Whats the response rate to applications these days?

Salz

Daedalus wrote: »

It is putting the keywords on your CV in a white font. To the eye they can't see them but a computer would pick them up. Some companies use computers to sift CVs to a shortlist based on the keywords. Of course recruiters are familiar with this, especially big companies which use computers in the first place, and all it takes is to highlight the entire CV to show hidden text.

Thankyou - I tend to alter my cv to get the keywords in to my skills etc. Maybe that is why I am not getting anywhere

MrHR

Daedalus wrote: »

It is putting the keywords on your CV in a white font. To the eye they can't see them but a computer would pick them up. Some companies use computers to sift CVs to a shortlist based on the keywords. Of course recruiters are familiar with this, especially big companies which use computers in the first place, and all it takes is to highlight the entire CV to show hidden text.

...And when this happens i automatically reject the applicant as i will be expecting to see key words and experience in B&W on their CV's so when i don't its clear that they have attempted to 'cheat' the system - Fair play if it works for the people that do it however most recruitment Managers are more than aware of this process and look upon it unfavorably.

Also when this happens i mark the application as WW so if they reapply to the company again anyone looking at the system can see their previous applications [Even if they use a different e-mail address when applying] and my reasons for rejection and will 9 times out of 10 automatically reject future applications so anyone thinking of using this process please weigh up if you think it is worth it or not

AP007

MrHR wrote: »

...And when this happens i automatically reject the applicant as i will be expecting to see key words and experience in B&W on their CV's so when i don't its clear that they have attempted to 'cheat' the system - Fair play if it works for the people that do it however most recruitment Managers are more than aware of this process and look upon it unfavorably.

Also when this happens i mark the application as WW so if they reapply to the company again anyone looking at the system can see their previous applications [Even if they use a different e-mail address when applying] and my reasons for rejection and will 9 times out of 10 automatically reject future applications so anyone thinking of using this process please weigh up if you think it is worth it or not

I don't see how its cheating the system when the words you would search would still be in the CV content anyway.

MrHR

AP007 wrote: »

I don't see how its cheating the system when the words you would search would still be in the CV content anyway.

I can only comment on the ones i have seen and dealt with however most don't contain the content and instead people use lots of white key words which they think certain companies will be looking for in an attempt to get their CV into the 'to be reviewed' section - Its always felt very underhand to me and other recruitment Managers i have spoken too but as i said if it works for people then all the best but just be aware it could have the opposite effect and effectively get any future applications 'marked'.

AP007

MrHR wrote: »

I can only comment on the ones i have seen and dealt with however most don't contain the content and instead people use lots of white key words which they think certain companies will be looking for in an attempt to get their CV into the 'to be reviewed' section - Its always felt very underhand to me and other recruitment Managers i have spoken too but as i said if it works for people then all the best but just be aware it could have the opposite effect and effectively get any future applications 'marked'.

I hope under the data protection act you are telling everyone you are retaining their details though.

MrHR

AP007 wrote: »

I hope under the data protection act you are telling everyone you are retaining their details though.

Not personally no - However this is mentioned in the online recruitment process and in the initial generic e-mail sent once a candidate has applied, All of course which is inline with the 'Data Protection Act 1998'

AP007

MrHR wrote: »

Not personally no - However this is mentioned in the online recruitment process and in the initial generic e-mail sent once a candidate has applied, All of course which is inline with the 'Data Protection Act 1998'

And anyone not successful would just drop your Co and email and say 'please do not keep me on file'

MrHR

AP007 wrote: »

And anyone not successful would just drop your Co and email and say 'please do not keep me on file'

Of course there is that option - Iv processed 2 such requests in the past 18 months.

We seem to be going way off topic - I was initially giving my thoughts as a Recruitment Manager to the idea of white-boarding/whitewashing to give another view point to something which you seem to champion and as i said if it works for people then all the best.

AP007

MrHR wrote: »

Of course there is that option - Iv processed 2 such requests in the past 18 months.

We seem to be going way off topic - I was initially giving my thoughts as a Recruitment Manager to the idea of white-boarding/whitewashing to give another view point to something which you seem to champion and as i said if it works for people then all the best.

I don't champion it at all

All the words on mine are on the CV already and like said here the work programme told me to do it and I said I have all the key words on my CV like audit, prepayments, intrastat, Bacs, depreciation, invoice, EURO, sterling, payments, stock comparisons, team player, deadline, KPI etc

Just a repeat of what's on my CV

Daedalus

I agree MrHR. There is nothing specifically wrong with it, some employers will think it is smart and using one's initiative, and some jobs require the slight unsportsmanlike conduct. However, most employers for most jobs want people beyond reproach, and will settle for the safe option over someone who isn't playing by the spirit of the rules.