Surviving the CV cull…
Discussion
I’ve been looking for a new job for some time now, but frustratingly getting rejected at the first hurdle as I don’t get past submitting my CV.
I did try using TopCV to professionally write my CV but they were terrible, and basically cost £120 for nothing.
Looking for some advice on surviving first contact, whether that be a better CV rewrite or some other method of getting myself into the positive pile of CVs.
I did try using TopCV to professionally write my CV but they were terrible, and basically cost £120 for nothing.
Looking for some advice on surviving first contact, whether that be a better CV rewrite or some other method of getting myself into the positive pile of CVs.
Misanthroper said:
I’ve been looking for a new job for some time now, but frustratingly getting rejected at the first hurdle as I don’t get past submitting my CV.
I did try using TopCV to professionally write my CV but they were terrible, and basically cost £120 for nothing.
Looking for some advice on surviving first contact, whether that be a better CV rewrite or some other method of getting myself into the positive pile of CVs.
I recently did the same, the CV and cover letter just seems to have been put through a chatgpt type of programme and it generated, i wouldnt say nonsense but you could tell it wasnt person written. I did try using TopCV to professionally write my CV but they were terrible, and basically cost £120 for nothing.
Looking for some advice on surviving first contact, whether that be a better CV rewrite or some other method of getting myself into the positive pile of CVs.
But then talking to some companies, they put them through a CV programme and it picks out the buzz word bulls
t, hence the bullet points/ai style lemmingjames said:
Misanthroper said:
I’ve been looking for a new job for some time now, but frustratingly getting rejected at the first hurdle as I don’t get past submitting my CV.
I did try using TopCV to professionally write my CV but they were terrible, and basically cost £120 for nothing.
Looking for some advice on surviving first contact, whether that be a better CV rewrite or some other method of getting myself into the positive pile of CVs.
I recently did the same, the CV and cover letter just seems to have been put through a chatgpt type of programme and it generated, i wouldnt say nonsense but you could tell it wasnt person written. I did try using TopCV to professionally write my CV but they were terrible, and basically cost £120 for nothing.
Looking for some advice on surviving first contact, whether that be a better CV rewrite or some other method of getting myself into the positive pile of CVs.
But then talking to some companies, they put them through a CV programme and it picks out the buzz word bulls
t, hence the bullet points/ai style RedAndy said:
spose it is sector specific, but any CV that comes to me which is just buzzword bingo goes straight into the bin - i want to know something about you so plenty* of prose please that sets out your experience.
Agree on 2 sides of A4 but prose vs buzzwords depends on context.- 2 sides of A4 - I haven't got all day.
If HR are sticking it through a program that is culling based on buzzwords then you need to tailor accordingly. Prose can help you, or kill you.
All depends on context and knowing about the company you are applying to - as ever customisation is key for impact of a CV.
RedAndy said:
spose it is sector specific, but any CV that comes to me which is just buzzword bingo goes straight into the bin - i want to know something about you so plenty* of prose please that sets out your experience.
i agree, tbh my hand written style seemed to get me more attention than the AI one but then i guess, you look at linkedin and you see that theres 180+ applicants for the role i can imagine a company putting it through the buzzword bingo programme- 2 sides of A4 - I haven't got all day.
Hi Tom8, it's the IT sector, roles like Head of IT Operations, Head of IT, Infra manager, IT manager, ops manager etc.
Looking for more leadership/hands-off focussed roles, but where you need a good understanding of the technology as well.
Vaud and Rog, thanks for the offers to help, Ive sent both of you a message and hopefully you can give me some pointers.
Looking for more leadership/hands-off focussed roles, but where you need a good understanding of the technology as well.
Vaud and Rog, thanks for the offers to help, Ive sent both of you a message and hopefully you can give me some pointers.
Edited by Misanthroper on Friday 23 June 09:53
So it is stepping up that you need to justify rather than applying for a new job. It is an important difference in the approach to take. From my experience there are a couple of things to try and achieve.
The CV is effectively the summary of skills, level and calibre. What really counts is the cover letter as that is what will attract the attention. I know some jobs these days are online only, but it is really important you speak to the employer or agency in advance of submission, they then know it is coming and if you sell yourself on the call they will look for your name coming through which is especially important if you are aiming to step up. I've decided to not follow through on a couple of roles after calling and they have called me back to see if I would apply when my application didn't arrive, so it does make an impact.
Think of it like a tender process. If the client you are tendering for won't engage with you before you bid and you don't already know them, don't bid for it as it is very unlikely you will progress. You also need to position yourself as a like for like CV won't hit the right notes to move to a more senior role so you need to bring in strategic thought, oversight and planning as opposed to the doing.
I am not in IT but happy to have a look for you although I see others who may be better placed than me have offered the same.
The CV is effectively the summary of skills, level and calibre. What really counts is the cover letter as that is what will attract the attention. I know some jobs these days are online only, but it is really important you speak to the employer or agency in advance of submission, they then know it is coming and if you sell yourself on the call they will look for your name coming through which is especially important if you are aiming to step up. I've decided to not follow through on a couple of roles after calling and they have called me back to see if I would apply when my application didn't arrive, so it does make an impact.
Think of it like a tender process. If the client you are tendering for won't engage with you before you bid and you don't already know them, don't bid for it as it is very unlikely you will progress. You also need to position yourself as a like for like CV won't hit the right notes to move to a more senior role so you need to bring in strategic thought, oversight and planning as opposed to the doing.
I am not in IT but happy to have a look for you although I see others who may be better placed than me have offered the same.
You’re spot on Tom8.
