Do potential employers look less favourably on those needing to give notice ?

Jimmy_Boy

So... I applied for a job and my CV is slightly out of date by 3 months (I know, my fault). My CV gives the impression that I am currently without work and hence available to start immediately. I am currently 3 months into a job which requires one months notice. I worry that at the interview they will be upset that I have to give a months notice and cannot start immediately, will they put other applicants who dont have to give a months notice ahead of me ?

I dont have much employment history (I tend to stick at a jobs) and in turn dont know much about the candidate selection process, so my concerns may be unwarranted, would just appreciate a second opinion.

74jax

One of my interview questions is always 'when it's the position to start'. 

Even if not working, people may have holidays /commitments etc. 

My notice has always been 3mths, and I've just told them when discussing start dates etc at interview.

I've personally never found it a problem, and when interviewing for assistants, I've never put one before the other due to notice periods. It's on experience and the right fit for me. 

TELLIT01

Not having the current job on your CV is more likely to be questioned than the need to give notice.  That may raise concerns along the lines of "If they can't be bothered to update the CV before sending it in, how conscientious will they be in the job?"

Grumpy_chap

The majority of people are in employment.
The majority of people in employment are on four weeks / one month notice.
The majority of employers are more concerned with getting the best candidate than any candidate immediately available.

I would also expect that the majority of employers would see as a positive that you are honouring your contractual obligations to existing employer and not simply willing to walk without notice leaving the existing employer in the lurch.  That says a lot about your professionalism.

What may be a bigger concern to a prospective employer is why you started a job and are looking to move within a few months.

[Deleted User]

Grumpy_chap said:

What may be a bigger concern to a prospective employer is why you started a job and are looking to move within a few months.

This, grumpy chap beat me too it.

Why are you looking to jump ship after a matter of weeks?

Past behaviour is a good indicator of future performance.

Jimmy_Boy

What may be a bigger concern to a prospective employer is why you started a job and are looking to move within a few months.

I understand... the job really was a 'needs must' kind of thing... I really needed some income to pay off monthly debts etc... applied for many jobs but didnt even get a reply, was offered this so took it.

My previous jobs have been field based and this new job is also field based, I enjoy this type of work.

My current work is monotonous and mind numbing,  working 4pm to 2am stood in front on a machine all night feeding it steel, its really starting to hurt my back (ive had to take a few days off because I couldnt move, and also had to see the doctor about it), I broke a rib, crushed my finger and feel its only a matter of time until something more serious happens (or I go insane! haha)

Jimmy_Boy

TELLIT01 said:

Not having the current job on your CV is more likely to be questioned than the need to give notice.  That may raise concerns along the lines of "If they can't be bothered to update the CV before sending it in, how conscientious will they be in the job?"

I understand but there is a reason! This sounds bad, but its the reality!

I wanted to make a nice looking CV and used some online tool to give me a template, went through the whole process of getting it all laid out how I wanted and looking nice... to then being told I needed to pay £9.99 or something like that to save it. Now you question my morals... but I managed to save it by doing a 'Print to PDF' which I could use, but I cant edit it. It's something ive been meaning to get round to but just havent as of yet.

Sandtree

Ultimately it depends on why they are hiring... in the majority of cases employers expect to be waiting for new employees to be working a notice and its only really if the proverbial has hit the fan that they'll choose a lesser candidate with out notice over waiting. 

When you get more senior notices are frequently 3 months and some even longer, a former colleague had 12 months notice. This is when negotiation skills come in or you may want to consider resigning first and start looking when you are down to 3-4 months left. 

I agree with others though, the absence of your current role, especially as its a short position is going to raise more red flags than the resulting notice period.

Jimmy_Boy

So the absence of my current role appears to be the main issue, what are my best options ?

1) Say that I am currently working and require 1 months notice - any advice on a good reason why I havent included it on my CV, or just tell the truth as mentioned above which is essentially I cannot edit the file! haha
2) Not mention anything and
a) Just jump ship from current job
b) Make reasons as to why I cannot start for a month

I dont like lying and would prefer to be honest, but would like to give myself the best opportunity of getting the job.

Savvy_Sue

There are options to convert pdf to Word. It won't be perfect and it will probably be a free trial, but better than nothing!

Jimmy_Boy

Savvy_Sue said:

There are options to convert pdf to Word. It won't be perfect and it will probably be a free trial, but better than nothing!

Thats an option for the future, but doesnt solve the current dilema 

I'll look into it though.