Frequently Asked Questions

enquiries@accendocv.co.uk

Do I really need the services of a professional CV writing organisation?

Answer the following questions to establish if you would benefit from a CV assessment. If you answer 'no' or are unsure of the answer then you may need some professional advice.

• Do you know how effective your CV is?
• Does your CV get results?
• Does your CV focus on your capabilities?
• Does your CV emphasise your achievements?
• Does your CV sell your personality and personal style?
• Is your CV clearly linked to the target role?

And it depends on you, on your available free time, patience, specific industry knowledge, creativity or lack thereof, list of resources, motivation, and much more. Where your career fits into your life is a personal decision.

We spend a huge proportion of our lives working, therefore it is likely that ones career will hold a high ranking, probably coming somewhere after health, family, and friends. It's likely that it sits amongst the top half dozen major elements of your life. Often it is achieved by effort in training & education, hard work and some luck through being in the right place at the right time. It is rarely, fully and openly discussed other than with ones nearest & dearest.

Employers who operate appraisal systems only plan for career development within their organisation and this does not fully prepare one for the cut and thrust of the open market. We all know that a decision to interview or reject will be made solely on your CV, giving you just a few seconds to prove your worth. Your CV is your opportunity to sell yourself with factual information. The best way to achieve this is to have a professionally written CV.

Differentiation is the key, as your CV must stand out from the crowd. At Accendo we suggest that you should invest in your resume, by accessing our unique team of professional career consultants, each of whom has a wealth of recruitment experience that you can harness.

§ What is involved in CV re-modelling?

A CV is known by many names, Curriculum Vitae, Resume, C.V. Career History, and the process of how best to write a CV is ill defined.

The experience of our specialist CV authors with their professional sector experience makes the Accendo service a valuable resource that's at your disposal. Accendo specialise in all aspects of professional CV writing, from helping with the basics of how to write a CV, through to fine-tuning and an ongoing updating service. We also believe that CVs should be tailored to each industry sector and job application.

Accendo provides the highest calibre CV writing service. From extensive studies we have learned what works best in CVs, and how to balance content, format and size to meet different objectives.

We know what 'rules' must be followed in CV content and presentation, and those areas where your unique experience must be allowed to shine. Accendo advise on and respond to our client's objectives. Consequently each and every CV is bespoke, designed to be fit for purpose, and written by a professional team of ex or current Senior Managers and Recruitment Consultants.

Many of our team have substantial sector experience of the hiring employers. Accendo offer you the opportunity to discuss your career and goals with a highly experienced carer consultant. From the detailed telephone conversation and your old CV, you're appointed CV Writer will produce your new CV within five - seven working days.

§ There are so many organisations offering these services and which is the best one for me?

Choosing the right professional to help you market yourself is about helping stack the odds in your favour. Accendo's team are skilled and experienced senior managers who have substantial experience as employers and recruitment consultants where they have read many (thousands) of CVs in the pre selection, selection and interview processes, and where the quality of appearance and content are critical. Each CV author has sector experience within your field, and can apply Accendo's high standards of resume services and frameworks, and also add relevant and appropriate sector knowledge.

Accendo gives you the opportunity to access this experience to ensure that your resume stands out and does not contain any fatal flaws, which may have it, consigned to the second or third pile. We allocate consultants to assignments on the basis of their match to the industry that you are targeting. When you speak with that consultant you will be able to understand from their backgrounds that they bring the experience and knowledge that will add value to your venture

§ Isn't hiring professional expertise expensive and unnecessary as we can all write?

Accendo will ensure that your CV represents you clearly and in a form that helps the recruiter to find you. By proven layout, structure and sound content your resume will be read and properly assessed. In the competitive employment market you need the best tools available to progress your career, and not have an impediment of a less than optimal CV.

In addition you should consider that the fees involved are a small fraction of the salary that you seek. The investment is less than half a weeks pay at the rate of your target role (see prices), and we believe that this is an excellent value proposition.

§ How does it work?

When you buy a service on-line using our secure Secpay payment gateway, based upon the service in question, you will be contacted by an Accendo representative to clearly establish your needs and wants.

If this was CV writing or re-modelling then -

You will receive a phone call to book an appointment with you for a telephone consultation. This appointment, which could be up to an hour long, will be lead by one of our industry consultants.

