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StellarCVs

About

A recruiter's eye, on your side of the table.

Twenty years in and around recruitment, and since 2011 helping people across New Zealand and internationally understand their value and show it.

My career started in recruitment in UK manufacturing, then moved into the New Zealand public sector. In 2011 I started StellarCVs, and since then I’ve worked with clients from every industry and every level - graduates, specialists, managers and chief executives.

Why I do this

The employment market is changing fast, particularly with AI in recruitment. More and more, my work is about helping people understand their professional capabilities, communicate their experience with evidence, develop their networks and take greater control of their careers.

Most people are far better at their jobs than they are at describing them. That gap is where applications fail, and closing it is what I do.

How I work

Everything starts with a conversation. I ask a lot of questions, I listen for the achievements people don’t think to mention, and I translate that into documents and a plan that make sense to the person reading them - the recruiter or hiring manager.

I’m well connected in the New Zealand recruitment market and, where it makes sense, I introduce clients directly to recruiters I trust.

Beyond StellarCVs

Alongside StellarCVs I co-founded StellarCareers with Peter de Boer, a structured career transition programme for senior professionals, and I’m developing Kojiex, an AI-enabled career and interview coaching platform.

Client feedback

Outstanding and highly recommended! Ben has an incredible gift for asking the right questions and distilling the essence of your professional experience into a compelling CV. What amazed me most was how clearly I saw myself in the final version. Ben is really well networked in the NZ recruitment industry and was able to personally introduce me to multiple recruiters. With only a couple of years of NZ experience and where network is everything, this package is exactly what I needed. Ben’s a blast!

Marlies Koch · Group Product Director | LawVu

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.

DeAnne Brabant · Special Counsel | Senior Litigation Lawyer | Partner, Shieff Angland

Hi Ben, I wanted to share some good news - thanks to your help, I’ve received an offer! - a 9 month contract with AIA New Zealand as the Marketing Specialist working on marketing automation… Also I met Rhys today, and he’s absolutely brilliant! One of the most professional recruiters I’ve encountered over the years - across the UK, China, and Hong Kong… I wouldn’t have received the offer or met Rhys without your help - thank you again!

Melanie Man · Senior Marketing & Product Manager

I was introduced to Ben by a colleague who said “Since Ben re-wrote my CV I’ve had an interview for every job I’ve applied for.” Trying to articulate my experience given my brain logic was pretty painful (I think) for Ben to get to grips with. He did amazingly. I was looking for a significant step up and a new sector to move into. My investment in Ben’s skills paid out. It was the best investment I could have made. I asked the interviewers why they selected me and one DCE said “I liked the short succinct CV.” Top job Ben. I’m loving the new role and value all your energy trying to fathom out what my skill sets were.

Michelle Lewis · Director & National Programme Manager

Ben did a fantastic job creating a targeted, professional CV tailored to the role I was pursuing. He took the time to understand my goals, sought feedback before finalising, and delivered ahead of schedule. The result was a high-quality, bespoke CV that absolutely contributed to my successful application. His service, attention to detail, and value for money were exceptional. I’d highly recommend Ben to anyone seeking a truly personalised, high-impact CV.

Liz Cairns · Head of Strategy & Research, Transport Accident Commission (Aus)

Ben supported me through a successful senior executive application process. Despite 40+ years of experience, I’d had little exposure to formal recruitment and found it daunting. With his help, I applied for two roles and was offered both. Ben developed a professional CV, crafted targeted cover letters, and guided me through each interview with confidence. His insight and support were invaluable — I highly recommend him to anyone pursuing senior executive opportunities.

Graham Burke · Transformation Lead, MBIE

I am in no doubt that your updated CV and assistance helped set the tone and led to some great conversations with the Board Chair prior to applying and it has been all great since. So thank you!

Tim Anderson · CEO, HUTEC

I was really impressed by the service Ben provided. The CV was developed within the week and clearly articulated my experience in a clear and professional manner. Whilst the CV development service was impressive, I found Ben’s advice on recruitment strategy of most value. He knew what prospective employees and their recruitment agencies were looking for, assisted with applications and provided some great insights and feedback. Highly recommended.

Michael Wentworth · GM Sustainability & Strategic Projects, Yealands Wine Group

When I started exploring my next career move, I struggled to tell my story in a way that resonated with the market. A friend recommended Ben, and the impact was instant. I began getting interviews for great roles and ultimately secured a senior finance position in the Middle East. Ben captured my experience perfectly and offered practical, strategic advice that put me back in control of my career. The process was easy, fast, and genuinely effective. Highly recommended!

