- UK CV writing services at a glance
- Nine UK CV writing services worth a look
- Which CV service fits your situation
- Four details a UK CV should leave out
- Independent writer, agency or online service?
- Six questions to ask a CV writer
- Signs a CV service isn't right for you
- My plain advice before you hire a CV writer
- Frequently asked questions
A CV writing service matches you with a professional writer who rewrites your CV, and often your cover letter and LinkedIn profile, after a consultation. In the UK they range from independent writers who work alone to agencies with sector specialists. This page compares nine UK CV writing services in no particular order, with what to check in every draft.
A CV writer earns their keep by asking better questions than you'd ask yourself. They'll pull out the results buried in your job descriptions and cut the lines a recruiter skips.
The nine services below are UK-based and cover graduates, career changers, managers and board-level roles. They're listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the service's own website, read this week. If you want to tidy the skills section yourself first, my guide on writing a skills section works for CVs too.
UK CV writing services at a glance
I checked the last column on each service's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site names a free review, critique, consultation or call before you buy. Not stated means the pages I read didn't name one. Services change their offers often, so confirm on the provider's own page before you book.
| Service | Type | Good for | Free review or call named |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan Hope | Independent UK CV writer | One-to-one help from one writer | Yes |
| CV Knowhow | CV and LinkedIn writing service | A free, confidential CV review | Yes |
| CV Masters | London CV writing agency | Fast CVs across many industries | Not stated |
| iCover | UK career documents service | Graduate CVs and personal statements | Yes |
| Pro-CV | Sector-matched CV writers | Specialist and board-level CVs | Not stated |
| PurpleCV | UK CV writing service | Ongoing amendments after the CV | Not stated |
| The CV Store | UK CV writing service | A year of updates with one consultant | Yes |
| TopCV | UK CV writing service and tools | A free review then expert help | Yes |
| Word Dragon | Independent UK CV writer | A personal, human-written CV | Not stated |
Nine UK CV writing services worth a look
Brendan Hope
Best for: Executives and graduates who want their CV written one to one by the same person, with no templates or outsourcing.
CV Knowhow
Best for: Anyone wanting a sector specialist to rewrite their CV, cover letter and LinkedIn profile after a free review.
CV Masters
Best for: Londoners and others who want a CV written quickly by writers with HR and recruitment backgrounds.
iCover
Best for: Graduates and professionals who want a CV, cover letter, personal statement or LinkedIn profile from one UK team.
Pro-CV
Best for: Senior managers, board members and specialists who want a writer with experience in their own industry or sector.
PurpleCV
Best for: Applicants who want a CV written from scratch with support that continues after delivery, including job alerts.
The CV Store
Best for: Experienced hires who want a human-written CV with direct contact with their writer and support for a year afterwards.
TopCV
Best for: UK applicants who want a free expert CV review, then a writer, plus DIY tools for tracking applications.
Word Dragon
Best for: Professionals who want a small, independent CV writer who works with them throughout and doesn't outsource anything.
Which CV service fits your situation
- One writer from start to finish: Brendan Hope or Word Dragon.
- A year of updates after delivery: The CV Store.
- Board and non-executive director CVs: Pro-CV.
- Graduate CVs and personal statements: iCover.
- A free review before you decide: CV Knowhow or TopCV.
Four details a UK CV should leave out
The National Careers Service says a CV should not include your age, your date of birth, whether you're married or your nationality.
It sounds obvious, yet older templates still have a personal details box for exactly those things, and some writers copy them across. They add nothing for the employer and can invite bias. So check every draft you're sent: if any of those four appear, ask for them to be removed before you apply anywhere.
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Independent writer, agency or online service?
An independent writer works with you personally from the first call to the final draft. You get one voice and one point of contact, but they can only take on so many clients at once.
An agency matches you to a writer with experience in your sector. That helps if your field has its own language, such as engineering, finance or the NHS.
Online services start with a free review and a set package. They're quick, but you may not choose your writer, so ask who'll work on your CV before you go ahead.
Six questions to ask a CV writer
- Will I speak to the person writing my CV?
- Have you written CVs for my industry and level?
- How many drafts or revisions are included?
- Will I get an editable Word file?
- Do you tailor the CV to a specific role?
- How long until I see the first draft?
Signs a CV service isn't right for you
- Nobody asks about your target job. Tailoring won't happen.
- The draft has a personal details box. It's an old template.
- You can't edit the file. Ask for Word.
- The writer never speaks to you. Ask how questions get answered.
Do you make CV writing or career services? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice before you hire a CV writer
Bring a target job advert to your consultation, not just your old CV. A writer can only tailor your CV to a role they can see, and the National Careers Service advice is clear that a CV should match the job you're applying for. Then check the draft for the four personal details above, and read it out loud before you send it anywhere.
If you want your LinkedIn profile to match the new CV, my guide on adding your LinkedIn profile to a CV shows where it goes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a CV writing service worth it in the UK?
It can be when you're changing career, stepping up a level or not getting interviews. Ask for samples first.
How long should a UK CV be?
Most UK CVs are around two pages. Senior and academic CVs can run longer, but every line should earn its place.
Should my CV include a photo or date of birth?
No. The National Careers Service says to leave out your age, date of birth, marital status and nationality.
Do CV writers write cover letters too?
Many do, and several also write LinkedIn profiles. Check what each package includes before you order.
How long does a CV writer take?
Several services quote a few working days after the consultation. Ask for the timeline if you're up against a closing date.
Can a CV writer tailor my CV to one job?
Yes, and they should. Bring the job advert so the writer can match your CV to it.
