to think that I have been written off? (job related)

[sunnytimes83]

Short version
Looking for a job after a 18 month maternity (thanks covid, it looks great on my CV) and can’t get any interviews for ‘exciting admin roles’ (above £30k, Northern Powerhouse area). So my CV is missing the mark and I don’t get why.

Long version
I am applying for anything remotely interesting at the moment but can’t get any interviews. If all else fails I will apply for a simple £18k admin job, hopefully get it and then hate every minute of it. I don’t have a posh accounting or law or business qualification, but I have previously worked in solid roles and my previous managers were pretty happy with what I did. I don’t have any social contacts, exciting hobby, special skills etc etc. I just want a job that’s not going to crush my soul.

CV shows:
my name that looks like I probably wasn’t born in England
first class degree
a handful of diplomas and certificates
Job 1 - 2 years (as the company moved headquarters and everyone were made redundant)
Job 2 - 3.5 years (as the company closed down due to owners person problems)
Job 3 - 1.2 years (as this was my stop gap while waiting for next big thing)
Job 4 - 3.5 years (as the company moved department offshore and most people were made redundant)
‘All other jobs summary available upon request’ (junior admin and customer service roles)

AIBU to think that I have been written off as a credible / long term employee? Because my name is wrong, got the wrong degree, happened to pick employers who would make my role redundant a few years later or for other reasons that the recruiters are seeing in my CV?

Btw it’s a pretty good CV, not sure re formatting would improve it.

While your skills and experience may be excellent, it doesn't sound as if you are showcasing them to the best effect on your CV.

If you are otherwise skilled and knowledgeable in your within your chosen career path and you are not getting the interest you want then the logical answer is that your CV isn't selling you well enough.

It sounds as if you would benefit from some career mentoring to support your job search, can you afford to seek advice in this way?

I don't know much about the job market where you are, but here in the NE (not city) admin roles pull in a max of £20-22k. (and those are rare)

the £18-20k mark is much more of a realistic view here, even in autonomous, supervisory roles.

Have you contacted any temp agencies to get you back into things so you're getting your name out there with places who are looking?
Are you on Linked in?

Well, does your previous experience match the job requirements? That's the most important thing.

Try putting your cv on cv library. I think if you make a new account on there, you get a free cv review, that won't rewrite it, but they will give you tips on what they think is wrong with it. You can pay to get them to fix it, but free to just do it yourself obviously. That might help with any issues with your cv.

I have considered a career mentor but I would need to rely on the search engines to find one so sounds like an easy way to lose money!? I have asked friends to proofread my CV and obviously they were happy with it..

No my previous roles don’t match anything I apply for (apart from all being in the ‘admin’ sector). I happen to have been working in niche jobs previously…

The off putting part of what you have written could be the “all other jobs summary..”. Do you really need that? It sounds like you have had dozens of other jobs that you have not managed to stick to. You have a ten year work history without it which seems fine to me.

Have you considered the public sector? You will probably have to complete an application form rather than send in your CV but if you make sure you can show evidence of all the criteria in the person specification then you should get an interview.

Youve never really stuck to a job for very long. I dont think 30K is usually paid for a general junior admin role.

Deleted myself off LinkedIn because on it my job history looked abysmal…as they display years and months in the role, and my roles never matched their drop down categories

Did you customise your CV to match the job role specs, with the most relevant key attributes up top, or are you going through a recruiter (which may remove the need to do that)?

From what you've put above, it sounds like a pretty generic CV and maybe that's turning people off.

Is your degree the first thing listed, or is it relevant experience and skills for the role you're applying for, for example? Unless a first class degree was specified in the job listing or it's definitely very relevant, it goes at the end. Likewise, for every job you list, you need to highlight as the first things listed under your key responsibilities or achievements whatever best matches the role you are applying for. HR people can immediately spot a generic application or a CV that's been thrown out to them with no care or thought, so make sure that's not you.

@Aprilx

The off putting part of what you have written could be the “all other jobs summary..”. Do you really need that? It sounds like you have had dozens of other jobs that you have not managed to stick to. You have a ten year work history without it which seems fine to me.

Won’t they think I am 28 if I only list 10 year history?!

Admin roles paying 30k don't exist?

You might be applying to jobs that are too specialized/require previous experience within the particular industry you're applying in.

A proof read CV and a well put together CV which is appropriately targeted at the role you want can be very different things.

I'm interested that you're saying your previous roles don't match what you're applying for. As someone with a niche career background, how you demonstrate that your skills and experience can transfer to a new organisation (using role appropriate language and keywords) will determine whether you'll be shortlisted.

You need to contextualise your knowledge and experience into a package that potential employer might be interested in, and this may be different for each role you apply for.

The job market seems to be quite bustling at the moment however you need to present your CV in a way that reflects what is needed.

Might not be a bad thing. Get you in the door at least

@Viviennemary

Youve never really stuck to a job for very long. I dont think 30K is usually paid for a general junior admin role.

Exactly what recruiters must think! But as I said I have been made redundant 4 times…nothing I could have done about it. So how to show it without looking doomed or desperate

You may be doing this already, but:

You need to tailor your CV so it matches the job description you’re applying for. So bring out the most relevant achievements from each previous role. Different sector, but my “full” CV is 9 pages long. I pick and choose from it for each job to submit a 2 page version.

Also, if you’re doing a cover letter make sure you’re linking your previous skills and experience to the advert or job description. You will have transferable skills from a niche job, but it’s getting the people making the decisions to see that - so you need to make it as easy for them as possible.

@StopRightThereDavidCopperfield

A proof read CV and a well put together CV which is appropriately targeted at the role you want can be very different things.

I'm interested that you're saying your previous roles don't match what you're applying for. As someone with a niche career background, how you demonstrate that your skills and experience can transfer to a new organisation (using role appropriate language and keywords) will determine whether you'll be shortlisted.

You need to contextualise your knowledge and experience into a package that potential employer might be interested in, and this may be different for each role you apply for.

The job market seems to be quite bustling at the moment however you need to present your CV in a way that reflects what is needed.

You are probably spot on, I cannot for the life of me re configure my CV for each different role…plus I am unable to use adjectives to describe my achievements 😂

Consider doing a functional cv per role.employers will be interested in your skills and experience. 1st class degree not visibly relevant.
What can you do?it skills/ admin skills/ projects Have a look at what color is your parachute book and website. Great advice. Or national careers service. Sounds to me that your cv needs more than proof reading.

What was your degree in just being nosy?

A family member is looking for work in South Yorkshire in account admin roles - all around 22-3k and getting interviews easily without massive experience or quals, much more so than a couple of years ago. So I am wondering if it’s the CV? Although whilst there seems to be a lot of work around I do think 30k is unusual for admin based work up here.
The better wages for the roles will be civil service, universities and some LA positions, though these will require applications rather than CVs.
You’re definitely not written off - don’t give up!

btw, I don't think you should be at all concerned about not staying in a role for a long time. about 2 years is just fine, and predominantly you've been in your roles longer than that.

as a recruiter, if someone has been in a non-specialist role for eons without change or development, I'd have many more concerns.

Led
Organised
Arranged
Implemented
Managed
Coordinated…….

What were your roles and salaries in the past jobs?

@glasshalfsomething

Might not be a bad thing. Get you in the door at least

Why should I need to? I have nothing to prove.