Hiring has changed. Most CVs haven’t.

Skills-based hiring, flooded candidate pools and mismatched expectations have made the process harder to read from either side. Most people respond the way they always have: scrolling Seek, LinkedIn or government job boards, applying to anything that looks close enough, then waiting to hear back.

So what should I do instead?

Start with what you can prove, not with a job title.

That means:

knowing what you offer beyond your last few roles
building a CV and LinkedIn profile that show it, not just list it
targeting the roles and people worth your time
having the real conversation before you apply, not after

This is where we come in.

Get in touch

Services

Know what you want but not sure how to get there?
- Targeted role search and qualification
- Feedback on fit and eligibility based on expertise and past experience
- Job application strategies - who to contact and how to engage
Practical strategies to help you find and pursue opportunities that match your strengths.
It’s time to move on from generic profiles, personal statements, and responsibility lists.
We’ll help you translate experience into evidence - creating CVs and cover letters that show capability, impact, and fit.
- Evidence-led, capability-focused profiles that prove your value and relevance
- Cover letters that connect motivation with the role and organisation
Being able to show what you’ve done, delivered, and the impact you’ve had on your team and employer is critical - show it up front.
Your LinkedIn profile isn’t an online CV - it’s a shop window.
We’ll help you present a clear, consistent professional story that builds visibility and credibility in a skills-based hiring market.
- Optimised for recruiter search and discovery
- Consistent branding and storytelling across your profiles
LinkedIn, in addition to a recruiter’s own network, is where most searches begin - make your profile worth finding.

How it works

Every project starts with a conversation - phone, online, or over coffee - to understand the role or direction you’re targeting, make sure the fit feels right, and agree on timelines and fees before we begin.

From there, we meet again to dive into the details. We map and qualify your experience against your target applications, ensuring what goes on the page reflects how you stack up against the requirements.

Once the direction is clear, we’ll draft and refine your CV and supporting materials - highlighting your value proposition, expertise, and interests, backing them with evidence, and ensuring you can speak to them confidently at interview.

You’ll have the chance to review and fine-tune as we go, adding context and detail where needed, and ensuring everything feels authentic to you.

When it’s ready, we’ll walk through how to use it effectively across applications, recruiter engagement, and LinkedIn.

It’s a collaborative, straightforward process that gives you both the tools and the confidence to show up clearly in the market.

Behind StellarCVs

- Ben Shaw

I’ve spent 20 years in the recruitment game, first in manufacturing in the UK, then across the New Zealand government.

A few years ago, I decided to reshape how I worked. A new chapter in life meant I needed flexibility, but I also wanted to draw on what I’d learned from my recruitment days to help people present themselves better and make more informed job search choices.

It led to StellarCVs, where I now work with clients across New Zealand and internationally to help them navigate and make sense of the changing hiring landscape. I write CVs, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles - all the essential stuff - but the real value is in the partnership, building a bit of confidence and some direction in how they approach it all.

Through StellarInsights, I’ve explored the bigger picture, researching the gaps, frustrations, and assumptions that shape how hiring works today. Those insights feed directly into how I support clients day to day, keeping the application audience-focused, but, more importantly, helping people feel more in control of the job search.

