Starting a professional CV writing and career services business is one of the smartest ways to make money in today’s job market. Many job seekers do not know how to write a good CV. Many do not know how to prepare for interviews, how to write cover letters, how to build LinkedIn profiles, or how to position themselves for better opportunities. This creates a huge demand for experts who can help people present themselves well.
The job market is becoming more competitive every day. Employers are looking for skilled workers, but they receive hundreds of CVs for every position. A well written CV gives a job seeker a better chance. This is why the need for a professional CV writing and career services business continues to grow in Nigeria and across the world.
If you want to start this business, you do not need a large office or expensive tools. What you need is skill, structure, strategy, and the ability to help people communicate their strengths in simple words. This guide will show you all the steps you need to take to build a strong, profitable, and reliable business in this field.
Why Start a CV Writing and Career Services Business
A professional CV writing and career services business is a smart choice because people are always looking for jobs. As long as graduates are leaving school, as long as workers want better pay, and as long as companies are hiring, the demand for CV writing will continue.
Here are some reasons why this business is a great idea:
- You can start with little or no money
- You can work from home
- You can work for clients worldwide
- You can grow the business into a large agency
- You can add more services like coaching, LinkedIn optimisation, and job search support
- Your work helps people change their lives
This business is also flexible. You can offer different packages and reach many people through social media, job platforms, and referrals.
Steps to Start a Professional CV Writing and Career Services Business
Step 1: Learn the Skill
To run a professional CV writing and career services business, you must know how to write a strong CV. A good CV is clear, simple, well structured, and tailored to the job. You must understand how recruiters think, how applicant tracking systems work, and what makes a CV stand out.
You should learn how to write:
- CVs
- Resumes
- Cover letters
- LinkedIn summaries
- Personal statements
- Career profiles
You should also learn how to guide people on interview preparation and career growth. You do not need a degree for this, but you need skills. There are many online platforms where you can learn CV writing. You can also study samples or practice with friends until you become good.
Step 2: Choose the Services You Want to Offer
A strong professional CV writing and career services business should offer more than one service. This makes your business more valuable and helps you reach different types of clients.
Common services include:
- CV writing
- Cover letter writing
- LinkedIn optimisation
- Interview coaching
- Career counselling
- Job search support
- Portfolio creation
- Personal branding guides
- Salary negotiation tips
- Professional email templates
You do not need to offer everything on day one. Start with what you can handle, then expand over time.
Step 3: Define Your Target Market
Not everyone is your customer. You must know who you want to work with. This is a major step in building a strong business.
Here are some possible target groups:
- Fresh graduates
- Job seekers changing careers
- Professionals applying for international jobs
- Executives applying for senior roles
- Tech workers
- Nurses and medical workers
- Public sector job seekers
If you know your target audience, your marketing becomes easier and your content becomes stronger.
Step 4: Create a Strong Brand
Branding helps people trust you. In a professional CV writing and career services business, your brand should look clean, simple, and professional. People are giving you their career information, so they want to feel safe.
Your brand should include:
- A business name
- A simple logo
- A colour style
- A professional email
- A WhatsApp line
- A strong Instagram or LinkedIn presence
Make sure your brand looks consistent everywhere.
Step 5: Set Your Prices
Pricing is very important. You must choose prices that reflect your skill but still fit your market. Many CV writers in Nigeria charge between 5,000 and 40,000 depending on experience and service level. International CV writers charge between 50 and 300 dollars.
You can create packages like:
- Basic CV
- CV and cover letter
- CV and LinkedIn optimisation
- Full job search package
- Interview preparation package
Packages help clients choose easily and allow you to earn more.
Step 6: Build a Portfolio
Before clients trust you, they want to see your work. A portfolio shows your skills and your style. You do not need many samples. Four to six samples are enough at the start.
Your portfolio should include:
- Before and after CV samples
- LinkedIn profile samples
- Testimonials from people you helped
- Short case studies
- Simple designs that show your skill
You can create a small website or use Google Drive.
Step 7: Create a Strong Online Presence
A professional CV writing and career services business needs online visibility. Most clients will find you online, not offline. You should use the platforms where job seekers spend their time.
Platforms to use:
- TikTok
- WhatsApp status
- Your own website
Post helpful tips like CV mistakes, interview advice, job updates, and job application tips. This will make people trust you and attract clients.
Step 8: Market Your Business
Marketing is how clients find you. You need a simple strategy that brings people in every day.
Try these methods:
- Post simple career tips daily
- Use WhatsApp broadcasts
- Create helpful videos
- Offer free CV reviews sometimes
- Run social media ads
- Partner with HR communities
- Join job groups
- Use LinkedIn to reach professionals
- Work with recruitment agencies
The more people see your content, the more clients you attract.
Step 9: Deliver High Quality Work
Your work is your advertisement. If you deliver poor work, clients will not return. Focus on clarity, structure, and simple language. Avoid complicated designs. Many companies prefer clean and easy to read CVs.
Make sure every CV is:
- Tailored
- Clear
- Error free
- Well structured
- ATS friendly
- Focused on results
Great work leads to referrals, and referrals are the best part of this business.
Step 10: Create a Smooth Process
Having a simple process makes your work easier. Every client should have the same experience.
Your process can include:
- A form for client details
- A WhatsApp or email chat
- A clear timeline
- One revision
- A final delivery in PDF and Word format
When clients know what to expect, they trust you more.
Step 11: Offer Extra Services for More Income
You can grow your professional CV writing and career services business by adding extra services. These services help you earn more without much additional work.
Extra services can include:
- Career coaching
- Job application support
- Online course creation
- LinkedIn workshops
- CV writing classes
- Personal branding classes
- Recruitment services
Your business can grow into a full career agency.
Step 12: Ask for Reviews and Testimonials
Reviews help you build trust. After every job, ask clients to share feedback. These reviews can be used on your website, WhatsApp, Instagram, and LinkedIn
Testimonials increase sales because job seekers trust the opinions of others.
Step 13: Stay Updated
The job market changes often. To stay relevant, you must keep learning. Follow HR pages, read job updates, and learn new CV formats. This helps you stay ahead of other CV writers.
Conclusion
A professional CV writing and career services business is a powerful way to earn money, build a brand, and help people grow in their careers. You can start small and grow into a well known agency. With strong skills, clear branding, good marketing, and great customer service, you can build a profitable business that people trust.
Also Read:How to Transition Careers in Nigeria’s Evolving Job Market
