To create a fake CV in order to get a job?

[BillHadersNewWife]

ANY job? I know I am BU and would not actually do it but I'm reaching the end of my tether!

I'm 45. I've worked as a freelance copy and content writer for 10 years now and my portfolio is very good. I've worked with some very well known brands and organisations.

I want a job now though...I'm tired of working alone. Also sick of hustling. I get regular work but there's always the fear..."will I still have this client in a month?" you just never know as a freelancer.

I started freelancing when I had DC 15 years ago...it was a way to earn money without having to commute and all that. It's worked well but I feel I'm missing out on the social aspects of work...I have friends but feel the need to get out and about again.

I've been applying for copywriting roles in my city (Australia) and only had a few interviews...2 to be exact. But I've applied for around 20 roles. The last position I applied for was great for me I thought. But I didn't get it. During the interview, the business owner told me I was the most experienced candidate.

Did he mean I'm too old?

I just sent my details to a business owner in my city who had posted a part time role on social media and she got back to me saying she thought the tasks would be "too basic" for someone of my experience. "She also mentioned that the job was more of a V.A. type role"

BUT she HAD posted that she wanted a copywriter...not a V.A....so the only thing I can think stopping her, was that she thought I'd cost too much.

What can I do to improve my chances? I'm THIS close to creating a fake C.V.listing some shitty jobs so I could at least get a job in a shop or something! The jobs themselves would not be fake...I could list the job I had before I had children...which was a semi unskilled job. And a couple of bar jobs I had when I was setting myself up freelance.

I just want a bloody job!

Why not look to punch up rather than down? It sounds like the jobs have been too low skilled for your experience, what's the next career step you'd be taking if you were, say, working as a copywriter in a company? Maybe aim for that instead.

Gwenneh probably senior copywriter or editor. I have gone for one such position but didn't get it. I'm starting to think the real issue is that this city is quit small and there aren't that many opportunities.

What's unreasonable OP?

If you need a job to pay the bills to support your family then is it worth risking a criminal record to get one? Possibly. But once you have the criminal record you really will be scraping around for jobs.

Lots of people do this so is being honest putting you at a disadvantage? Possibly. But once you start lying on your CV you have to stick with those lies come what may.

My best advice would be to completely re-work your CV, even to get a professional to look at it. You will have far more skills than you think and you don't need to put dates on all of your jobs if you don't want, some might not interview you for that but they likely wouldn't have it they knew all your experience was from years ago either. I'd also advise creating a separate cover sheet for every job that you apply for, specific to the role requirements and stating how you fit them.

There is hope, even when it feels hopeless. It's usually just about making small changes and doing things better that you didn't know needed to be done any differently.

Good luck with the search, you'll get something soon :)

Sell did you not read my post in full? Just the title? Not even the first few lines?

Look at doing a skills based cv and leave out some of the meatier work.
Keep it simple.

Sandwich thank you...I think that's why I'm feeling a bit defeated because I did just that last month. Revamped the whole thing, shortened it, only included real achievements which are measurable...you know, things like where I've boosted a company's position on Google or helped a business win an award....and listed skills clearly. It's much shorted now...just one page.

As someone who has to wade through cvs I can tell you that your cv probably needs a lot of work. I get so, so many cvs from people who don’t put any effort in and then wonder why they don’t get interviews. I got a cv from someone who sent us a cv showing that he was a great waiter, when we’d advertised for a pastry chef (not really but similar difference in roles). We get cvs that are great, but are 10 pages long and tbh - these get ‘filed’. I have no interest in knowing your life history, I have better things to do than read 10 pages when you can’t be bothered to refine your cv to 2 pages of relevant info. Not saying op has done any of these things but you’re either not applying to right job, or you’re not selling yourself in your cv. Highlight your achievements.

Tips:

1. Make sure you have key words in your cv and cover letter from the advert. Even companies that don’t have software to weed out the rejects, look for their key words.
2. Be succinct and think whether a potential employer needs to know that you worked in a team cleaning pots 10 yrs ago. Get rid if not relevant.
3. Summarise your skills in the first page including those key words.
4. 10 GCSEs, grade A to C is fine - don’t waste space if you’ve got work experience.
5. Modify your cv for each job. I can tell if it’s a general cv you and to everyone and if you’ve not bothered with a cover letter either then I’m not bothered with reading your cv.
6. Make sure there are no stupid errors - this could make the difference.

Have a look at ‘good’ cvs on the web. There is no excuse for poor cvs nowadays if you put some effort in. You need to stand out in a good way, not disappear in the system because your cv is long, waffley, and dull.

This has ended up being a general rant as a result of doing a few rounds of recruiting recently! I’m sure most of it doesn’t apply to you op, but if you get a chance, give your cv to someone who does recruit and get feedback. Also ask for some constructive feedback from recent companies you’ve applied for. You may not get an answer, but I make sure I reply to everyone who asks me for feedback and I try to be as constructive as possible. I’d hate to be in a position where I just need to change a few things, but they are stopping me from getting interviews.

