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!

I don’t see the problem.
I wrote a cv that was WAAAAYYY more exaggerated than my original CV abut you know what, it got me my dream job, I smashed it and I learnt enough to start my own business years down the line

Sometimes you have to take chances. I know for me as a single mum with limited options; I had to find a way out and make a better life for myself and my son. That job got us that and I would never have got it if I had sent in my original CV.

Good luck OP

You're not listening to lots of advice on this thread. If you present yourself as more experienced or qualified than the role requires you are making yourself less attractive to the employer as they don't believe you'll stay.

The restaurant manager doesn't employ a Michelin starred chef if she needs a pot washer.

Never fake a CV, it'll come back to bite you.

I've just had an employee who I discovered had done this. It was horrible for everyone involved, mainly her, when I had to bring it up etc... and put her under disciplinary procedures, report her etc...

Don't do it.

Haff I don't know what else to do when it comes to copywriting jobs. I can't omit what I do! My portfolio shows examples..that's the norm for writers.

And I believe I have acknowledged and taken lots of advice thank you.

@LittleGreenRobot I'm curious what type of job she had?

Can I reiterate my suggestion upthread about trying a different approach- look at dick Bolles website, read his book what colour is your parachute.
THE most successful way to job hunt is not replying to ads.....

Sandwich Thanks...I've just looked at the website and to be honest, I was put off immediately by the idea of a "bridge person"

The idea being that I approach companies who I think I'd like to work for via someone who already knows me and is linked to that organisation.

But I know few people thanks to being a freelancer for so long.

I have tried and am still trying to network. I've been to open days and coffee mornings designed for freelancers in my city...but they're all in my boat or old mates who've known one another for years.

I do feel negative and I know it's coming over here. But I literally know no "bridge people".

I have one friend in particular who is very nice and who knows a lot of people. I'll have a talk to her.

Networking isn’t easy but it works...and look beyond freelancers. Do some voluntary stuff.

I can't omit what I do! My portfolio shows examples..that's the norm for writers.

But you can select the most appropriate examples of your work for the job you're applying for. If you're applying for a job writing web content for a widget company you show them content you wrote at the beginning of your career about cogs and include on your cv your time working in cog marketing. You don't have to include all the glossy magazine content or TV ads you wrote later. There's no rule that says you have to include everything. Leave out anything that gives the impression that you are too grand or want too much money to write about widgets.

Haf Yes, I do that. Usually via links because the work is online. I'm not sending software companies articles I've written about babies!