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How Much Does a Professional CV Cost
Over the past seven years, one question has come up more than any other: “How much should I pay for a CV?”
It’s a fair question. Most people have never used a CV writing service before, and when they start looking, the prices can be confusing. Some charge £50, others £500, and a few don’t publish prices at all. So how do you know what’s reasonable?
I wanted to find out too.
I’ve spent the last few months researching what professionals across the UK and Europe are charging for CV writing. I wanted to understand how pricing really works and to help people make sense of what they’re paying for.
From my research, I found some services offer quick edits or AI-assisted rewrites, while others involve hours of consultation, market research, and personalised writing. The challenge is that from the outside, it’s hard to tell the difference.
In this article, I’ll break down what affects the cost of a CV, how prices differ by country and career level, and how to decide whether you’re getting value for money. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of what to expect and why a well-written CV is often worth the investment.
Many self-employed professionals, freelancers, and solopreneurs are turning to LinkedIn ghostwriters to save time, grow their personal brand, and attract opportunities they never thought possible.
Table of Contents
Why The Price of CV Writing Servvices Prices Vary So Much
The price of a professionally written CV isn’t just about the document itself. It reflects the time, expertise, and understanding that go into creating it.
A graduate CV and an executive CV might look similar in format, but the work behind them is very different. A graduate CV focuses on potential and education, while an executive CV has to summarise decades of achievements, strategic responsibilities, and measurable results. One takes a few hours. The other can take several days of consultation, research, and writing.
Experience level is only one part of the story. Prices also vary depending on:
- The amount of information provided. Some clients have an up-to-date CV and a clear goal. Others need help identifying what’s relevant, which means more time spent understanding their background.
- The depth of research required. Writing for niche or technical industries often takes extra time to get the language right.
- The number of revisions. Some services include one update, while others offer ongoing reviews until the client is happy.
- The level of personalisation. A well-written CV reflects the person behind it. That means going beyond formatting and using a writing style that matches their career stage and goals.
It’s also worth noting that some providers offer lower prices by using templates or automated tools. These can be helpful for quick refreshes, but they rarely provide the insight or storytelling needed to stand out. Higher-priced services usually include a personal consultation and a more hands-on writing process, which explains the difference in cost.
In short, CV prices vary because careers vary. The more complex the story, the more time and skill it takes to get it right.
Researching The Price of CV Writing Services
Across the UK and Europe, there’s a wide range of prices for professional CV writing. What you pay often depends on your career level, the market you’re in, and how the service is structured.
How much does a CV cost in the UK?
In the UK, prices start around £100 to £150 for early-career or graduate CVs. These are often quick edits or refreshes based on an existing document. Mid-career professionals tend to pay £250 to £500, which usually covers a full rewrite and a more detailed approach. Executive CVs start around £500 and can go beyond £1,000, depending on the amount of consultation and personalisation involved.
Some of the higher-end UK services don’t publish fixed prices. They provide custom quotes after a consultation, which allows them to assess the length of the client’s career, the complexity of their background, and how much time the project will take.
How much does a CV cost in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, pricing is generally higher, which reflects the cost of living and the multilingual nature of the market. Most professionals pay between CHF 00 and CHF 600, with executive packages often reaching over CHF 1200 when they include a cover letter or LinkedIn profile. Many Swiss providers base their pricing on career stage and level of customisation.
How much does a CV cost in Germany?
German CV services, known as “Bewerbungsservice,” typically charge €100 to €150 for a standalone CV. Full application packages, which include cover letters and formatting, cost around €200 to €400 for mid-level professionals. Executive CVs can reach €1000 or more, especially when translation or advanced design is included.
How much does a CV cost in France?
In France, most services fall between €200 and €300, depending on career level. A graduate or junior CV might cost around €100, while executive CVs are usually closer to €1000. Many French providers offer bundles that include a CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile at a discounted rate.
How much does a CV cost in Italy?
