Getting back into IT after an extended break
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Been finding things much harder than I expected, trying to get back to my old IT type of employment. Without going into too much detail I was looking after a sick family member for an extended time. Since then have found the wages have decreased and the amount of roles since before I had my break. I was wondering if my covering letter and CV is now old fashioned or I am not covering the extended break well in them? Was hoping someone with experience could possibly advise.
Thanks
Been finding things much harder than I expected, trying to get back to my old IT type of employment. Without going into too much detail I was looking after a sick family member for an extended time. Since then have found the wages have decreased and the amount of roles since before I had my break. I was wondering if my covering letter and CV is now old fashioned or I am not covering the extended break well in them? Was hoping someone with experience could possibly advise.
Thanks
Get a LinkedIn profile set up - you can basically make it a copy of your CV with s few other bits bolted on - it’s a nescessary evil in today’s job market.
And good luck; I’m in the same position and recruiters who have contacted me directly (all through LinkedIn btw) have been great in understanding why I took a 1 year sabbatical and I’ve had plenty of interest, but high street/industry agencies won’t give me the time of day. I’ve been told more than once that “our clients won’t accept any male that has a year+ gap on their CV”. Cretins.
And good luck; I’m in the same position and recruiters who have contacted me directly (all through LinkedIn btw) have been great in understanding why I took a 1 year sabbatical and I’ve had plenty of interest, but high street/industry agencies won’t give me the time of day. I’ve been told more than once that “our clients won’t accept any male that has a year+ gap on their CV”. Cretins.
No need to have gaps on CVs, it’s just how you present that time period.
Clearly if you’ve just sat with your feet up for a year watching Jeremy Kyle and done nothing else at all, then that will be a bit of a challenge.
The reality is that most don’t do that so the ‘gaps’ can usually be professionally covered on a CV without too much trouble I find.
Clearly if you’ve just sat with your feet up for a year watching Jeremy Kyle and done nothing else at all, then that will be a bit of a challenge.
The reality is that most don’t do that so the ‘gaps’ can usually be professionally covered on a CV without too much trouble I find.
rog007 said:
No need to have gaps on CVs, it’s just how you present that time period.
Clearly if you’ve just sat with your feet up for a year watching Jeremy Kyle and done nothing else at all, then that will be a bit of a challenge.
The reality is that most don’t do that so the ‘gaps’ can usually be professionally covered on a CV without too much trouble I find.
You're quite right, and a well-rehearsed schpeel about what you've done really helps - it has for me. But still I've found out-of-house recruiters to be hostile towards it; it would appear I'm at the bottom of the pecking order with them. Luckily I've had much better responses elsewhere.Clearly if you’ve just sat with your feet up for a year watching Jeremy Kyle and done nothing else at all, then that will be a bit of a challenge.
The reality is that most don’t do that so the ‘gaps’ can usually be professionally covered on a CV without too much trouble I find.
Good luck op.
Have you really been away for the whole period without any contact whatsoever with ‘IT’? Even from Monday, could you not offer some volunteer IT support to the local church or charity? Could you do some online courses next week to brush up on your knowledge and skills? Look for opportunities to cover the gap and you may be surprised what you can come up with.
Some good advice here, but the top to me is to get a decent linked in profile set up: you are talking about working in IT, if you are invisible on linked in I think many prospective employers would wonder why!! First place many will look rather than at your paper CV!
Pick one or two former colleagues you respected and check their profiles out....do something similar. Get your skills on their and don't be shy to ask former colleagues or employers if they wouldn't mind adding some good words for you.
Linked in is basic networking - ask to be connected with as many former colleagues (& friends) as possible. Before long you will find 'head hunters' (recruitment agencies!) contacting you!!
Good luck!
Pick one or two former colleagues you respected and check their profiles out....do something similar. Get your skills on their and don't be shy to ask former colleagues or employers if they wouldn't mind adding some good words for you.
Linked in is basic networking - ask to be connected with as many former colleagues (& friends) as possible. Before long you will find 'head hunters' (recruitment agencies!) contacting you!!
Good luck!
Hi Dr Jekyll
I like to think my main skills are as much about my personality as my actual IT skills as I always found I was used to diffuse stressful situations etc. As regards IT skills I spent the majority of my IT Career in support roles in the City of London for some of the biggest legal firms in the world. Therefore I can support the full range of legal applications and I am diplomatic when dealing with awkward situations.
I like to think my main skills are as much about my personality as my actual IT skills as I always found I was used to diffuse stressful situations etc. As regards IT skills I spent the majority of my IT Career in support roles in the City of London for some of the biggest legal firms in the world. Therefore I can support the full range of legal applications and I am diplomatic when dealing with awkward situations.
LPOOL said:
Parabolica
Thanks for the info. I guess I will have to do linkedin as a private person without even facebook I was not keen but seems worthwhile by the sounds of things.
You sound like a very private person. To really make use of your LinkedIn profile and experience you need to break from that. Smart picture, lots of ‘selling’ of yourself. Pay for the premium package to get the inmail credits, start networking. First with old colleagues, then see if they can introduce you to their connections.Thanks for the info. I guess I will have to do linkedin as a private person without even facebook I was not keen but seems worthwhile by the sounds of things.
In your position, you are going to need to work hard and put the networking graft in. See it as a sales job... where you are the product you are selling.
Good luck.
LPOOL said:
Hi Dr Jekyll
I like to think my main skills are as much about my personality as my actual IT skills as I always found I was used to diffuse stressful situations etc. As regards IT skills I spent the majority of my IT Career in support roles in the City of London for some of the biggest legal firms in the world. Therefore I can support the full range of legal applications and I am diplomatic when dealing with awkward situations.
Desktop support then or 1st line?I like to think my main skills are as much about my personality as my actual IT skills as I always found I was used to diffuse stressful situations etc. As regards IT skills I spent the majority of my IT Career in support roles in the City of London for some of the biggest legal firms in the world. Therefore I can support the full range of legal applications and I am diplomatic when dealing with awkward situations.
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