Opinions from HR / Rec. Consultants etc

amanish

Hi All,

I was made redundant from my last job in May 2010 after working there for 6 years. I have been hunting and applying for all types of jobs and had been to interviews, but have not been successful. I took up a temporary job in Nov 2010 for 2 months and have been unemployed after that.

I had recently been to 2 interviews and was again unsuccessful.

My query is:

1. Does the unemployment gap in my CV put off possible recruiters???
2. Are there many people out there who have been unemployed for a long time?
3. How to get noticed by recruitment agencies...? If there are loads of CV with same experience / qualifications?
4. The feedback from 3 of my interviews was that I was overqualified and over experienced and I would get bored of the position or I would not stick on, due to my qualifications and experience...how do I position myself against this? How do I let my recruiter know that I am someone who will stick on and do the best of my ability and am willing to work under someone who is lesser qualified and under experienced than me???

Thanks

Amanish

heretolearn_2

A gap doesn't put me off as long as you've been doing something productive in that time and not just lying on the sofa watching Jeremy Kyle:rotfl:

I would expect to see some training/voluntary work/work experience etc during the past 7 or 8 months.

smileylondongal

I agree, so many people have been made redundant and over a long period of time off so I wouldn't worry so much about that end of things though I'd definitely be ready to justify what you've been doing to keep your 'hand' in your career.

In terms of convincing people of going for a more junior position, it's a tricky one as they will naturally be worried that you'll either be bored after a short while or that you'll jump ship when you spot something you really do want. I think employers are concerned at the moment as the job market means so many of us are just accepting the first thing we are offered and then go when the market is more buoyant.

I think the only things you can really do is tell them that whilst you may have done a similar role a few years back you miss X aspect of it and would like to go back to it. Tell them you really like the company and culture and want to be part of it. As for how they take this will depend on whether or not they believe you or have someone else in the wings too. You can but try and I wouldn't let it put you off. Just go for it!