When coaching, I impress upon candidates that if they are seeking promotion, then they should already be operating/behaving as if they were in that next higher role. If they find that they’re comfortable with that, then they’re probably ready. If not comfortable, then now may not be the right time.
And also as you suggest, turn the selection process on its head; why should any organisation be privileged to have your enquiry and your eventual potential effort in that role. Take control of the process, don’t let it control you and you may find that having that psychological advantage makes it a much more enjoyable and fruitful experience.
When coaching, I impress upon candidates that if they are seeking promotion, then they should already be operating/behaving as if they were in that next higher role. If they find that they’re comfortable with that, then they’re probably ready. If not comfortable, then now may not be the right time.
And also as you suggest, turn the selection process on its head; why should any organisation be privileged to have your enquiry and your eventual potential effort in that role. Take control of the process, don’t let it control you and you may find that having that psychological advantage makes it a much more enjoyable and fruitful experience.
OP also remember that there has been some huge redundancies from several big players in IT and Software. I had a little look at roles on LinkedIn the other day and some had like 250 applicants in 24hrs. Personally if i see a role with a huge number of applicants it puts me off as it would probably mean a long drawn out interview process especially if each suitable candidate sits 2-3 interviews minimum.
I'm having a similar issue. Looking for Head of/ VP Software Engineering roles. Plenty of roles out there but finding it hard to penetrate the first gate.
I think its been made worse in recent times but the bloody applicant tracking systems. You apply, fill in some details, then wait and see. Often the job ad has no salary range, the ATS asks your salary expectations and then 2 days later you get an auto email fking you off. I'm sure in a lot of cases it's because they won't meet the salary so why not say.
I do have a final stage interview coming up bit that's all I have on at the minute so if that doesn't work I shall seel some professional assistance from our resident experts.
I think its been made worse in recent times but the bloody applicant tracking systems. You apply, fill in some details, then wait and see. Often the job ad has no salary range, the ATS asks your salary expectations and then 2 days later you get an auto email f
king you off. I'm sure in a lot of cases it's because they won't meet the salary so why not say.I do have a final stage interview coming up bit that's all I have on at the minute so if that doesn't work I shall seel some professional assistance from our resident experts.
rog007 said:
You’re spot on Tom8.
When coaching, I impress upon candidates that if they are seeking promotion, then they should already be operating/behaving as if they were in that next higher role. If they find that they’re comfortable with that, then they’re probably ready. If not comfortable, then now may not be the right time.
And also as you suggest, turn the selection process on its head; why should any organisation be privileged to have your enquiry and your eventual potential effort in that role. Take control of the process, don’t let it control you and you may find that having that psychological advantage makes it a much more enjoyable and fruitful experience.
I'm intrigued how you'd suggest that in a fairly closed off corporate environment. I've been asking for a year for the opportunity, for some coaching or anything to help me progress. Issue is, my manager doesn't even make my 1-2-1's most of the time. I've escalated that to his manager and nothing has changed. When coaching, I impress upon candidates that if they are seeking promotion, then they should already be operating/behaving as if they were in that next higher role. If they find that they’re comfortable with that, then they’re probably ready. If not comfortable, then now may not be the right time.
And also as you suggest, turn the selection process on its head; why should any organisation be privileged to have your enquiry and your eventual potential effort in that role. Take control of the process, don’t let it control you and you may find that having that psychological advantage makes it a much more enjoyable and fruitful experience.
I'd love to do more, and fully capable, as I've done it all before. But what ever I try gets nothing back. I can't work at the next level due to access issues etc. (I'm pretty sure I know the answer here anyway...the company is great and I'm not wanting to move, but more responsibility, and ultimately more money, would be great)
Sorry to hijack! Not thought about it until I saw the comment.
illmonkey said:
rog007 said:
You’re spot on Tom8.
When coaching, I impress upon candidates that if they are seeking promotion, then they should already be operating/behaving as if they were in that next higher role. If they find that they’re comfortable with that, then they’re probably ready. If not comfortable, then now may not be the right time.
And also as you suggest, turn the selection process on its head; why should any organisation be privileged to have your enquiry and your eventual potential effort in that role. Take control of the process, don’t let it control you and you may find that having that psychological advantage makes it a much more enjoyable and fruitful experience.
I'm intrigued how you'd suggest that in a fairly closed off corporate environment. I've been asking for a year for the opportunity, for some coaching or anything to help me progress. Issue is, my manager doesn't even make my 1-2-1's most of the time. I've escalated that to his manager and nothing has changed. When coaching, I impress upon candidates that if they are seeking promotion, then they should already be operating/behaving as if they were in that next higher role. If they find that they’re comfortable with that, then they’re probably ready. If not comfortable, then now may not be the right time.
And also as you suggest, turn the selection process on its head; why should any organisation be privileged to have your enquiry and your eventual potential effort in that role. Take control of the process, don’t let it control you and you may find that having that psychological advantage makes it a much more enjoyable and fruitful experience.
I'd love to do more, and fully capable, as I've done it all before. But what ever I try gets nothing back. I can't work at the next level due to access issues etc. (I'm pretty sure I know the answer here anyway...the company is great and I'm not wanting to move, but more responsibility, and ultimately more money, would be great)
Sorry to hijack! Not thought about it until I saw the comment.
Other ways to push are to try and get involved in projects in or outside of your area. Make yourself noticed and appreciated. Profile raising is probably most important when trying to progress, do people know you or would they not notice if you left? Not easy to do but you build your reputation through your activities, meetings etc. Can be outside your area, work groups, socially etc.
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