If you work in IT recruitment

[VerbenaVerbena]

Do you have any tips on re-entering after a career break?
Things like which skills are most sought-after, how to get the best out of ATS, what style of CV, does CV length matter now that ATS are king, etc?
Thanks in advance.
(ex software engineer with exp of running support and test teams, service delivery management and latterly BA/change consultant reporting directly to the x-suite, tasked with proposing projects and making them happen.)

Of course that should say c-suite

I work in IT recruitment for a Russell Group University and would 100% suggest you target Universities. We have lost about 25% of our IT team to the private sector and have now started to offer big 'market supplement' payments to attract new candidates. Some vacancies we get no applications for and are now having to pay agencies to get candidates.

Not IT recruitment, but re CVS length matters and so do keywords. A lot of recruiters use sifting software to pick out keywords and even if you have an amazing cv it can be sifted out because it doesn't have the right ones.

There are some great and free websites where you upload your cv and get feedback on it. IIRC on some you can add your sector/profession so it's specific. Some recruiters will do the same thing for you too, a really good recruiter can be a great asset for finding the right job for you.
Do you use LinkedIn?

Iso27001 have released new standards this year which any certified company will need to move to over the next 2 years so being able to demonstrate an understanding of info security standards will read strong in a CV.

Make sure you highlight how you keep your knowledge current, any memberships or quals you have and blogs or professional websites you are signed up to for updates.

Cloud architecture, BCDR and data privacy are hot topics too so when choosing your bullet points against past roles to highlight what you have done try to hit on those.

Not in IT recruitment but have been in the IT job market lately. I strongly recommend taking out a 1 month Linked In premium subscription - it gives access to great info about how to tailor your CV to both ATS & the human/s who read it next. Found it invaluable and yes, reader, I got the job 😀

Best of luck.

*LinkedIn 😳

Not in recruitment but are you itil certified, v4 is out now so might be worth looking at that for your cv.

I work in a managed service environment and all our engineers, SDM's etc have to have itil. Seems like it's making a Resurgence again

Thanks, I live near two RG Universities and will look into this.

I am back on LinkedIn, thanks. I've been contacted by a few recruiters but I'm not getting anywhere, and I definitely need to rethink my CV in terms of keywords.

Thanks, I'll look into the ISO standard.
I've done a few microcredentials recently and definitely need to upskill a bit more.

Well done on getting the job! LinkedIn keeps asking me to go premium, it sounds like I should!

Thanks, this is the kind of information I am looking for, I appreciate it.

Thanks everyone for responding.
I'm ideally looking for something with a bit of flexibility and remote working, so that does impact which roles will be possible.

It looks like data analysis and visualisation, machine learning, cloud services, UX and cyber security are all popular just now. ITIL, six sigma etc too.

At the moment it feels like my CV is just being fired into a black hole and I'm getting nowhere with Jobserve and LinkedIn applications. I definitely need to review my CV with regards to the tracking systems and keywords, as well as getting some new skills.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

Just incase this is any use to you (or anyone else reading the thread)

https://womenreturners.com

My University (York) is 100% remote working for most IT roles, I would imagine most are.

Thanks for the link @FinallyHere
And @FitAt50 thanks for suggesting your uni for remote working