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

Marcon

Jimmy_Boy said:

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.

Have you actually got an interview lined up? 

If so, I'd tell the truth at a suitable point in the process - not immediately (give yourself time to make an excellent impression first!), but certainly before the end of the interview. You don't need to go into all the detail here; simply say that you were keen to keep your cv short and to the point, but wanted to ensure that xxx as a potential employer wouldn't feel misled because you'd missed out a very short term role which has turned out to be wholly unsuitable.

Jimmy_Boy

Yes, I done an online assessment and test followed a few days later by an email inviting me to an interview which is in 2 days time.

TELLIT01

Jimmy_Boy said:

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.

I certainly wouldn't use that as an explanation for why you didn't update your CV to include your most recent job!  Your explanation that you needed to get work, but didn't enjoy the job would have been sufficient to explain why you were leaving so soon.  Explaining why you haven't included it will be much more difficult.

NormalforNorfolk

If the job you are applying for now is one that you genuinely want to do and commit to for the longer term then i think what you need to do is be upfront about your current job and the reasons why you took it and why you want to leave - if you can’t amend your CV then refer to it in an application cover letter.  As someone involved in my company’s recruitment I don’t think we’d look negatively on your situation - effectively you’ve done what you need to do to keep living until you find what you are really looking for and actually I think that’s quite admirable and demonstrates a work ethic.  Too often people are content to sit around on benefits waiting for the perfect role to land in their lap.   There are also plenty of free CV tools out there so worth doing a web search for ‘free example CV templates’ and you should be able to find one to use and update your details.  Good luck!

Jimmy_Boy

The job I am applying for now is one I would like to commit to.

I think I will bring it up in the interview a little later on after hopefully impressing them and a) Highlight that I have taken a job to provide an income and not rely on benefits... but ultimately the job is not for me, and b) I didnt include it on my CV as the type of work (factory operative) is not relevant to the type of work I want to pursue (field based / tech).

I think its a case of damage limitation, but being truthful and not digging myself a deeper hole by lying to try and look better as it will most likely backfire. 

General_Grant

Jimmy_Boy said:

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.

2 is not the right thing to do - and you prefer honesty any way.

1 - reason is presumably because the current job role is not relevant for the post for which you are now applying.

For the future - As long as you can use a word processing application of some kind (free ones are available, you don't have to use MS Word - but your local library with computers probably allows access to the use of Word) - start now re-doing your CV and add in the current role.  (Still keep it to 2 pages.)  You may even want to take along a copy to the interview.

MalMonroe

Jimmy_Boy said:

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.

Is there any possibility that, having only been at your current job for three months, your employer would consider letting you go earlier? Particularly as you have said that standing all night hurts your back and there have been a couple of injuries (correctly recorded in your employer's accident file, hopefully). It sounds absolutely medieval and horrendous. 

In my experience of job seeking, not all employers are looking for the same thing. Sticking at jobs can sometimes be viewed negatively, as some employers think it shows lack of ambition. Other employers prefer those who have not moved around much. You won't really know until you get there.

But - the interview is in two days, there's not a lot you can do about it now. I think you've done well to get an interview anyway.

All you can do is do your very best at interview and when they say 'if you are offered the job, when can you start?' - just tell them the truth. 

If you are the best applicant for the job they will be prepared to wait for you if they have to. If they don't want to wait, then it isn't the job for you. And you'll know about updating your CV for the next time, too.

You might find the following link useful for future use - CV template, it's a Word version rather than PDF, from Reed Employment.

https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/free-cv-template/ 

Other employment agencies probably provide similar, too. 

Good luck in two days!      Hope you get the job. 

TELLIT01

Potential employers want to see an accurate employment history.  If they need somebody urgently, see from your CV that you are unemployed with the experience they need, and they you turn up and tell them you are actually working and need to give notice they are likely to be unimpressed.  If you are a strong enough match they may still take you on, but it will be one negative factor if there are other good candidates.

Exodi

Notice period is expected and planned around.

Personally I think it looks worse if someone is unemployed, than needing to serve a 1 month notice (which is completely normal).

Jimmy_Boy

Well this is a pain in the backside. The job is a driving job and upon checking my driving license, it expired TODAY! I didnt realise there was a need to renew it, got no renewal notice. 

I dont have a valid passport so cant renew it online, and I believe I need the reminder letter to apply for a license renewal at the post office!