CV not generating interviews
Discussion
This isn't (I hope!) a standard "what's wrong with my CV" query, but something different.
I work in IT, have done so for many years, and I'm in a fairly senior position (no PH-ness intended). I've mostly been employed but also had a spell of a few years consulting/contracting.
My core skills - and interests - lie in operational IT, operational delivery, managing Run teams, infrastructure, DCs, that sort of thing. I've also got good experience in Service Management.
About 15 months ago, my employer reorganised and as a result I was re-aligned into a role which took me almost completely away from operational functions and into what was initially a service management based role, which has subsequently been channelled more and more into a governance and monitoring role, where I am tasked with looking for improvement opportunities, and that's about it. I've stuck it for 15 months, in an organisation which I dislike more and more, but I've now reached the point where I need to move on.
The problem is that most agencies/employers are looking at the "current role" section of my CV (as indeed would I) along with my title (which in fact represents a degree of seniority which perhaps isn't there; company convention names you as a specific title, eg Manager, Head Of, Director, VP, based purely on HR grading) and I think that I'm getting shuffled into File 13 straight away because the type of role I seek is reflected further down my CV and people are just not reading far enough. I did call an agency recently about an interesting role I've seen, and explained all this to him, and he agreed that had I simply sent my CV in, he probably wouldn't have considered me further. As it is, I've piqued his interest and I'm waiting for a call back from him (although I have little faith in a lot of agencies).
Clearly I don't want to lie on, or fabricate, my CV but how can I go about highlighting the relevant aspects of my (fairly recent) career and make it clear that this is what I want to do, so that potential employers will catch on to that and move me to the next stage?
I work in IT, have done so for many years, and I'm in a fairly senior position (no PH-ness intended). I've mostly been employed but also had a spell of a few years consulting/contracting.
My core skills - and interests - lie in operational IT, operational delivery, managing Run teams, infrastructure, DCs, that sort of thing. I've also got good experience in Service Management.
About 15 months ago, my employer reorganised and as a result I was re-aligned into a role which took me almost completely away from operational functions and into what was initially a service management based role, which has subsequently been channelled more and more into a governance and monitoring role, where I am tasked with looking for improvement opportunities, and that's about it. I've stuck it for 15 months, in an organisation which I dislike more and more, but I've now reached the point where I need to move on.
The problem is that most agencies/employers are looking at the "current role" section of my CV (as indeed would I) along with my title (which in fact represents a degree of seniority which perhaps isn't there; company convention names you as a specific title, eg Manager, Head Of, Director, VP, based purely on HR grading) and I think that I'm getting shuffled into File 13 straight away because the type of role I seek is reflected further down my CV and people are just not reading far enough. I did call an agency recently about an interesting role I've seen, and explained all this to him, and he agreed that had I simply sent my CV in, he probably wouldn't have considered me further. As it is, I've piqued his interest and I'm waiting for a call back from him (although I have little faith in a lot of agencies).
Clearly I don't want to lie on, or fabricate, my CV but how can I go about highlighting the relevant aspects of my (fairly recent) career and make it clear that this is what I want to do, so that potential employers will catch on to that and move me to the next stage?
Use your personal description / aims section to sell the you that you want them to see, Format your CV so the Relevant job titles stand out the irrelvant ones hang back if you are with one company
Joe Bloggs inc 1980 - present
IT manager
Senior IT Tecnhician
Frontline support Technician
the bold stands out the normal none bold can be scanned over and barely registers.
Joe Bloggs inc 1980 - present
IT manager
Senior IT Tecnhician
Frontline support Technician
the bold stands out the normal none bold can be scanned over and barely registers.
Make the dates irrelevant, put the company name with the position you think stands out most at the top and the current position under it.
Obviously you tailor a CV to the position you are applying for, so do just that. Make the first bit they read the relevant stuff. You're not lying, and if they ask you can be honest. I don't see how 18 months out the game means you've lost all knowledge of the previous positions.
I loath dealing with recruitment companies, I've been lied to and even had someone make a job up to fish for an other position at my company! (they thought it was my job, but it was a different position) I also hate this automated process when applying, you apply and just get some auto email saying you'll get called if they liked you. No, "sorry, but they didn't think you had the skills" or advice oh what to improve.
Obviously you tailor a CV to the position you are applying for, so do just that. Make the first bit they read the relevant stuff. You're not lying, and if they ask you can be honest. I don't see how 18 months out the game means you've lost all knowledge of the previous positions.
I loath dealing with recruitment companies, I've been lied to and even had someone make a job up to fish for an other position at my company! (they thought it was my job, but it was a different position) I also hate this automated process when applying, you apply and just get some auto email saying you'll get called if they liked you. No, "sorry, but they didn't think you had the skills" or advice oh what to improve.
Edited by illmonkey on Wednesday 1st May 11:05
Put the skills that you want to stand out in a skills summary at the top of the CV and maintain the list with the skills you feel are most in demand at the top.
For example:
C++ Programming 8 years
Java Programming 6 years
Unix Server 10+ years
Windows Server 2 years
...
ITIL Management 4 years
Service Delivery 2 years
So for a C++/Java programming role (the role you might really be aiming for) then those skills are towards the top and the Agency can see that you have a good experience in that (spread over various jobs) but the most recent stuff that you've done like ITIL and SD are right at the bottom.
The Agency can quickly and easily find the skills that you've got an they know how much experience you have.
For example:
C++ Programming 8 years
Java Programming 6 years
Unix Server 10+ years
Windows Server 2 years
...
ITIL Management 4 years
Service Delivery 2 years
So for a C++/Java programming role (the role you might really be aiming for) then those skills are towards the top and the Agency can see that you have a good experience in that (spread over various jobs) but the most recent stuff that you've done like ITIL and SD are right at the bottom.
The Agency can quickly and easily find the skills that you've got an they know how much experience you have.
Some top advice there. To confirm:
- use words from JD & pers spec in your CV to trigger interest.
- opening para of your CV must be tailored to the role you're applying for thus removing the risk you've articulated.
- use your cover letter to reinforce your competence for the role.
Good luck!
- use words from JD & pers spec in your CV to trigger interest.
- opening para of your CV must be tailored to the role you're applying for thus removing the risk you've articulated.
- use your cover letter to reinforce your competence for the role.
Good luck!
mondeoman said:
Do a skills based CV, rather than a chronological one, and make sure your profile hits the keywords of the job you're going for.
This exactly...Also send a covering letter that details where your CV matches the skills of the Job. Use the same words and phrases as used in the advert. The person doing the recruitment may not understand the role so make the job easier for the person doing the recruitment.
I normally take the advert, and use it as a template to address everything they have asked for. I.e. if they have asked for say 4 key skills, then the coverling letter has 4 corresponding lines, each one detailing how I match that skill.
The letter should grab their interest, and the CV adds the detail.
You've also found out that calling the agent has got you a foot in the door. Keep doing that. If you don't someone else will!
Edited by 98elise on Wednesday 1st May 13:23
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