CV writing service or do it yourself?
No time or energy to write your own CV? Then having someone else write it seems the obvious choice. That could be a professional CV writer, an AI chatbot such as ChatGPT, or a CV maker that helps you while you stay in control. Each option has pros and cons. On this page we put them side by side, honestly, so you can choose what suits you.
Three ways to get a good CV
Broadly, there are three routes. You hire a professional CV writer or careers adviser. You let an AI chatbot write the text and put it into a document yourself. Or you make your CV yourself with a tool that handles the design and helps with the wording.
Which route is best depends on your situation. If your story is complicated, such as a career change or a long gap in employment, a conversation with an experienced writer can genuinely add something. If you mainly want a polished CV for a regular job ad, making it yourself with good help is usually enough.
Comparison: do it yourself, hire a writer or use AI
| With theCVrocket | Hiring a CV writer | Having an AI chatbot write it | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | One-off €4.95 to download | Usually considerably more, varies widely by provider | Often free to try, sometimes with a paid subscription |
| Time | Roughly half an hour to an hour | A conversation plus waiting for the first draft | Fast, but then you format and check it yourself |
| Layout | Ready-made design, PDF and Word | Done for you | None, you only get text |
| Personal advice | Tips and a CV score in the builder | Yes, that's the main added value | Only if you ask the right questions |
| Risk of invented content | AI help only uses what you enter | Low, you review the draft | Real, chatbots sometimes fill gaps themselves |
| Editing later | Yourself, for a year at no extra cost | Often new contact and sometimes a new fee | Yourself, but redo the layout |
| Privacy | Your CV stays in your browser | You share your details with the writer | Depends on the service and your settings |
We don't quote other providers' prices, because they vary widely. With a writer, always ask beforehand exactly what's included.
How much does a CV writing service cost?
It varies enormously. Some writers offer a fixed package, others charge by the hour or per session. There's often a difference between simply rewriting your CV and a full package with a cover letter and LinkedIn profile. So always ask for a clear quote and check how many rounds of revisions are included.
Doing it yourself mainly costs time. With theCVrocket, building and previewing is free, and you pay a one-off €4.95 when you want to download your CV as PDF and Word, including a cover letter in the same design.
When is a professional CV writer worth it?
A good CV writer asks questions you wouldn't ask yourself. That's valuable if you're not sure what your strengths are, if you want to move into a completely different sector, or if you're applying for a senior role where your CV really needs to tell a story.
If you choose a writer, keep these points in mind:
- Ask for an example of previous work, without other people's personal details.
- Ask whether you'll receive the file in Word, so you can edit it yourself later.
- Agree how many rounds of revisions are included.
- Be wary of promises about the number of interviews. Nobody can guarantee you'll be invited.
Can AI or ChatGPT write your CV?
Yes, an AI chatbot such as ChatGPT can write CV text in seconds. That's handy if you don't know where to start. But there are a few things to watch out for.
A chatbot sometimes fills in the gaps itself. Ask it for a strong CV and it may add tasks, results or figures you never achieved. That shows up in an interview. You also only get text: the layout, the order and the file are up to you. And it's easy to paste your whole CV, with name, address and phone number, into a chat window. So think about what you share and how the service handles your data.
If you use a chatbot, only give it your own experience as input, explicitly ask it not to invent anything, and read every sentence back.
The middle ground: do it yourself with AI help in the builder
With theCVrocket you make your CV yourself, but you're not on your own. Your profile and work experience each have a button to write a first draft or improve your text. You can then choose Shorter, More formal or Another version, and Undo puts your own text back.
The writing help is set up to work only with what you enter. It doesn't invent employers, qualifications, certificates or figures. Your name and contact details aren't sent to the AI. Paste a job ad and you can tailor your CV to it: your profile and job descriptions are rewritten using the wording of the ad, only where your CV backs it up, and you decide per section whether to apply the change.
That way you combine the convenience of having it written with the control of doing it yourself.
Make your CV in an hour, with help where you need it
- Open the builder. You don't need an account.
- Import your old CV as PDF or Word, or paste the text. No old CV? Just start with your most recent job.
- Choose a design. Executive suits a formal or senior role, and for large employers the builder recommends Klassiek (classic) or Strak (clean).
- For each job, jot down what you did in a few keywords and let the AI turn it into polished text. Edit it until it sounds like you.
- Paste the job ad into the job match check and see which requested skills are still missing. Only add what's true.
- If you like, have a cover letter drafted in the same design and create practice questions for the interview.
- Download your CV as PDF and Word for a one-off €4.95.
Example: from keywords to strong text
You don't have to be a writer to get a good CV. Start with what you actually did, in your own words, and then tighten it up. Here's what that can look like:
front desk council office, helping residents, passports, driving licences, appointments, phone too, training new colleagues
• Helped residents at the front desk with applications for passports, ID cards and driving licences
• Scheduled appointments and answered questions by phone
• Trained new colleagues in the front desk procedures
After eight years on the front desk at a local council, I want to move into customer service in the private sector. I'm used to explaining things calmly and clearly, even when someone is frustrated. I'm looking for a role where I can help customers by phone and chat.
Work experience on your CV →Writing a personal profile →A CV for a career change →
Can you get a CV written for free?
In the Netherlands there are places where you can get free help with your CV, such as UWV, a public library, your local council's job centre or your school's careers service. What they offer differs from place to place, so ask them directly. They often won't write your CV for you, but they'll help you do it well yourself.
Prefer to get started yourself? In the theCVrocket builder you can create and preview everything for free. You only pay a one-off €4.95 when you download.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to have a CV written?
It varies widely by provider and package. Having a CV written usually costs considerably more than doing it yourself. Always ask beforehand what's included. Making it yourself with theCVrocket costs a one-off €4.95 for PDF and Word.
Is a professionally written CV better?
Not automatically. A good writer can help with your story, but a clear CV you make yourself with good examples and checks can be just as strong. What matters most is that the content is accurate and fits the job.
Can I have ChatGPT write my CV?
You can, but read everything carefully. A chatbot can invent tasks or results, doesn't provide a layout, and you share your details with that service. Only use your own experience as input.
Does theCVrocket's AI help make things up?
The writing help is set up to work only with what you enter and not to invent employers, certificates or figures. Still, always read the text and make it your own.
Can I get a CV written for free?
Sometimes you can get free help from UWV, a library or your local council. Ask them what they offer. With theCVrocket you build and preview your CV for free and only pay when you download.
Do I get a cover letter too?
Yes, with theCVrocket a cover letter in the same design is included in the €4.95. The AI help can draft a first version based on your CV and the job ad.
Can I edit my CV myself later?
Yes. Your payment stays valid for a year, and during that year you can edit your CV as often as you like. You also get a Word file that you can keep editing yourself.
