just some honest feedback to job seekers out there

[dotty.]

I have spent several hours this week reading through cvs and selecting possible job candidates, i made 3 appointments to interview the only 3 possibly suitable applicants, 2 didn't even turn up for the interview and didn't bother to cancel, the third turned up but had obviously lied on his cv as he knew nowt about retail, and so i have wasted alot of time on nothing, so sod taking on a new person, we will manage and dish out overtime to existing staff, obviously there is a lack of interest in actually working when you can survive on benefits.

[chelle7272]

Hc In a lot of cases most personal details would be removed before the person/s responsible for interviewing would see an application/ cv due to equal opps employment law.
Dotty I understand your frustration, been there recently myself.

[abstibus]

Re CVs
No DOB and no title - MR, Mrs, etc.

[emmie]

annemollie, did you think about dobbing him in to social security?

[abstibus]

em
I have often though about it but done nothing. This town is full of people like him, and I could make your hair curl with some of the stories I hear.
'Checking in to rehab' when 'The Social' start asking questions is a good one.

[missmuppet]

I think alot of the problem these days with getting suitable candidates is the use of CVs. In my day, for basic jobs you filled in an application form and sent it to the employer - now they want a CV and sometimes, even for intelligent people like myself it can seem a little daunting. You hear so much about how your CV has to be just right to get the attention of the people selecting but no one seems to point you in the direction of how to get it there. I work for the NHS and sadly if you don't have certain qualifications you don't even get past the first selection point. Not everyone has qualifications but that doesn't make them unsuitable for the job.

Sorry Dotty,got a bit off topic there - i totally understand your frustration though - if they are that rude to not even attend an interview who would want to employ them anyhow!

[dotty.]

I personally have always found CVs to be a distraction or a potential untruth. clearly anyone with a PC that has a word processor can produce a decent CV but there is always the possibility of fantasy elements entering into it. It's sometimes obvious with the use of stock phrases like 'works well under pressure' and 'works well in a team' but seeing the person's hand written application without the use of a spellchecker is often a better filter.

[albaqwerty]

I omit my marital status, my dob and whether I have any children on my cv.

Dotty, would a 2 page CV put off a prospective employer?

[dotty.]

possibly, depends what the job was, if it was a technically complicated roll that required alot of qualifications and relevent experience then you would need to highlight that knwoing the selectors would be looking for it. if it wasn't then simple details should do with an opening personal statement used to catch the eye.

[dotty.]

*role lol

[albaqwerty]

I list my first job, it's requirements and the promotions and duties.
And then similar for subsequent ones.

On my other CV, it's the other way round, down to my beginnings as it were.

I also don't put in hobbies and interests unless it's a form supplied which asks those questions.

[chris1957au]

Why not take on some one with no retail experience, but a good personality and train them? that way you get someone good for your busness and customers.