Banana I think I've done everything you said....maybe I could work on the keywords more. But I've certainly reduced it to key facts...it's only a page long. I've got TONNES of experience but I've ensured that it's tight.

Can i also suggest alternative ways of job hunting. Get a copy of what color is your parachute. Network. So many jobs come via contacts, not ads.

As someone who has to wade through cvs I can tell you that your cv probably needs a lot of work.

That’s really quite rude, you know. Job hunting is shitty enough without someone telling - without even seeing your CV - that it’s probably your fault for “not putting enough effort in”.

OP, I had someone do this to me - she even offered to ‘look over’ my CV then completely rewrote it off her own bat. I didn’t like it but it had some useful features so I created a hybrid (which several recruiters told me was a good CV and I got two job offers from using it so it can’t have been awful). Friend huffed and puffed and told me that anyone who knew what they were talking about would prefer her version!

Anyway, by all means get some feed back on your CV but don’t be done down by people who haven’t even seen it yet feel qualified to judge.

is it worth risking a criminal record to get one? Possibly. But once you have the criminal record you really will be scraping around for jobs.

at criminal record for lying to get shop job.

Bright thank you...Banana was a bit blunt and my CV is very good now. I AM a writer after all. :)

I'm in the same position as you OP. Same age same field same problem!

I do think it's age related. I feel like Im going nuts trying to find a job.

Can you look for agency work to build contacts? I know that doesn’t solve the issue immediately but it would give you experience of team working again.

I actually don't think that two interviews from twenty apps is that bad going - as you say, it's likely that there just aren't that many jobs in your field, in your area. Would you consider relocating for the right job?

Instead of saying freelance copy editor on your cv, I would change your title to Director, New Wife Content and Copyrighting. Clients include X,Y, and Z.

Also, do you have a website to highlight your portfolio? Look at SquareSpace, they have easy drag and drop templates that are really easy for beginners to use.

Also, in your summary section at the top of your CV, I would say "After 15 years of running an independent content and copyright creation business, I am looking forward to the opportunity to join a team to focus more on my passion of writing for copyrighting and content creation. " So it is more clear why you are leaving the freelance business. People understand that running your own business includes a lot of admin, and if you focus it more that you want to work for a company so you can focus more on your writing passion, it could be a good pitch. Otherwise people are going to wonder why you are folding your business.

Also, remember that a CV isn't a comprehensive list of what you have done, it is a marketing document. So maybe you need to trim down what you are listing so it isn't overwhelming.

Also, what is your cover letter/ personal statement like? These shouldn't rehash your CV, but rather explain why THIS particular job is a good fit. Look at AskaManager.com as they are really good tips at creating clear and concise covering letters. Remember that CV/cover letters for writing jobs are just as much as an exercise in demonstrating your skill as highlighting your experience.

Absolutely do not make up jobs. Also, remember that the more senior you get, the less jobs there are. So a 10% return (2 jobs out of 20 applied for) is a really good return.

Aposter the thing is, that person didn't even read my full post! I wouldn't really be lying if I made a CV with my old retail and other work on it...I'd be lying by omission.

I've tried for retail jobs and never get an interview. People don't know why a copywriter would want a job in a shop I suppose.

Zoe it doesn't say "Freelance Copywriter" it lists me as director of "My Business Name"

And yes, I have a website. :)

I wonder if you actually read my post either Zoe? I have a one page CV. I don't plan on lying about my professional work. Just thinking of ditching it all and trying for work in a shop or something.

I can't be doing with it anymore! I don't mind the drop in pay either.

If you are coming across this hostile, short and frustrated in your written applications/ interviews as you are on this board with people trying to help you, I can see why you aren't being successful.

Have you tried an employment agency? Most jobs in my sector over here in the UK seem to go through agencies, agencies are good for knowing how much competition you have for any particular job and they will put you forward for jobs based on having met you rather than just you cv

I used to hate agencies and think I can get a job myself thanks, but I changed my mind after meeting 2 recruiters and got my last 2 job through agencies.

She isn’t, zoe

I did this in a way, OP. My professional job didn’t pay enough at that time so I needed a second one. I had two CVs, one didn’t mention my professional job, one didn’t mention the other.

Zoe don't be so rude. You don't read a post and then you make all sorts of assumptions...then call me hostile...I think you're the one with the problem.

Chocolate I thought of that last week and then promptly forgot! I'll definitely look into it this week thanks!

Lila thank you.

OP, ignore the clueless well meaning people on here. No point letting them annoy you.

I had a similar problem when I wanted to do basic retail for a bit after having children. I just wanted a few hours graft with some adult company and had worked in retail before qualifying. I discovered very quickly it was better to skirt over my two degrees and extensive management experience and draft a very minimal CV. which got me a job pretty quickly.

As you allude to, ageism against mature women is rife and you have to find creative ways to combat it.