The death of my CV

[Deleted User]

Would welcome any thoughts on this - at present I feel like I would be committing even worser career suicide

Try and be brief the jobcentre want me to re-do my CV (ok) and declare my last employer of this year which only equates to spending 5/6 weeks in a call centre (industry totally new to me) 4 of which was being trained up with 2 tests before I was call centre ready, in fact I took probably all of 1 call unaided when I got there

I always thought you didn't have the 'right' to put down an employer when you weren't there so long? bysides which I've so many hang-up's I would need to take a box of tissues into any interview I was invited to to explain this one away let alone steer away from the negativety your not meant to display

Any thoughts cause I'm baffled I wasn't sacked but how does this work, one of my advisors said local employers will understand because of the reputation of the company but then I was dumb enough to get job there

starrybee

I don't totally understand what was so wrong with the job, but if you really don't want to put it on your CV, give a CV (with it on) to your job centre, then send out your normal CV as usual when applying for jobs. It'll keep them happy and what they don't know won't hurt them.

306chris

Just because you re-do it doesn't mean you have to use it.

I must have 4/5 different cv's. However only one is uploaded on UJM

November5th

Deleted%20User wrote: »

Would welcome any thoughts on this - at present I feel like I would be committing even worser career suicide

Try and be brief the jobcentre want me to re-do my CV (ok) and declare my last employer of this year which only equates to spending 5/6 weeks in a call centre (industry totally new to me) 4 of which was being trained up with 2 tests before I was call centre ready, in fact I took probably all of 1 call unaided when I got there

I always thought you didn't have the 'right' to put down an employer when you weren't there so long? bysides which I've so many hang-up's I would need to take a box of tissues into any interview I was invited to to explain this one away let alone steer away from the negativety your not meant to display

Any thoughts cause I'm baffled I wasn't sacked but how does this work, one of my advisors said local employers will understand because of the reputation of the company but then I was dumb enough to get job there

It is entirely up to you what goes on your CV and if this job shows nothing of value why add it. I have a one month job that I had to leave as it was awful and I don't include that - I explain the gap by saying I took some time off to renovate my flat. It is a shame because the job really shows off some good skills, but I don't want to go into just how bad it was that I had to leave - people would not believe it.
I know what you mean about trigger topics in interviews, I steer well clear of a few

[Deleted User]

Just remember this - a CV isn't a historical document. It's not meant to be a record of 'you'

It is a sales document. It's marketing. It's about putting a spin on you and your work/education to make someone want to hire you. Even if you hated a job you can add it; if only to help you get a job you do like.

Print_Screen

You just got to learn to play the game called Job Centre Plus. Just jump through their silly little hoops, until it becames a bigger issue such as job seekers allowance being cut.

If they want you to say you are a budding fan of Chedder chesse on your CV then do so.

If they insist that you must put down that course on "The Physcology of Ocelots" that the Job Centre sent you to, which according to them was essential to gain employment then just tag it on to your CV.

Finally if the Job Centre insist that all CVs you hand in to them must be on Blue Paper scented with Cinammon, Old Spice and Fish Fingers as this is what one of their "resarch groups" has shown employers want.
Then smile like Captain Birdseye and given them a CV like this.

Meanwhile construct a normal CV and actually send this out to employeers.
Consider the Job Centre like an irritable child that loves box ticking and needs to be occassionally satisfied with no rhyme nor reason as to why.

[Deleted User]

starrybee wrote: »

I don't totally understand what was so wrong with the job, QUOTE]

With respect I don't want you too
The job wrongness is between me, polite society or office politics (one of the two I guess lol!) and the organ grinder

I merely asked CV query ref what Jobcentre have said after feeling fragile but sooooooo well aware life doesn't work out the way we sometimes want it to or think we've a right to I guess, otherwise I have no bother with the JC in any other way

Everything else I'm totally with

Thanks everybody x

purple.sarah

I worked at a call centre for 2 months and when I was getting help with my CV the advisor said that was actually an impressive length of time given the company's reputation. Call centre jobs are known for having a higher rate of burn out but getting the job doesn't make you dumb, it shows you were willing to work and gave it a shot. If you weren't fired it could be better to show you were doing something with that time rather than having that 6 week gap on your CV. Call centre experience gives you lots of transferable skills such as customer service and data protection training, it's about presenting it positively. A prospective employer doesn't need to hear all the gory details in an interview, you don't have to tell them you only took one call unaided or you hated the job. You could just say you realised call centre work wasn't for you but developed valuable transferable skills then talk about how you could use them in the job you're applying for. As others have said you could do a CV for the job centre that mentions this job and you don't have to use it when applying for jobs but consider it. It's a good idea to try different versions of your CV and tailor them to the job you are applying for. I know looking for work is stressful but try not to panic, mentioning that you worked in a call centre for a few weeks is not career suicide. To avoid getting upset in an interview, stick to the facts, avoid emotional details and practice answering interview questions with a friend before hand. Good luck.

Evilm

The reason they want you to do it is to reduce the amount of time it appears you have been out of work. It may not be much but if its 2 months vs. 9 months its going to look 'better' even if you did leave quickly.

You have the right to put a *day* working at a place on your CV if its true -but its up to you if you feel it adds value or not.

As for getting a job and then finding out its a bad fit for you that can happen and only reflects on you for how you present it.

National_Careers_Service

I think 306Chris makes a good point about having more than one CV. Remember there’s no right or wrong way of putting a CV together and as Ringo_24601 said it should be seen as a sales document a way of getting the right messages across to the employer.

It sounds like you feel pressured to include the call centre job on your CV and would rather leave it off. How about looking at it from different angles? There are pros and cons to most things and I suppose knowing what the advantages and disadvantage are can often help you decide what to do next.

Reasons to include the job on your CV

• It’s recent work experience and shows that you are employable!
• It may be relevant to the next job you apply for
• It fills in what could potentially be a gap in your work history

Reasons to exclude or at least not to highlight it

• The employer might want to ask questions that you feel uncomfortable answering during an interview
• They may want to know why you left
• It may not be relevant to the job you’re applying for

The good news is, if you do decide to include it in your CV the last 3 points are all something that can be worked on, For instance if you’ve left a job because of a bad experience then you could focus on the things you’ve learned from that experience, the things you’ve taken forward. Make it seem like it’s in the past and has been dealt with successfully. If the job isn’t relevant to the vacancy you’re applying for consider looking for the transferable skills and related experience you’ve gained. There are so many ways in which you can turn these things around with just a little thought and a bit of practice!

I wonder; have you thought about creating a basic ‘core’ CV, one that includes your full work history? Think of it as a draft document. Not to be used in full, but to act as the main source of information you turn to when tailoring your CV to a particular vacancy. Look at each vacancy with a fresh pair of eyes before you decide what to include or omit.

Having said that, your CV doesn’t necessarily have to be centred around your work history. If you would prefer to draw the employers attention away from the dates times and chronological list of past jobs then how about making your core skills shine out with a nice enticing list of your key skills and/or achievements. A functional CV could be a good option for you to consider. It’s based on skills and experience rather than job titles and gives you the opportunity to compile a concise list of all the significant things the employer will be looking for.

I’ve looked at 1000’s of CV’s over the years and never cease to be amazed at the variety of formats and styles used! It all boils down to whether the employer likes YOUR style and if you have the confidence in your CV then we’re almost there! I wonder; has anyone had a look at your CV or have you had any help for anyone linked to the Job Centre?

I’m sure, no, I KNOW that you’re not in your own with this and wonder if anyone else out there reading this has had a similar experience? I’d be curious to know! I’m also keen to know what you decided to do with your CV. Have you amended it yet?