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Original poster

To think it's astounding that not so long ago it was the convention to include your marital status, nationality and state of health on your CV?

29 replies

TossedSaladsAndScrambledEggs · 12/04/2014 16:58

Just that really. I am currently updating my CV. It has been a while, but not that long really, and the one I have saved on my PC has all that personal info on it. Guidance that is specific to my profession now states that it is not even necessary to state your gender as it is irrelevant. Glad things have moved on, but surprused that it was not that long ago that even I thought it was ok to include all that personal info!

OP posts:
MagnaCharge · 12/04/2014 17:00

None of that is on mine it never has been, however I have been asked for all of that information on a 'new starter' form on being offered employment just this week.

BrianTheMole · 12/04/2014 17:03

Crikey, i have never thought to include that information, including gender, and I am old.

HolidayCriminal · 12/04/2014 17:06

When I came to live in UK in '91 I was astounded to discover most people had those things on their CVs, yes. But times move on, I wonder what things we do now that future ppl will find ridiculous.

Original poster
TossedSaladsAndScrambledEggs · 12/04/2014 17:23

I think I wrote my previous cv either based on some kind of template I found somewhere, or from advice online on how to write a CV. But it is weird that not that long ago I thought it was ok for employers to want/expect that kind of info.

Mind you back in an interview for university in 2008 I got asked when I planned to start a family! It was only when I spoke to people afterwards that I realised how bad it was, and I would be horrified now! I guess because now I am a mother I realise how bad sexual discrimination is from bitter experience.

OP posts:
StarGazeyPond · 12/04/2014 17:24

Well I started work in the 60s and have never put any of that on a CV.

ImAThrillseekerHoney · 12/04/2014 17:26

I'm recruiting ATM and finding it a bit tricky to get my head around cvs without DOB on them - it was the norm the last time I was sieving cvs. It's not a problem, just not what I'm used to. I would expect to see work/visa status on a cv but I don't give a monkeys about nationality.

LaurieFairyCake · 12/04/2014 17:28

All the cv 's I've seen recently have that information on Confused

Original poster
TossedSaladsAndScrambledEggs · 12/04/2014 17:29

Yes honey guidance from my prof body says not to include dob either. Which is good IMO, because you are judged on merit rather than typecast as immature and inexperienced if you are younger, or about to retire if you are older!

I was 26 when I was interviewed for Uni, though probably looked younger tbh, so I probably wouldn't have been quizzed on my plans to start a family if they didn't have my dob in front of them.

OP posts:
Original poster
TossedSaladsAndScrambledEggs · 12/04/2014 17:31

Is it even relevant to put work/visa status on? Isn't it the employers responsibility to check? Surely people would just lie on their CV if that is all you would have to do to convince an employer you had permission to work here!

OP posts:
ImAThrillseekerHoney · 12/04/2014 17:49

Yes I assume HR would check just in case they're lying, but we'd obviously rather employ someone who doesn't have any visa complications rather than someone who does - I assume that's a legitimate preference otherwise the agencies wouldn't put it on the cvs, but actually it's never come up.

PortofinoRevisited · 12/04/2014 17:52

I have never put such stuff on mine. Nor my date of birth.

PortofinoRevisited · 12/04/2014 17:54

My employer has that info obviously. Your marital status and whether or not you have dependants has tax and other implications in Belgium.

80sMum · 12/04/2014 17:57

Lots of people include a photo on their CV, which would give away their gender and approximate age.

purpleroses · 12/04/2014 18:03

It's a bit useless missing off DOB tbh - as the first thing anyone does when selecting candidates is to look at what years they did their exams in and work out roughly how old they are. Nationality can usually be guessed from what country they did their school exams in too.

Photos are asked for usually with big employers when interviewers are looking at lots of applicants and need to be reminded who was who.

I'd put my health if it was relevant to the job (eg if the job was physical). Marital status yes is definitely irrelevant. Hobbies and interests are the other thing that's gone out of fashion - I'd never put them unless they were demonstrating some skill or expertise relevant to the job.

uselessidiot · 12/04/2014 18:04

Most applications I've filled in actually asked these questions. It's depressing what can get you automatically rejected. In interview situations I've been asked about my marital status, family plans and even on one occasion about contraception and what I would do if I had an 'accident'. Pissed me off big time but I can't afford to object and get a bad reputation amongst employers.

Original poster
TossedSaladsAndScrambledEggs · 12/04/2014 18:05

Years of doing exams wouldn't necessarily give age away, I started my degree at 26 and started a level 3 qualification at 25.

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PortofinoRevisited · 12/04/2014 18:06

Uselessidiot - sorry I do not believe that for one minute. Apart from it actually being illegal....

lessonsintightropes · 12/04/2014 18:10

Uselessidiot where do you live?

Original poster
TossedSaladsAndScrambledEggs · 12/04/2014 18:10

Portofino - unfortunately I believe it. Employment law is there but not always adhered to. I have been asked these questions before at interview. In competitive fields people sometimes put up with stuff like this as they are eager to impress and tow the line.

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Oldraver · 12/04/2014 18:13

useless I thought the telephone interview had recently which asked do I have any dependants what am I doing for childcare and what will I do for childcare during the holidays were bad enough...Contraception Shock

Original poster
TossedSaladsAndScrambledEggs · 12/04/2014 18:14

Toe not tow, sorry

OP posts:
flowery · 12/04/2014 18:18

"Is it even relevant to put work/visa status on? Isn't it the employers responsibility to check? Surely people would just lie on their CV if that is all you would have to do to convince an employer you had permission to work here!"

Well yes, of course the employer has to check before the person starts work, and would do so, but they don't want to perform background checks on everyone who sends a CV in, or interview tons of people then discover they have no right to work here.

Of course, if someone's name is Jane Smith and she went to school in Croydon, it's a reasonable bet that there won't be visa problems. But anyone with anything on their CV that might possibly give the impression they might not have the right to work in the UK would be well-advised to indicate their visa status on their CV.

And if anyone thinks people without the right to work here wouldn't apply for a job here in the first place would be very much mistaken.

Original poster
TossedSaladsAndScrambledEggs · 12/04/2014 18:19

Although actually I have never been asked about contraception. When I fell pregnant with dd I was asked by a "senior" if I knew what contraception was though, in a rather patronising tone as I work in the medical field. I should have told him to fuck off, but like useless I was too scared of gaining a negative reputation, and getting myself up the duff was bad enough apparently...

OP posts:
ikeaismylocal · 12/04/2014 18:19

I have my nationality on my CV, I am not the nationality of the country I live in and I think it is relevant.

throckenholt · 12/04/2014 18:26

Don't think I ever included any of those on a cv - mind you I haven't written one since the late 90s :)