Ben Shaw

Phone or email Ben about your job search situation:

Phone: 021 556 221

(international dial +64 2155 6221)

Email: ben@successfulresumes.co.nz

I am a professional recruiter and CV writer with 15 years’ experience working in the NZ/UK government and private sectors. My team and I work with individual clients, recruitment agencies, management consultants and private businesses on a range of recruitment and CV projects.

Landing your dream job in today’s competitive market can be a big challenge and pretty daunting. Making a great first impression with targeted application documents is critical to getting the interview you want. I help my clients understand and navigate the job application process, creating documents, and connecting them with job vacancies and senior recruiters.

I’m always happy to speak to people about any aspect of the job application process. Feel free to call me on the above number if you’d like to find out how we can help.

Testimonials

"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."

Dee

Senior Solicitor

"Before I met Ben, I applied for 11 jobs and only got one interview. I was actually getting quite depressed. But once I started using my new CV that Ben wrote for me, I got three interviews straight away, and now I have new job. Thanks for making me look so great on paper!"

Update: "PS. A follow up to let you know I was successful in securing the job and I am very grateful to be sitting here in this new role. Thank YOU so much for your very big part in all this."

Janie Walker

Research Analyst

"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 invitation for interviews coming in).

I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your help and professionalism. I am soooooooo 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."

Executive Assistant

DPMC

"I cant thank you enough for your support, assistance and in-depth discussion in preparing me for my next career move.

To be shortlisted in many roles with the ability to have choice is testament to your consultation process, resource tools and the final products you provide allowing for ease of contextualising material for specific career opportunities. All opportunities considered, I decided to take an exciting senior management position as Director in the health sector. I am extremely appreciative of the extras such as sharing your network contacts and understanding of the market, impacting to date on my career success."

Taulalo

Director

"I hadn't applied for a job in over 13 years and when my dream job was advertised, didn't know where to start. Ben sat down with me to understand my skills and the requirements of the role. The result was a professional CV that linked everything I had to offer and had achieved, to the needs of the job. I am pleased to say that I got the job! Ben clearly understands recruitment and his value is in understanding the person and the job, and linking the two together."

Garratt Williamson

Professional Rugby Referee

"Sometimes it is difficult to get your foot in the door when you have been working for over 25 years. For example, my skills are very unique and broad and in various fields that my CV was not specific enough for the jobs I was applying for. When I searched online for someone to do my CV Ben stood out for several reasons. He has a personal approach with the process. He asks about your work experience, key skills and strengths, and is able to identify the things that employers will be interested in. The first thing that my interviewer said to me was "We are so impressed with your CV". I do not mind paying money for quality, it was all worth it. Thank you Ben."

L. Sione

Tertiary Tutor/Lecturer

"Ben has a recruiters 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

"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

Change Manager/Advisor

"Just wanted to let you know that the first job I applied for with my new cv I've got an interview! Thanks for getting me in the door."

Mel

Teacher

"I've just realised that I did not tell you how I went applying for new jobs.

I got the entry level Planning/Business Analyst job! The scope of the job changed after I had accepted it to include BA and Project Co-coordinator work. I have already been allocated a big job (and I haven't started the role yet). I also got a big pay rise - which you predicted. I start the new job tomorrow, I am equal parts nervous and excited.

One of the managers that interviewed me said my CV was great. So thank you for your help!"

K Macdonald

Wellington

"Ben provides an incredible service for those of us with long work histories and a wide range of experience who want to condense their profile into a short, concise, marketable format. Successful Resumes were so easy to work with, prompt and amazingly efficient. Their shining skill is their ability to quickly understand your objectives and to portray those to future employers through the written word. I would highly recommend Ben and his team to anyone -they're amazing!"

Libby C

Wellington

"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

HR Advisor & CoordINATOR

"Just thought I'd drop you a line to say I got the job. Very happy and I know your input and CV put me at the top of the (very large) pile, so thanks again."

Dave Bevin

Estimator - EQC

"Hi Ben, Have been meaning to email you to say I got the job! Just wanted to touch base and say thanks again for doing a great job on the CV and I have already recommended your services to several friends."

Team Leader

Reserve Bank

"I found that the final version of the CV was outstanding and was really pleased with the end result. You were really helpful and understanding throughout the entire process which made creating my CV a lot less stressful!"

R Kingsford

Wellington

"You might remember me from a few weeks ago. Since I've seen you I've had two job interviews and got offered BOTH of them. Turned them down but all good. But then last Friday I get an email finally from the Company for an interview today at 445pm. This is the one I was really going for when I came to see you! I'm totally freaking out and I'm not that confident but I'll try. I believe it's totally because of the CV and letter you did Ben!"
Update: "I GOT THE XXXXXXXXXXXXXX JOB!!! I would not have got this without you!!! I can't believe I went for 3 jobs. Got 3 interviews and got offered ALL 3 JOBS!! including the one I was originally gunning for! I seriously can't believe it."

