Please, please, if you're applying for a job.....

[seeker]

...make sure your CV is neat, tidy and well set out. Check the spelling and the grammar. Either write it or print it on the best paper you can manage, and make sure that all the pages are in order and the same size. If you make a mistake, start again, don't just cross out a paragraph and add another on at the end with an arrow to show where it should have been. Don't make jokes in your covering letter. Get the name of the place you're applying to and the person you're addressing right. Oh, and don't leave huge gaps in your employment history with no explanation.

Can you tell I've been short listing this morning? For a teaching post!

I feel your pain seeker. I've just appointed someone, having had seventy applications to shortlist from. "And genuinely, some of the others may have been OK too - they just didn't tell us" - when there is that much competition for a post, you can't afford to scrutinise every detail, you need it laid out in front of you.

Even more irritating was that only four of the six shortlist bothered to turn up for interview

I have found that it is quicker to cut out the middle man when applying for jobs and place my CV directly into the square file.

Starlight it's not the gaps so much as the unexplained nature of the gaps iyswim?

If no explanation is given for gaps, wildly suspicious HR types like me immediately wonder whether the person was actually working for those two years but was sacked for gross misconduct so doesn't want to put said job on cv.

Gaps for decent reasons are fine as long as the rest fits the job.

or in jail
(do I have a wild imagination? )

Yes that too, or any other less-than-desirable activities.

Glad it is not just me that is suspicious

I once gave feedback to a rejected candidate that included the suggestion that he put in the 4 years spent playing gigs with his band in pubs (as that was his explanation at interview for the huge gap). He called me a few weeks later to say thanks - he had got a job for a Company run by a music nut! He had gotten an interview just because the boss had liked the thought of gigging for 4 years

On a slight tangent, one of my friends directs a small theatre company and when he advertises for actors he always puts in big letters 'NO PHOTOS PLEASE' in the advert.

Amazing how many actors just can't put their CV in the post without adding a 10 x 8 glossy B&W pic of themselves. It's like a compulsion

He always asks them to bring a banana to the audition as well - again, amazing how many don't do it.

i think i would actually get depressed reading those OP!

i think i spent three weeks writing the supporting information part of my application!

i am from the time when you wrote documents by hand in rough...there is no excuse really with 'word' at ones disposal.unbelievable.

can i add please do your research to all jobseekers? I went for an interview today and got it. But during the interview I found out that the pay is one third less than I'm on now. Now I have an embarrassing phone call to make to the CEO rejecting the job. Plus in my present job I have to work with her

jajas, I wouldn't be put off by your CV, because I think us returnees have a lot to offer an employer. I was off for seven years too. I would however, expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have made the effort to keep your skills up to date and used them, perhaps in a voluntary capacity.

I have a question for my BIL - if thats ok?

He left his job last year at a well know computer company as was being bullied by his boss and had a horrible time. As far as I am aware he was really good at his job.

He and my sis want to move up north and he has been waiting for her to get a new job where they want to go (she was the primary earner). She has now got a new job and so he's going to start looking. Unfortunately he now has an 8 month CV gap! (being the big sis I did suggest he get something in the meantime but to no avail).

How can he justify the gap on his CV without looking rubbish?

Jajas I actually think any length of time off to take care of children is a perfectly acceptable gap, it's more demonstrating that you have kept skills up to date in the meantime. The length of gap is perfectly reasonable when it's for family reasons imo. In fact most reasons for gaps are fine, it's just where there is no explanation it raises an eyebrow until the discussion is had.

Halfmum what was your BIL actually doing during those 8 months? Are there children, was he SAHD? The reason for waiting to look for a job is ok, but I'd be looking for a decent reason why he left before he needed to, and would be wanting to know what he was doing constructively during that time.

He was probably doing DIY. No kids. It looks bad doesn't it. I think he was looking for work during this time too.

Halfmum - he could say he took some time off to renovate the house - it might be a bit of an exaggeration but is a perfectly reasonable gap in employment.

I have been shortlisting today too - my top tip is to make sure your name is on the application form!!! I have had 2 today with the section for their name blank!!!!

One person got to the section asking her what she had done in her previous posts that demonstrated she was a good candidate and she had literally copied word for word, the person spec she was sent!!!!

whatfreshhell - can I ask what the thinking is behind a) no photos and b) the banana? I'm intrigued!

The banana must be a test in 'can this person follow instructions', right?

If they forget they are unreliable, if they think it's stupid and don't do it then you don't want to direct them in a play.

no photos because actors photos are always these posed hideous things, and he wants to see them as real people, i think. also doesn't want to judge them on appearances before he meets them.

the banana is because they do theatre for schools, and if they feel self conscious or silly about bringing a banana, then they're not going to be any good at the job.