It is possible to get help from the numerous web sites offering their expertise. Look carefully at the qualifications of the practitioners. If they have a history within recruitment, then it would seem likely that they would understand the needs of recruiters.

Having said that, they may not gain a really clear understanding of you; your strengths and preferences, the stage you have got to in your career and the type of person you are. It might make more sense to draw up a list of your skills, paid and unpaid experience, education and personal details and go to see a careers adviser. If one isn't available free of charge, you still need to consider whether or not it would still be a good investment to pay for their help.

If you are updating what you already have, or are refreshing the approach of your current cv, then you could do worse than to read the relevant chapters of my book on careers guidance. Although this was written for actual careers advisers, the general principles for writing cvs and personal statements remain the same.

For general advice on writing CVs, go to the CareerSteer web page
Guidance Handbook Chapter 13: CVs - General Points

For advice on applications, supporting statements and personal statements - for admission to higher education as well as jobs - go to the CareerSteer web page
Guidance Handbook Chapter 14: Applications, Supporting Statements and Personal Statements

For examples of what to do, as well as general advice, there are a lot of books written on the subject of CVs and applications. I would suggest using the advice in the two chapters of my book as your core knowledge before reading any of these. For the best books on careers, including on CVs, go through to CareerSteer's page on books.

New and used books can of course be purchased from a range of booksellers including

• Amazon
• AbeBooks
• ExLibris