Sharna

Senior Administrator

"I wanted to get my CV written professionally, and really had nowhere to begin. Ben's website came up among several others on google, and I had a look through all of them. I found his site to be concise, accessible and comprehensive – and this absolutely showed through in the final product. I would be more than happy to recommend Ben's services, I found him professional, easy to deal with and am more than happy with my choice."

D French

National Sales Manager

"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

Wellington

"I found it extremely beneficial using Ben for the writing of my Resume. Coming to Sydney was pretty daunting as it was and finding a job was my biggest goal and challenge. I registered with various recruitment agencies and many commented on my resume especially in terms of how easy it was to read and with only the relevant details provided. It took me a couple of months to find my job but I eventually found one with a great company and great people and I have no doubt that a large part of me gaining employment was down to my resume getting me through the first steps in the recruitment process."

Mariana

Sydney

"Ben at Successful Resumes did a fantastic job of producing a great CV for me. He spent time talking with me to assess the career opportunity I was pursuing to make sure the CV was correctly tailored. I had the chance to review the CV before Ben finalised it. The end result was a professional targeted CV that was fit for purpose. The final product was delivered ahead of time and at a very reasonable cost given Ben's service, attention to detail and the high quality he provides. I was successful in the job application and the CV that Ben produced for me was without doubt a contributor to this outcome. I recommend Successful Resumes to anyone who is looking for a bespoke and high quality CV."

Liz C

Wellington

"As a recent graduate looking for employment in the public sector Ben was instrumental in helping me navigate the whole process from producing a great CV targeting my relevant strengths, to having one on one consultations in regards to helping refine my job search, and when the time came, job interview preparations. The end result was having a few job offers to choose from and again Ben was incredibly helpful with his advice and knowledge in the area. Luckily, I was successful in the job application and Ben's help with every stage of this, I feel, was instrumental in this success. I would highly recommend Successful Resume's and Ben's work, especially to recent graduates."

Elly Skoko

Analyst,
Government Sector

"As a graduate it can be really hard to recognise what is relevant to an employee and what isn't.Ben was great, he identified the areas I should be showing off, as well as showing me the things an employer doesn't care about. It was a very simple process, one meeting and a few emails, and I had my CV all finished. I was really happy with the result and when the time comes I'll be following up with Ben to update my CV."

Sophie W

Law Graduate

"Ben was very professional but also great at helping me navigate through the process of creating an outstanding CV. I enjoyed the collaboration Ben displays when designing a bespoke CV. His knowledge of what employers are seeking from applicants is next level. I would not hesitate to contact Ben again or highly recommend him to others who are needing professional help to create a powerful CV."

Godfrey J. Rudolph

Māori CUltural Advisor

"I found Ben to be very thorough and highly professional in his processes of creating a resume for me. I am very happy with the end result & have also found the accompanying job search toolkit CD most useful as I have never had to submit a resume for a job application before. I had been in the same job for 25 years & my previous jobs had all been obtained through word of mouth before resumes were really used. I would recommend anyone to use Successful Resumes."

Garry G

Wellington

“I would definitely recommend Ben to other job seekers. He knows what recruiters and employers are looking for in a modern CV. He was able to take my two pages of job responsibilities and show what I actually achieved. I think this is what most people struggle with when putting their own CV together. My CV opened the door for graduate opportunities in government and I soon secured my first serious job with XXX. I couldn't have done this without Ben's help."

Anne

Public Sector Finance graduate

"My reason for selecting a professional to rewrite my CV was that I had over the years been tweaking and adding to my resume but realised I hadn’t really given much thought to what my added experience actually meant in terms of career and future job search. I noticed that my words were out of date and not current with the climate of the job market, and that I was probably underselling myself. Ben was brilliant to work with, I didn’t get an ‘off the shelf’ CV template that I could have googled myself, Ben sat with me and took time to talk about my experience and achievements and about what I was looking for in my next career move. He then pulled my information together and reorganised my thoughts. While the content was not significantly different the positioning and visibility of what’s important was entirely different. I feel that my CV is a good reflection of the best I have to offer and am proud to send it out to prospective employers."

Daile

Corporate Services Director

"Using Successful Resumes was a great move. Ben made the process so easy and flawless and I ended up with a fantastic resume. I recommend this service if you are serious about presenting yourself well."

Marek

Operations Manager