consultant's professional opinion.

Can you tell me what my chances are of getting a new job?
That's very hard to say! Obviously, a professional CV will be a great help but after that you're effectively on your own for interview, although we do offer a range of books which provide help and advice in this area.

Can you tell me what sort of salary I could/should be getting?
That's very hard to say! If you use our email distribution service, your CV should reach hundreds of different employers. In due course, you should receive a number of offers, and hopefully be able to pick and choose between various options. This'll obviously increase your chances of getting the level of salary you want.