Robert Whitefield · Director, Finance & Corporate Services, St Patrick's College

Ben has been great to work with. I was getting a decent hit rate with my own CV but was lacking confidence in how to present myself. Ben produced a high quality CV that resulted in shortlisted interviews for over 90% of the jobs I applied for. We arranged several interview coaching sessions which covered understanding the interview process and expectations, how to prepare and formulate answers, some mock interview questions and all the tricky stuff around how to sell yourself in the interview. I truly believe I wouldn’t have landed my dream job without Ben’s support. I learned so much about myself and have gained confidence and presentation skills. I highly recommend investing in Ben as a CV and job coach.

Helen Alexandrou · Technical BA

The stellar CV got me in the door, and the interview coaching helped to focus on interview prep and practice short and succinct examples. I used just about all the examples I had prepped, had an excellent interview with a good flow of energy and asked some spot on questions at the end. Thanks for your coaching, a good investment in this tricky job market!!

Caren Berlin · Principal Advisor, MBIE

After years of tweaking my own CV, I realised it no longer reflected my experience or today’s job market. I was underselling myself. Ben took the time to understand my career story and what I wanted next. The result wasn’t an off-the-shelf template, but a thoughtfully crafted CV that repositioned my strengths and achievements. It now feels current, confident, and genuinely representative of who I am. I’m proud to send it out.

Daile Bramwell · Director, Corporate & Organisational Development (public sector)

Ben not only revamped my CV but helped me rethink how to approach job applications after four years in the same role. We worked together to develop my value proposition, identify transferable strengths and capabilities, and put it all together in a format required by recruiters. His insights and introductions to trusted recruiters gave me real momentum; I was interviewing for exciting roles within days. I can’t recommend Ben and StellarCVs highly enough. The process was practical, confidence-building, and incredibly effective.

Dave Butler-Peck · Senior Project Coordinator, MfE

Ben went above and beyond supporting my application towards becoming a graduate policy advisor in Wellington. He was both personable and engaging in our interview, gathering aspects of my work experience that would be directly relevant. The final result showed attention to detail, with a CV that not only included details of our conversation but also highlighted aspects of his own research. I would highly recommend Ben for anyone wishing to secure an interview in the future!

Richard McLaughlin · Senior Policy Advisor, Inland Revenue

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 invitations for interviews coming in). I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your help and professionalism. I am so 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.

Libby Campion · Executive Assistant, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

Ben, I wanted to thank you for the service you provided me earlier this year. I am now employed again, and in a market where public servants are struggling to find work. I am settled in my new role with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and I know it was your assistance that got me the interview - this is a fact, my manager told me. So, thank you for your help - this has had the highest return on investment I have ever made. Keep up the good work Ben, will see you again when I am aiming for my next promotion.

Amir Nagh · Finance Analyst, MHUD

Ben has a recruiter’s 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, NZTE

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 Maes · Senior Analyst, European Commission

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 · Senior HR Advisor, The Treasury

Ben created a completely new and updated version of my CV for me. Ben is a real expert in this area and fantastic at taking the information you provide about your career and formulating it into a crisp and targeted CV. He also really knows his stuff in the job market field and gave me some great tips and insights. I would recommend that anyone wanting a top CV go straight to Ben.

Dr Anita Perkins · Policy & Research Consultant

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 Heyward · Change Manager

Ben’s understanding of the recruitment market and how best to position yourself for applications is world-class. We worked together to figure out what my next steps should be. He then produced a CV that not only captured my experience and value proposition in a way I couldn’t have done, but the broader service and CV narrative helped me to be better prepared for my interviews. Thank you Ben!

Steve Chevallier-Boutell · Sales Director

As a senior executive it is challenging to work through uncertainty and feel vulnerable as part of making the next step. The intensive, hands-on approach Ben and Peter take built my confidence and helped clarify where I was at and where to focus next. With a clear sense of what mattered most to me, we developed a pitch, outreach plan, and proposition that helped me stand out in a tough employment market. Stellar isn’t there just once – they walk alongside you, refining your approach, insights, and documents as they get to know you and where you’re headed in the job market. It’s absolutely worth the investment and the journey.

Megan McKenna · Exec, Government/Corporate

My work with Peter was crucial in helping me make the best decisions when recently changing roles. I enjoyed using his GHMM model which kept me honest to what’s critical to me being my best self at work.

Frank Walmsley · Manager, IT Operations and Service Management, VTNZ

Peter worked hard to truly understand the elements that were most important to me in my future career. We dug deep together to build a plan that led to my securing my first CEO role.

Anthony de Rose · CEO, Y-Central

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