This will be a fact-finding exercise but it should also be a pleasant experience as our goal is to help you to succeed. You will of course be able to ask the consultant questions during the course of this consultation. The primary purpose of the session however is for us to gain as many pertinent facts about you as possible.

We will employ structured techniques to achieve this goal. The consultant will then produce a CV that is targeted at your stated needs and this will be e-mailed back to you.

You will then have a 7 day review period when you can come back and have your CV revised or changed at no extra cost.

If you have any queries or questions hereafter then please e-mail us or call Accendo where one of our trained operatives will ensure that you have another conversation with the consultant who produced your CV. At any time during this process if you have any questions please don't hesitate to e-mail us at enquiries@accendocv.com

We make every attempt to ensure that our services to you meet with your satisfaction first time around.Accendo look forward to being of service to you in your career progression in the very near future.

§ Who are Accendo consultants and what is their typical experience?

This is a small but representative sample of the experience our consultants bring to Accendo.

Our CV Writers:

Group HR Director, BSc (Physics) and CFIPD, Business Unit General Manager and Member of the Employment Tribunals with extensive sector experience in Engineering, Central Government, Manufacturing, Project Management, Consultancy and IT.

Group Services Director, LLB and extensive professional experience with Accounting, Law, Property, Insurance, Financial Services, Banking, HR and General Management.

Human Resources and Quality executive, MBA, BSc Psychology and extensive experience within IT, Engineering, Manufacturing, Nuclear and Financial Services.

Country HR Manager, BA Psychology, extensive sector experience in Banking, Property, Logistics, and Central Government.

VP EMEA, Managed Services, BA (History & Economics), MBCS CITP with extensive multi national experience in Financial Services, Engineering, IT(CIO), Transport and Public sector services.

§ What questions will the consultant ask at the CV consultation?

Be prepared to answer a series of questions constructed to tell the Accendo consultant as much about you that is relevant to your professional persona, career history, lifestyle and aspirations. The information that you provide will help shape the final output. The CV has to project as much of your personality as is feasible without getting in the way of the factual presentation of data.

§ What is included in your service?

The job search/change process is a complex and important one for us all. The CV is a critical tool, and is a prospective employer's only means of initially assessing your possible competence, potential and fit with their organisation. The CV re-modelling service includes the complete re- working of your CV to fit the target role and industry and preparation of cover letters/emails if required.

§ Do you provide other career management services?

Over 60% per cent of respondents to a recent survey stated that they intend to move jobs in the next twelve months; most of these are seeking greater career prospects. If this description fits your circumstances then you need to stack the odds in your favour.

Among the services Accendo offer are interview counselling/preparation, career counselling/strategies, market intelligence, job search toolkit and psychometric testing. We also provide lifetime career management support to our subscription clients.

§ What is involved in interview counselling and career counselling?

Interview counselling consists of a conversation with a senior HR professional on the latest techniques of interviewing and selection to ensure that you are fully prepared for that forthcoming interview.

The selection interview has been shown by study to be an unreliable process for both candidates and employers. However it is widely used and almost always forms a part of a structured selection process, so it must not be ignored and many pitfalls can be avoided with a little care and instruction. Our team can be available to you shortly before your interview, typically the day before, to ensure that you are focussed and perform well on the day.

For structured interviews that include psychometric testing our team (which includes Employment Psychologists) can explain the selection process, reveal the employer's objectives and goals. This can help to remove anxieties in the candidates mind enabling you to perform at your optimum.
Our career counselling service supports the individual through periods of change. We appoint one or more senior Accendo consultants to work with you throughout a change in your working life. We work with you to help you achieve your next life and career move.

§ What will I receive as part of my free CV assessment?

You will receive a professional analysis of your CV conducted by an industry specialist. The assessment comprises of a critical appraisal of the content of your CV followed by a rating against a structured set of headings.

We will of course point out the positive elements within your CV and make a judgement if you do need our services. Each CV is individually analysed, and takes about 30 minutes to complete. We will then call you with a critique highlighting the main areas that require attention.

* Please bear in mind that this service is entirely free and Accendo are not obliged to meet any "assumed" service standard*

§ Who are your affiliates?

We pride ourselves on only using reputable and highly professional organisations. While we cannot be responsible for their performance in any specific instance we are confident that if you choose to use them, you will receive the highest level of service and assistance.

§ What does Accendo mean?

Accendo: to kindle, to illuminate. We are specialist in career management and CV production for the English-speaking employment market.

If you have further questions that are not answered here - then please email us.