CV 4 Jobs

Quite often the CV is not the problem

I regularly get requests for CV writing and design services from jobseekers only to find out that this is actually not the problem. When jobseekers are not attending interviews it is obvious to think the CV is not working. Quite often the CV is reasonable and the problem lies in level of activity and job search strategies. This is where a little black recruitment book comes in handy as it will provide a clear picture of what you are doing. It sounds obvious but if you are not applying for jobs you will not get any interviews.

Are you struggling in the job market and don’t know why. Speak to an expert!!

Would you pin your CV to the side of a public phone box or put it on the notice board of a local supermarket to try and get a job?

Lets face it we are getting lazy when it comes to finding a job. Email a CV to an agency and sit back or post your CV on an online job board and let the employers find you.

If you use these strategies you might take a little more care.

A client (who happens to work in recruitment for a financial services company) told me today that she had recently received spec CV’s from some recruitment companies. What is wrong with this? Well for two of the CV’s it would not have taken a rocket scientist to work out who owned the CV. In relation to jobboards they may not be as safe as you think – read this post.

What problems can arise?

The obvious is that your current employer finds out that you are looking but more importantly CV’s have personal details like name, address and contact details. (Dangerous in wrong hands – fraudster or weirdo)

Solutions

Use reputable agencies or request that your CV is not sent out speculatively. Use established jobboards.

Here is the scenario – you are searching for a job BUT you are struggling to get interviews. You have been applying for many jobs directly through the newspapers but you don’t seem to have the relevant qualifications or experience stated. This means straight to the PFO pile or more politely – the thanks but no thanks pile.

What do you do?

If you keep doing what you are doing then you will keep getting the same results. In your case – NO interviews and therefore NO job.

a) Try a different strategy.

There are many strategies to can source new employment such as networking, recruitment agencies or online job boards. Explore these avenues as they many produce different results.

b) Play a game of hide the CV.

When many organisations recruit staff they use the following process. Design a job spec, post an advert and screen CV’s according to the job spec, interviews for successful and rejection for unsuccessful. Most employers realise that there are applicants who apply that are capable of doing the job but they are being rejected because they don’t fit the job specification. If you send your CV it will go straight into the “NO” pile.

Here is the challenge or game. Try to get an interview without sending a CV. This will involve calling the hiring manager, using the short time you have to make a pitch and secure an interview without him/her actually seeing your CV. It is difficult but it can be achieved.

I was very impressed by this CV and I would certainly call this jobseeker for Interview.

Enjoy

It is essential that jobseekers move away from the scattergun approach when sending CV’s and job applications. This approach can only lead one route – into the wrong job or career. I understand that for some people there is pressure to get work quickly BUT for most of us we have the luxury to take our time. Planning your route will reduce the chance of getting lost. Analyse what it is you want and when possible research a company before you apply.

If you don’t believe me you may have read in the papers today about one lady who in here words “I applied for job and ended up working in a brothel”.

You have been warned!!!!

Job hunting can be a difficult and stressful task for most but what I don’t understand is why jobseekers make it more difficult for themselves. I received a CV today from a senior professional working in the Financial Services sector. The CV needed a fair bit of work BUT one thing jumped out from the page immediately. What was this you ask? Was it poor spelling and grammar – no, was it poor formatting – guess again or did t lack impact – wrong again. This jobseeker had a ridiculous contact email address. If you are trying to create a professional image you certainly will not impress with an email address like funkymonkey2222@hotmail.com, dippyhippy1234@yahoo.ie or dumbestblond@gmail.com. Do yourself a favour and make life easier – set up an alternative email account.