Application services

CV | Personal Statement | Applications
Request Consultation

CV and application coaching  

If you are not securing interviews, the issue is rarely your experience. It is usually how that experience is structured, positioned and evidenced. I work with experienced professionals, senior leaders and ambitious candidates who know they are capable but need their CV or application to reflect that clearly and strategically.

This is not a generic CV writing service. It is expert positioning.

Client review

Elizabeth has real expertise and an in-depth understanding of how the recruitment process works and how to bring out the best in an application. Her feedback and advice were genuinely insightful and made an enormous difference to my application

Common problems I see

Even strong candidates struggle to:

  • promote themselves confidently
  • demonstrate impact rather than responsibility
  • translate their experience when changing sector
  • position themselves correctly when moving between contract and permanent roles
  • articulate transferable skills at a more senior level
  • optimise their CV for recruiter search and LinkedIn visibility.

A CV can be well written and still fail to signal seniority, show outcomes or align clearly with the role being targeted. The difference is rarely effort. It is judgement.

CV coaching

When I review your CV, I focus on:

  • positioning, evidence and alignment
  • Does the document clearly communicate the level you operate at?
  • Are outcomes and impact visible?
  • Is it tailored to the roles you are targeting?

We refine structure, language and emphasis so your CV reflects the level you are operating at, not just the job titles you have held. The detailed process for how we work together is outlined on the Typical Coaching Session page.

Application and personal statement coaching 

Application forms are often more complex than they appear. You may be answering the question but not answering it in the way the panel is assessing. Together we:

  • interpret what the employer is really testing
  • identify the strongest examples from your experience
  • structure your answers strategically
  • strengthen evidence and clarity
  • ensure your credibility and judgement come through. The full process is explained on the Typical Coaching Session page.

Civil Service applications 

I coach candidates applying for Civil Service roles, including roles assessed under the Success Profiles framework. Civil Service recruitment processes vary by role and campaign. Some applications require a CV and/or Personal Statement; others ask for separate Behaviour examples, technical evidence, tests or additional assessment stages. The job advert will set out exactly what is being assessed and what you need to submit.

Where a CV is required, it needs to communicate your level and impact clearly, sometimes without relying on organisational context. Where a Personal Statement is required, it must show how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria for the role, often within a tight word count.

For more senior roles, the challenge is often to demonstrate both strategic leadership and credible operational delivery. This requires careful selection of evidence, clarity about your personal contribution and a strong understanding of what the panel needs to see.

I do not write applications for you. That distinction matters. My role is to help you position yourself accurately at the right strategic and operational level for the role you are targeting. We identify the strongest examples, refine structure, sharpen evidence and ensure alignment with the criteria being assessed. The detailed process for how we work together is outlined on the Typical Coaching Session page.

Candidates who approach applications in this way develop greater clarity about the value they bring and how to communicate it. This can help not only with the immediate application, but with future applications and interviews too.

Client review

What a difference Elizabeth has made. I had applied for many roles but was not getting any interviews, and was getting rather discouraged. Elizabeth’s constructive and incisive comments were so useful in helping me fundamentally restructure my application forms. Within a couple of weeks, I received two  interview offers. She then coached me through an interview and Success Profiles. She gave me the confidence and the tools to succeed. I now have a new and more senior role in the Civil Service.

Request a consultation

If you’d like to explore CV or application coaching, the first step is to request a consultation. Application support is detailed, structured work and requires focused time. A CV typically involves two to three hours of review and refinement. A Personal Statement or supporting evidence often requires three to five hours, depending on levelof the role and word count. Because we work iteratively and schedule structured review sessions, it is rarely possible to complete applications well at short notice. I am normally booked in advance, so I recommend allowing at least two to three weeks before your deadline where possible.

This work is not just about improving wording, but positioning you clearly at the right strategic and operational level for the role. Please complete the consultation form outlining the role, level and deadline. I will review your information personally and come back to you and  I will send you a link to book a free consultation so we can discuss your application and agree next steps.

Request Consultation

 

Anthony on August 09, 2025 at 13:05 pm

Elizabeth is truly exceptional. I reached out to her after being told by an interviewer that “interviewing was obviously not my thing”—hardly encouraging feedback, especially at my stage in life. Her training helped me understand my communication style, demystified the interview process, and equipped me with practical tools I could apply immediately. She made herself available at very short notice, even over a weekend, and helped me secure a role that was a significant step up. Worth every penny. I only wish I’d done this sooner—I mourn the opportunities lost by not having had her guidance earlier. Thank you, Elizabeth!