Client feedback

“Outstanding and highly recommended! Ben has an incredible gift for asking the right questions and distilling the essence of your professional experience into a compelling CV. What amazed me most was how clearly I saw myself in the final version. Ben is really well networked in the NZ recruitment industry and was able to personally introduce me to multiple recruiters. With only a couple of years of NZ experience and where network is everything, this package is exactly what I needed. Ben’s a blast!”
- Marlies Koch - Group Product Director | LawVu
"Ben was brilliant to deal with, from the initial meeting and discussion through to the final product. His knowledge of hiring and shortlisting was a real asset. The CV Ben produced sold me better than I could have dreamed, it was tailored perfectly to the role I was after. I thoroughly recommend Ben and his work.”
- DeAnne Brabant - Special Counsel | Senior Litigation Lawyer | Partner, Shieff Angland
“Hi Ben, I wanted to share some good news - thanks to your help, I’ve received an offer! - a 9 month contract with AIA New Zealand as the Marketing Specialist working on marketing automation… Also I met Rhys today, and he’s absolutely brilliant! One of the most professional recruiters I’ve encountered over the years - across the UK, China, and Hong Kong… I wouldn’t have received the offer or met Rhys without your help - thank you again!”
- Melanie Man - Senior Marketing & Product Manager
“I was introduced to Ben by a colleague who said “Since Ben re-wrote my CV I’ve had an interview for every job I’ve applied for.” Trying to articulate my experience given my brain logic was pretty painful (I think) for Ben to get to grips with. He did amazingly. I was looking for a significant step up and a new sector to move into. My investment in Ben’s skills paid out. It was the best investment I could have made. I asked the interviewers why they selected me and one DCE said “I liked the short succinct CV.” Top job Ben. I’m loving the new role and value all your energy trying to fathom out what my skill sets were.”
- Michelle Lewis - Director & National Programme Manager
“Ben did a fantastic job creating a targeted, professional CV tailored to the role I was pursuing. He took the time to understand my goals, sought feedback before finalising, and delivered ahead of schedule. The result was a high-quality, bespoke CV that absolutely contributed to my successful application. His service, attention to detail, and value for money were exceptional. I’d highly recommend Ben to anyone seeking a truly personalised, high-impact CV.”
- Liz Cairns - Head of Strategy & Research, Transport Accident Commission (Aus)
“Ben supported me through a successful senior executive application process. Despite 40+ years of experience, I’d had little exposure to formal recruitment and found it daunting. With his help, I applied for two roles and was offered both. Ben developed a professional CV, crafted targeted cover letters, and guided me through each interview with confidence. His insight and support were invaluable — I highly recommend him to anyone pursuing senior executive opportunities.”
- Graham Burke - Transformation Lead, MBIE
“I am in no doubt that your updated CV and assistance helped set the tone and led to some great conversations with the Board Chair prior to applying and it has been all great since. So thank you!”
- Tim Anderson - CEO, HUTEC
“I was really impressed by the service Ben provided. The CV was developed within the week and clearly articulated my experience in a clear and professional manner. Whilst the CV development service was impressive, I found Ben’s advice on recruitment strategy of most value. He knew what prospective employees and their recruitment agencies were looking for, assisted with applications and provided some great insights and feedback. Highly recommended.”
- Michael Wentworth - GM Sustainability & Strategic Projects, Yealands Wine Group
“When I started exploring my next career move, I struggled to tell my story in a way that resonated with the market. A friend recommended Ben, and the impact was instant. I began getting interviews for great roles and ultimately secured a senior finance position in the Middle East. Ben captured my experience perfectly and offered practical, strategic advice that put me back in control of my career. The process was easy, fast, and genuinely effective. Highly recommended!”
- Robert Whitefield – Director, Finance & Corporate Services, St Patrick's College
"Ben has been great to work with. I was getting a decent hit rate with my own CV but was lacking confidence in how to present myself. Ben produced a high quality CV that resulted in shortlisted interviews for over 90% of the jobs I applied for. We arranged several interview coaching sessions which covered understanding the interview process and expectations, how to prepare and formulate answers, some mock interview questions and all the tricky stuff around how to sell yourself in the interview. I truly believe I wouldn’t have landed my dream job without Ben’s support. I learned so much about myself and have gained confidence and presentation skills. I highly recommend investing in Ben as a CV and job coach.”
- Helen Alexandrou, Technical BA
