Hiring has changed. Most CVs haven’t.

Skills-based hiring, AI-generated CVs, flooded candidate pools, and misaligned expectations have created a growing disconnect between candidates and recruiters, making it harder to stand out and connect meaningfully. Yet most people will revert to the traditional approach: scrolling Seek, LinkedIn or government job boards, finding something that feels close enough, hitting apply, then hoping for the best.

So what should I do instead?

Your job search will work better when you lead it, not chase it.

That means:

  • getting clear on what you actually offer (beyond job titles and generic skills)

  • positioning your experience around capability and impact

  • targeting the right opportunities and people

  • having better conversations, earlier

That’s the difference between being one of many and being seen and understood.

This is where we come in.


Services

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

Ready to make your next move?

Whether you’re preparing for change or responding to it, StellarCVs can help.

Clear, recruiter-informed support for CVs, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and job search strategy.

Let’s make sure your next application lands for all the right reasons.

Partners

FIND Recruitment
Rothley
Robert Walters