Why can't I get an interview?

eyelinerprincess

I've been sending my CV around practically everywhere that's advertising for staff, I've applied for three graduate positions for supermarkets, two have ignored me, one I "failed" the maths test (and to be honest, you'd need to be a mathematician to pass it), applied for a number of "normal" jobs, none of them have even been in contact with me since.

My CV is pretty basic - education, work experience, referees etc. and runs to a page and my references only on the second.

I have almost three years of retail experience, and I think it's just seeming worse as I need a new job, my current one is really getting me down, it's badly paid, I'm working unpaid overtime every night of the week (up to half an hour a night), I dislike the management as they're now grinding us down and threatening to pay us off as "we're not working hard enough" which I think I am.

Do I need to improve my CV? Should I omit my degree when applying for normal retail jobs?

Bunnie1982

Hope you don't mind me asking but what is your degree in?

Are you getting letters back saying "thanks but no thanks"? Or are you just not hearing back completely?

Are you tailoring your CV for each job you are applying for?

I really understand what you are going through because I don't feel like I am getting anywhere at the moment.

eyelinerprincess

My degree is in music technology, which is almost useless.

I'm not hearing anything back at all from anywhere.

I'm tailoring my CV slightly, e.g. a job I applied for wanted till experience so I explicitly added that in my job description for my previous two jobs.

I also have no idea what to write for those "anything else?" questions on application forms.

emmy05

i used to find that CV's were very much like a bloody credit check for finance, have you thought about going to the local job centre and asking them about your CV, whether you need to change the lay-out, or add or take away things youre putting in, i honestly used to think that too much information isnt gd or theyd know enough to not want to interview me, but you never can really tell, chin up, im sure things will happen for you, and good luck xx

eyelinerprincess

We were given a class on CVs at uni, but it was more for a professional job, rather than a general CV.

bestpud

Do you still have access to the careers dept at your uni?

We can contact ours for up to three years after we graduate so it may be worth checking that out. If you live miles away, they may be prepared to help via email as it is quite specific advice you want.

Bunnie1982

I know this is probably not a very helpful comment but as a general rule if you are not hearing back it means your application hasn't been looked at.

There are quite a few jobsearch sites on the Internet that give advice on how to build a good CV.

In terms of the additional information box on application forms you should be relating this back to the person specification for the job, making sure you address every point.

faerie_girl

Morrisons will take anybody
have you tried them? I believe they do a graduate scheme too

Savvy_Sue

Are you applying in the right way? For example, no point sending your cv if they want you to complete THEIR application form.

As for the 'anything else' question, that's your chance to demonstrate that you have all the skills they are looking for. So, if a job wants till experience, you make sure that's highlighted in the 'freestyle' section. If they want a team player, you give examples of when you've helped a team achieve a goal etc.