Moving from "niche" CV to something more general

[Fressia123]

I have a fairly niche CV that's it's hard to explain to the average recruiter. My longest role was a mix of BPO/call centre/Operations/Project and Product Manager all within content moderation.

I don't have any of the PM certifications (and frankly have no desire to earn them). I was head hunted once (as an Ops Manager) bit now that I'm trying to find something more local I'm struggling to see how to ground it so to speak.

I have an eye on two roles (bothe
have the title of "Sr Programme Manager") I think I could do both BUT the fields are very different, ones is in engineering and the other one in a conservation charity. The latter describes the role very well and I comply with all of the essential but none of the desirables (apart from languages they'd like any out of 6 and I'm fluent in 3 of them).

I've even thought of hiring a career consultant but their fees are ski high!

Fellow niche and confused job seeker here!

As you've highlighted the quickest ways is via a general certification. Even just starting one and adding it to your CV could help get your foot in some doors and look proactive.

You sound fairly senior and fully equipped for either role, why not just call the recruiter directly and arrange a chat about them, explain your experience.

Honestly I really doubt they'll find someone fluent in all 6 languages, so fitting 50% if the requirements is great. Even better if you've managed multilingual staff/ have experience translation services etc.

@NW2SW they actually do mention managing multicultural staff (which I have! I was managing one centre in Manila and one in Bucharest from the comfort of my own home).

A friend told me that as much and certification and having some experience in conservation is great, being fluent in so many languages takes a lot longer than either of them and can hardly be learned on the job (she thinks I have an edge).

The charity doesn't have any real recruiter contact but the other one does (which is vaguer one so I think I could definitely benefit from having a better idea of the job spec).

What's your niche?

The alternative is to find the hiring manager on LinkedIn to "ask questions" or simply call the office and the chances are you'll end up being put through to them.

I'm in a specific type of marketing, have reached a ceiling also hate it, but am loathe to become a generalist again.

I snooped around in LinkedIn and found that the charity has only employed people with a conservation/social development background. I'm considerably more corporate but what I have that they don't is more than a few years' experience in managing international teams in different locations.
I'll still apply but dont feel super confident

I'm guessing adding your NT membership to your cv won't cut the mustard for conservation experience?

I'm coming up against this a lot too. Narrow minded employers are a nightmare. I'd like to find a good CV writer so if I find a dream job outside my wheelhouse I can pay for my cv to be tailored to the job spec.

Exactly! I'm glad I can have this conversation with somebody else other than my head ha!

IME most recruiters (at least where I live) are extremely narrow minded. I'm sure I can do 99% I apply for and would probably ace the interview I'd they'd let me attend.

I'd also pay for a CV writer, if you find one could you pass on their details?

I've found a few generalist CV writers they're just the top search results, still not taken the plunge and committed as it's around £200-£300 to get anything decent. You could search for specialist writers like these, obviously no personal recommendation from me as I've never used them.

Looks like they have a free ebook for career switchers, so maybe start there.

I'm a career coach (regular Mumsnetter) and would be happy to do mates rates for you.

I personally think the fees for CV reviews are crazy TBH.

For mates rates I wouldn't re-write your whole CV but I'd give you super detailed feedback on how to change it and rewrite some key bits.

Let me know if you're interested (no worries if not!)

PS...

I'm an ex-management consultant and have been a hiring manager up to six figure roles so very much know what I'm doing (many CV writers haven't actually been hiring managers)