CV Writing, LinkedIn Optimisation or Career Advisory: Which Service Do You Need?

You can know that your career needs attention without knowing what kind of support would be most useful. Perhaps you're applying for jobs and hearing very little back. Perhaps recruiters are not approaching you. Or perhaps your experience has grown, but you are no longer sure what your next role should be.

The instinct is often to start with the most visible document: the CV. But a new CV is not always the solution. It helps to understand where the problem sits before deciding what to change.

First, identify where your search is getting stuck

Ask yourself three questions:

1. Do I know which roles and employers I am targeting? If not, the issue may be direction or job search strategy.
2. Is my experience coming across clearly to the right people? If not, your CV, LinkedIn profile or overall positioning may need work.
3. Am I reaching interviews but struggling to progress? If so, interview preparation, positioning or role fit may deserve closer examination.

These are clues, not diagnoses. Few interviews do not automatically mean a bad CV: an unrealistic target, a narrow market, limited vacancies or the way you apply may also contribute. Equally, not being contacted on LinkedIn does not prove your profile is weak.

When CV writing is the right starting point

A focused CV review or rewrite is particularly useful when you have a reasonably clear target but your document does not communicate why you fit it.

Common signs include:

• You describe responsibilities but give little evidence of your contribution or results.
• Your most relevant experience is difficult to identify.
• Your CV has not evolved as your seniority or direction has changed.
• You are moving between sectors or countries and need to translate your experience for a different audience.

The objective is not simply a better-looking document or a promise to “beat the ATS”. It is a clear, readable account of relevant experience, structured so that recruiters and hiring managers can assess your fit. Applicant tracking systems vary, and no CV can guarantee an interview.

Explore CV Writing & Optimisation.

When LinkedIn optimisation deserves attention

Your LinkedIn profile serves a different purpose from your CV. It is a public professional introduction that may be found through searches, referrals and networking, including when you are not actively applying.

Consider working on LinkedIn if:

• Your headline says little beyond your current job title.
• The About and Experience sections do not communicate your specialisation, scope or achievements.
• Your profile reflects an old direction rather than the roles you want next.
• Your CV, LinkedIn profile and professional introductions tell inconsistent stories.

A strong profile needs relevant language, but it also needs credibility. Keyword repetition cannot substitute for a convincing professional narrative, and visibility is never guaranteed.

Explore LinkedIn Profile Optimisation.

When career strategy and advisory should come first

If you are unsure what to aim for, document rewriting may be premature.

Career advisory is particularly relevant when you are considering a change of sector, assessing whether you are ready for a more senior role, returning after a career break or deciding between several possible directions. It can also help when your career history is broad and you are finding it hard to explain how the pieces fit together.

The starting point is a realistic assessment of your experience, strengths, priorities and how the market is likely to interpret them. From there, you can make clearer decisions about target roles and how to position yourself.

This is different from simply being given a more polished CV. It is about determining which professional story is both credible and useful for where you want to go.

Explore Career Strategy & Advisory.

What if the difficulty is the search or the interview?

Sometimes the documents are not the main problem.

If you are applying widely with little response, review whether the roles genuinely match your profile and whether you are relying too heavily on online applications. A more deliberate search may include target companies, professional networks, recruiter relationships and thoughtful outreach. Explore Job Search Strategy.

If you reach interviews regularly but struggle to progress, examine your examples, the evidence you use to demonstrate impact, how you respond to difficult questions and whether you are targeting the right level of responsibility. Interview outcomes are influenced by many factors, but structured practice can help you communicate your value more clearly. Explore Interview Preparation.

What if you are unsure what needs fixing?

You do not necessarily need a complete rewrite or a multi-session programme to begin. A focused assessment of your current profile can help identify the most useful next step.

Talent & Co.'s Profile Clinic reviews your CV and LinkedIn from a recruiter's perspective and provides practical feedback on your current positioning. It can help you decide whether you need targeted improvements, broader career guidance or a more substantial rewrite.

Explore the Profile Clinic.

Often, the right answer is a combination — but in the right order

When your career direction is unclear, begin there. Once the target is realistic, align your CV and LinkedIn profile to communicate a consistent story. Then consider whether your job search approach and interview performance support that direction.

If you already have a clear goal, you may only need one focused service. There is no reason to purchase work you do not need.

Not sure where to start? Explore Talent & Co.'s services for professionals or request a consultation to discuss the kind of support that fits your situation.