Is this snarky?

[Realtealseal]

I own a small business in an industry that a lot of people would see as unskilled, but actually I do need a certain set of skills when I'm hiring staff. Quite often I get applicants who say "sorry I don't have a CV" (for context these are all sorts of people, all ages, people who should definitely know what a cv is). Would it be snarky to say something like this?

"I understand you don't have a CV, please send me an outline and details of your previous work history, skills and any qualifications or additional training". Obviously that's me asking them to make and send me a CV., but I don't want it to come across as passive aggressive. More like "I need this from you so I can see how you compare to other applicants".

As a side note, isn't it bloody weird to apply for a job without a CV? Like, just make one?!

I agree, I think creating a CV is the first step. This gives employers some idea of where an individual's skill sets are.
I learned how to do this in my last year of secondary school but I don't think schools do that now, more emphasis is put on personal statements for going to university.

I think you should communicate that a non-traditional work history or CV is ok and that you are open to applications from people that haven't chosen a traditional career path. But a CV is required and expected for consideration for the role.

If you do go this route do think though who you are and are not willing to employ. Prisoners and people on probation, the homeless etc have such a hard time getting work, there are so many barriers for them. Are you truly willing to employ anyone that can prove they are the right person? Make sure you do the right thing in terms of being transparent and fair about who you will or wont employ.

Quite often I'll put a little 'test' in there to see if they can follow basic written instructions ("email to apply with such and such as the subject" for example). And it's crazy how many I can weed out with just this!

I totally agree with that. You need someone that can follow basic instructions and it's a good test!

Thank you, that's a good idea to emphasise it doesn't have to be a traditional CV.

I think I'm quite clear about who I would employ, listing skills and attributes that I look for. And for your example with ex prisoners etc, I do need them to have a "clean" background which is also stated in my hiring ads so no issues there I don't think (we run background checks of course)

It is a bit clueless of them and its one of the first things the jobcentre would try to get in place if they claimed benefits as a job seeker. I think for the sort of jobs you seem to be offering, you could ask them to complete an application form or apply by cv with a cover letter.

If you are going to do a form, please make it one that can be easily accessed if you don't have Word, and doesn't need printing out. Bear in mind that people might be using their phone or tablet to fill it in.

There are people out there with literacy issues and no digital skills that would work their arse off given half a chance.

Totally agree that what you have written is perfect. Too often, applicants who haven't had any guidance about anything will just get a flat rejection and they'll be no further forward in knowing what they need to do and they'll continue to repeat the same mistakes. Any field is hard to get into if you don't know the rules.

Great point, thank you

They are being given a chance though. Using their initiative to seek help with CV writing is a small step.
Not having a CV is one thing, making no effort to remedy that is another.

Oh absolutely! Unfortunately this job does require literary skills though (reading client specific instructions and providing the client with a very short, couple of sentences 'report') and digital skills (all the above is done via a basic app).

.... oh, and seeing your sidenote about how weird to just not make a CV, some people just need explicit instructions. My son is autistic and would be completely flummoxed by certain 'common sense' things that other people take in their stride. Yet if you need someone who's amazing at maths, route planning , computer skills, he's the family expert!

I would just reply and say “providing a CV is part of the application process, if you are still interested in the role, please write a CV and submit it by xyz”

So try asking for work history, skills ect? some people don't know what a CV should include. Giving them that idea, tell me your work history and what skills you have, might get you what you want.

Having said that adult child finds that most people find it hard to distinguish between "skills they've acquired" and "tasks they've successfully completed". Which, by and lstge, are the same things.

Fair enough, I absolutely hadn't considered that, thank you for pointing it out! If I sent him a template/form and asked him to fill it out, would that be OK? I had absolutely no experience with autism but I definitely want to be as inclusive as possible

Again, that's exactly what my OP asked 😂

To quote myself in my first post:

Would it be snarky to say something like this?
"I understand you don't have a CV, please send me an outline and details of your previous work history, skills and any qualifications or additional training".

I don't think it's snarky, but it seems a bit redundant.

What you are asking them for surely is a cv?

Which I do agree, you do need.

I do tend to agree with previous posters though, do you really want to hire someone who just says "don't have one", rather than knocking together a brief outline of their job history / skills?

Why don’t you ask them to fill in an application form? The form will just be a blank CV with headings.

Love this idea