In Italy, professional CV writing starts from around €60 for basic edits, increasing to €150–€3000 for experienced professionals. Executive-level CVs can cost a few hundred euros more. Many Italian providers quote prices only after reviewing the existing CV and career history, as the time required varies from client to client.
How much does a CV cost in Spain?
In Spain, the range is similar to other European countries. A professional CV rewrite typically costs €150–€300, while executive services can reach €800 or more, especially when they include additional documents or LinkedIn support. Lower-cost options exist, but these often focus on formatting rather than personalised writing.
Early-career CVs are at the lower end of the range, while senior and executive CVs command higher fees because they require more consultation, research, and personalisation. What’s interesting is how consistent this structure is across Europe, even though prices are displayed in different currencies.
What You’re Really Paying for in a Professional CV Writing Service
When people look at CV prices, it’s easy to focus on the number. But what matters more is what sits behind it. A good CV takes time, expertise, and a real understanding of what employers expect to see.
You’re not just paying for a few pages of writing. You’re paying for the process that helps you present your experience in a way that makes sense to hiring managers.
Here’s where the value comes from:
- Consultation and understanding. A strong CV starts with listening. Good writers spend time understanding your background, goals, and the roles you’re targeting before they begin writing.
- Research and positioning. To make your CV relevant, the writer needs to know what employers in your sector look for. That means researching the market and tailoring the content so it fits the local hiring style.
- Personalised writing. Every career story is different. A professional CV writer structures and phrases your experience in a way that highlights your strengths and makes it easy to read.
- Technical accuracy. Most employers now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs. Writers who understand this know how to structure and format a CV so it passes through these systems.
- Revisions and feedback. A single round of updates can make a big difference. It’s about collaboration, not just delivery.
When these elements come together, the result feels natural and accurate. It reflects who you are and what you bring.
Lower-priced services often remove parts of this process. They might focus on formatting or rely on templates to keep costs down. While that can work for quick updates, it rarely captures the detail or understanding that helps a CV stand out.
Ultimately, you’re paying for insight. The difference between a basic rewrite and a professional CV is how well it connects your story to the roles you want next.
How to Know if You’re Getting Value for Money from a CV Writing Service
Knowing what you’re paying for is one thing. Knowing whether it’s worth it is another. The best way to judge value is by looking at what’s included, how the service works, and whether it reflects your career level and goals.
Here are a few signs you’re getting good value:
- You have a clear consultation. Before any writing begins, you should have a proper conversation about your background, experience, and the types of roles you’re applying for.
- The process feels personal. You’re matched with someone who understands your market and takes time to get the details right.
- You can review and refine. You’re given a draft and the opportunity to make changes or clarify points before the final version is delivered.
- The format fits your goals. The CV is structured for your target roles, whether that’s a move within the same industry or a change in direction.
- You understand the timeline and delivery. You know how long it will take and when to expect updates.
You can also tell a lot from how a service communicates. If prices and timelines are vague or if you’re expected to fill in a form with no discussion, that usually reflects the level of attention you’ll receive.
Good CV writing takes collaboration. It should feel like a process where you’re involved and listened to. If you walk away feeling that your experience has been understood and represented accurately, you’ve probably received fair value for the price you paid.
Final Thoughts
There isn’t a single right price for a CV. What matters most is whether the service helps you present your experience in a way that gets attention for the right reasons.
Across the UK and Europe, most professionals pay somewhere between £250 and £500 for a high-quality CV. Graduates and early-career professionals can expect to pay less, while executives will often pay more because their experience takes longer to capture.
The research shows the more detailed the consultation, the more relevant the research, and the more personalised the writing, the higher the value.
If you’re comparing services, focus on what’s included, how the process works, and whether the approach feels personal to you. When those things line up, the cost starts to make sense.
Let's Work Together And Optimise Your Career
I’ve spent the past seven years writing CVs for professionals across the UK and Europe, helping them present their experience in a way that gets noticed by employers.
If you are interested in learning more about the CV Writing Services we provide, get in touch.
Best of luck,
Dave Crumby
Your Career Optimiser | Certified CV Writer
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