“The stellar CV got me in the door, and the interview coaching helped to focus on interview prep and practice short and succinct examples. I used just about all the examples I had prepped, had an excellent interview with a good flow of energy and asked some spot on questions at the end. Thanks for your coaching, a good investment in this tricky job market!!”
- Caren Berlin, Principal Advisor, MBIE
“After years of tweaking my own CV, I realised it no longer reflected my experience or today’s job market. I was underselling myself. Ben took the time to understand my career story and what I wanted next. The result wasn’t an off-the-shelf template, but a thoughtfully crafted CV that repositioned my strengths and achievements. It now feels current, confident, and genuinely representative of who I am. I’m proud to send it out.”
- Daile Bramwell - Director, Corporate & Organisational Development (public sector)
“Ben not only revamped my CV but helped me rethink how to approach job applications after four years in the same role. We worked together to develop my value proposition, identify transferable strengths and capabilities, and put it all together in a format required by recruiters. His insights and introductions to trusted recruiters gave me real momentum; I was interviewing for exciting roles within days. I can’t recommend Ben and StellarCVs highly enough. The process was practical, confidence-building, and incredibly effective.”
- Dave Butler-Peck - Senior Project Coordinator, MfE
“Ben went above and beyond supporting my application towards becoming a graduate policy advisor in Wellington. He was both personable and engaging in our interview, gathering aspects of my work experience that would be directly relevant. The final result showed attention to detail, with a CV that not only included details of our conversation but also highlighted aspects of his own research. I would highly recommend Ben for anyone wishing to secure an interview in the future!”
- Richard McLaughlin - Senior Policy Advisor, Inland Revenue
“Thought I would let you know that I have sent your CV off to several companies over the last two weeks and have had amazing results. I even had a job offer (which I turned down), but am on the final stages of two other jobs (plus more invitations for interviews coming in). I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your help and professionalism. I am so supportive of anybody getting a professional CV – didn't realise what a difference it would make until I got one! Anyway, I will let you know when I have finally secured a job, but wanted to let you know just what a difference you have made.”
- Libby Campion - Executive Assistant, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
“Ben, I wanted to thank you for the service you provided me earlier this year. I am now employed again, and in a market where public servants are struggling to find work. I am settled in my new role with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and I know it was your assistance that got me the interview - this is a fact, my manager told me. So, thank you for your help - this has had the highest return on investment I have ever made. Keep up the good work Ben, will see you again when I am aiming for my next promotion.”
- Amir Nagh - Finance Analyst, MHUD
"Ben has a recruiter's eye for what is important, a way of engaging that challenges you to identify your achievements, and a thoroughly modern template that he helps you craft. I have had a very rewarding week working with Ben.”
- Peter Bull - Executive General Manager, NZTE
"As a foreigner it was hard for me to get a good grasp of what recruiters and employers look for in a New Zealand style CV. Ben helped me out by taking the time to talk to me about my education and experience and providing me with a professional CV, clearly underscoring my core competencies. Multiple recruiters have already said that my CV stands out from the hundreds they see every day!”
- Jonathan Maes - Senior Analyst, European Commission
"Ben knows his stuff! After interviewing me and drilling down on my experiences, he put a CV together that is right on point and I am super confident that it will get me where I need to be. Ben is extremely articulate and a pleasure to deal with – I highly recommend his career advice/ service to anyone – no matter how well you can sell yourself – Ben takes it to the next level!”
- Kylie Fraser - Senior HR Advisor, The Treasury
"Ben created a completely new and updated version of my CV for me. Ben is a real expert in this area and fantastic at taking the information you provide about your career and formulating it into a crisp and targeted CV. He also really knows his stuff in the job market field and gave me some great tips and insights. I would recommend that anyone wanting a top CV go straight to Ben.”
- Dr Anita Perkins - Policy & Research Consultant
"I was asked to send my CV through to a hiring manager today, which I did. His response was (and I quote) 'Terrific CV Heidi, one of the best I have seen.”
- Heidi Heyward - Change Manager
“Ben’s understanding of the recruitment market and how best to position yourself for applications is world-class. We worked together to figure out what my next steps should be. He then produced a CV that not only captured my experience and value proposition in a way I couldn’t have done, but the broader service and CV narrative helped me to be better prepared for my interviews. Thank you Ben!”
- Steve Chevallier-Boutell - Sales Director