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Original poster

Man gets job interviews after giving out CVs at a station. No way would I feel safe doing this.

25 replies

Plaintree · 08/09/2020 10:55

This guy in Leeds has been standing in public giving out his CV, and has got a couple of job interviews out of it www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-54063179

It's not the first time someone's done this. I've read a couple of similar stories before.

But it's okay for men, isn't it? As a woman, no way would I ever do this. Can you imagine the dodgy messages you'd get if you handed out pieces of paper in public with your contact details on it? I've already heard of women receiving inappropriate messages on LinkedIn. Not a chance would I put myself at risk.

OP posts:
Original poster
Plaintree · 08/09/2020 13:10

I know sometimes restaurant workers hand in their CV directly to restaurants but it's not the same as standing at a station or in the middle of a street.

OP posts:
lljkk · 08/09/2020 13:14

I might do it, I kind of have done it. I put notes thru random letterboxes when I was 14 & 15 trying to get casual work. No weirdos found, but I did get some suitable paid work.

ChaChaCha2012 · 08/09/2020 13:18

Women have done it. It's not uncommon to see men and women handing out their CV at train stations.

Original poster
Plaintree · 08/09/2020 13:19

Putting notes through letter boxes still isn't the same thing though.

OP posts:
ChaChaCha2012 · 08/09/2020 13:20

I expect the man in the story is newsworthy because he's not the normal age group that would be doing it.

lljkk · 08/09/2020 13:20

well, my contract is rather insecure, so maybe I'll try the CV handout at station method myself! Let you know if I get to thinking that's my only option.

I heard the guy on radio. He was very chatty & introverted. Would be a bit full on in some workplaces. And he's only got interviews & 3 day paid stints, nothing more secure from what he was saying.

Original poster
Plaintree · 08/09/2020 13:22

@ChaChaCha2012

Women have done it. It's not uncommon to see men and women handing out their CV at train stations.
In what part of the world is this not uncommon? I've never seen anyone doing this in real life.
OP posts:
bluebluezoo · 08/09/2020 13:23

I heard the guy on radio. He was very chatty & introverted. Would be a bit full on in some workplaces

How can you tell he’s introverted if he was chatty on the radio? I know many introverts can appear outgoing in social situations, but interested to know how you worked out he’s an introvert?

lljkk · 08/09/2020 13:26

I made a huge non-scientific assumption based on his presentation -- and I'm happy to bet money on it. He knew it was a golden opportunity to sell himself and well done on him to go for it.

bluebluezoo · 08/09/2020 13:28

How did you reach your conclusion though? I’m an introvert and can sometimes put on an act and appear outgoing, but I am interested to know what the giveaways are. Maybe I’m not able to hide it as well as I think!

lljkk · 08/09/2020 13:29

ps, I screwed up! I meant to write EX troverted.

-What I get for typing here while listening in while on work telecon
Just had an interesting stat to write down...

Original poster
Plaintree · 08/09/2020 13:34

@lljkk

I made a huge non-scientific assumption based on his presentation -- and I'm happy to bet money on it. He knew it was a golden opportunity to sell himself and well done on him to go for it.
Of course. With all the publicity he's got, hopefully he'll get a load of leads and contacts that will eventually lead to a job. Although I do think his interesting work history helps. The media like the fact that he's worked at Buckingham Palace. Maybe it wouldn't have been such a story if his work history was a bit more bog standard.
OP posts:
Original poster
Plaintree · 08/09/2020 13:36

I'm going to go back to my original question though. How many women would really feel safe doing this?

OP posts:
nosswith · 08/09/2020 13:36

Sadly you may be right.

Original poster
Plaintree · 08/09/2020 13:41

And imagine if a woman did this and it was reported in the news, imagine all the comments about it on social media. You could pretty much guarantee how different they'd be.

OP posts:
dottiedodah · 08/09/2020 14:14

Well I have heard about similar in the past .Seems a good idea to me! Usually Students who are desperate for a job! Maybe not sensible for Ladies granted ,but surely if you arrived at a large well known bank for example it would be safe ?

Moooooooooooooooooo · 08/09/2020 14:15

Ummmm, just use a cheap burner phone if you’re that worried.

Houseplanted · 08/09/2020 14:18

I don’t see why a woman can’t do it. There’s no need to add an address or even a phone number, an email address just used for job hunting would do.

viccat · 08/09/2020 14:34

I know what you mean OP and agree. Not just in this context though, but anything else that involves giving out my contact details/address etc. I bet men don't have to worry about a builder or pizza delivery driver texting them afterwards to ask them out... (both have happened to me)

Original poster
Plaintree · 08/09/2020 16:23

@viccat It's also happened with track and trace! There have been women who gave their details to the restaurant and then a waiter would contact them for a date. I've been to a few pubs and restaurants recently and I always insist on my husband leaving his phone number and not mine.

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 08/09/2020 16:41

@viccat

I know what you mean OP and agree. Not just in this context though, but anything else that involves giving out my contact details/address etc. I bet men don't have to worry about a builder or pizza delivery driver texting them afterwards to ask them out... (both have happened to me)
I’ve seen several MN threads along the lines of “I really fancy the builder / plumber / DC’s tutor and think he fancies me, should I text him to say something?” where the OP has received the advice to go for it, so not sure it’s limited to just the other way around.

I don’t put my address on my CV anyway and if you were really concerned about identifying details you could buy a burner PAYG mobile and create a new email address purely for the purpose of employment responses. I’m not disputing that women are perhaps more likely to encounter unwanted contact by handing their CV out to all and sundry, but it can be worked around.

nosswith · 08/09/2020 17:43

He's 63. A 63 year old woman would probably be ignored, a 23 year old woman hassled.

Original poster
Plaintree · 08/09/2020 18:44

@nosswith

He's 63. A 63 year old woman would probably be ignored, a 23 year old woman hassled.
Yep.
OP posts:
CatsFantastic · 08/09/2020 18:49

Why are there posters on here so determined to willfully dismiss the fact that women have serious concerns about their safety in situations where men would not have to worry about their safety ?

Women are at a far greater risk of sexual violence than men, and we have to acknowledge that.

Original poster
Plaintree · 08/09/2020 18:50

@CatsFantastic

Why are there posters on here so determined to willfully dismiss the fact that women have serious concerns about their safety in situations where men would not have to worry about their safety ?

Women are at a far greater risk of sexual violence than men, and we have to acknowledge that.

Thank you.
OP posts:
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