Samuel on July 13, 2025 at 21:26 pm

I had just turned fifty years old and was at a very difficult stage in finding a new career. I had not applied for a job, sat an aptitude test or had an interview in almost twenty years. Elizabeth was highly professional and guided me through the obstacles I was likely to face which encouraged me to prepare just that bit harder for each stage of the selection process. Having come 9th out of approximately 1,500 candidates in the aptitude tests, the final hurdle was the interview. I had two sessions with Elizabeth. The first was where she acted as my interviewer and then constructively examined my responses at the end . The second was similar, though now my responses were tailored to her advice from the first session and further refined. The actual interview for the job went so well, I began to suspect it had gone too well as towards the end, the interviewers almost stepped out of character and began making small talk about how I would find the day-to-day pros and cons of working for the organisation, however Elizabeth had cautioned me to remain professional, polite and keep to my brief. In total, fifteen people were successful out of the 1,500 and thanks to Elizabeth, I was one of them. I highly recommend her services and professionalism which are beyond reproach. Above all, if you make the effort and follow her advice, you will be confident before and during the interview which combined with answering the questions competently, will give you a high chance of success. Thank you again, Elizabeth.

Chloe on February 18, 2025 at 11:36 am

Hi Elizabeth, I just wanted to let you know that my interview took place yesterday and today I was offered the role! According to my new G6, the panel agreed that I ‘knocked it out the park’ in the interview, and I beat nine other interviewees to the position. A huge thank you for your coaching, advice and encouragement. Without it, I can categorically say I wouldn’t have been offered the role. I’ll be back in a few years’ time, when I’m looking for my next role!

Fabiula Rifiski on October 16, 2024 at 09:16 am

Elizabeth is truly amazing. She has not only helped me stand tall but also completely transformed how I approach interviews and view my skill set. As an interview coach, she goes beyond the basics of preparing for a role. She helps you tailor your skills to fit the specific roles you’re applying for, but more importantly, she opens your eyes to what you’re truly capable of. Sometimes we underestimate our natural abilities because they come easily to us, but Elizabeth shows you how to express these in a way that highlights their full value. She helps you see beyond tasks and focus on the big picture - especially on soft skills, which are crucial in today’s job market. When I first worked with Elizabeth, I received offers from three major companies immediately after our sessions, and I was able to choose the role that was the perfect fit for me. When I later went through a career change, she helped me again, and I successfully landed the job I was aiming for. I highly recommend Elizabeth. Her insights and guidance are invaluable!

Jon on September 04, 2024 at 11:40 am

I highly recommend Elizabeth and the interview skills clinic. Elizabeth helped me prepare for an interview for a Civil Service Grade 6 role and the three sessions gave me the confidence and skills needed to get the job. As someone who has struggled with interviews in the past I now have the skills to confidently tackle senior Civil Service interviews for the years to come. Elizabeth has a complete understanding the civil service behaviours and interview format so it felt like getting insider knowledge which proved to be essential. Thanks again to Elizabeth and the team.

Nats on March 27, 2024 at 17:01 pm

Elizabeth was really helpful in supporting me to prepare for an upcoming interview. She completely understood the type of interview I would be facing, and with her support I managed to reshape my case studies and improve my performance, which meant I was able to give a much better account of my skills, experience, and suitability for the role which I was applying. Elizabeth was recommended to me by a colleague (and a brilliant recommendation it was too), and I have since recommended her to several other friends and colleagues.

Ivana on March 25, 2024 at 08:43 am

Elizabeth is an outstanding interview coach whom I highly recommend. Her sessions helped me overcome insecurities as a non-native speaker working in higher education, boosting my confidence and highlighting my skills and abilities. Elizabeth’s calm and kind attitude helped me to stay grounded, but also guided me back to my strengths when I felt lost during the interview, ultimately leading to the attainment of my dream job. I am immensely grateful for her support and look forward to future collaborations.

Sonal on February 22, 2024 at 13:04 pm

Elizabeth is a very supportive coach. I was applying for a Business Analyst role and within an hour of a second interview I was called back by the company to let me know that they really liked me and offered me the job. I thought I knew how to use the STAR approach before but Elizabeth has a unique interpretation of it and I was complimented on my response. What really helped me was the way she broke the STAR up for me in a way which was relevant to the role and sector I was going for. My interview felt much more like a conversation. I learnt a lot and feel so much more confident in interviews

Aashna on February 20, 2024 at 12:50 pm

After five years abroad,I decided to re enter the London job market. Having used Elizabeth's services before, I did not hesitate to contact her again. With her guidance and support I was successful in getting offers from multiple companies. Elizabeth is sincere and cares about her clients and their job satisfaction beyond the remit of her role as an interview coach, her many years of experience give her a discerning eye and she can predict in a very short space of time what her clients need and how to get them from A to B. I would recommend her wholeheartedly. She also goes out of her way to make time for her clients and is very punctual and organised.

Kris on January 30, 2024 at 12:43 pm

I was feeling insecure in my communication skills when I met with Elizabeth for a mock interview. Her knowledge paired with her straightforward approach meant that in one hour we had covered a number of actionable insights that instantly boosted my confidence. I walked into the interview with a clear plan (and renewed belief in my competence) and dare I say I even enjoyed it! Thank you for doing what you do!

Let's chat about coaching