Last gig end date....

[zippy.mini]

For you guys who have been on the bench a while, what do you have on your CV in the way of dates for your last gig?
Mine ended in December, and whilst in Jan I was getting a few calls (albeit about jobs I wasn't necessarily qualified for or interested in), now I'm getting nothing. My CV currently states that last gig ended December 2009. I'm beginning to think that's not such a good idea but am unsure what to say instead.

[northernladuk]

This has been debated endlessly and seems to come down to what level of desperation you are at and what level of risk you are willing to take.

I have to say the idea of lying on your cv for the sake of less thank 2 months is a pretty stupid thing to do. It is hardly a career break is it? There are guys on here with 6- 8 months to think about.

I believe lying on your cv is technically illegal (but i could be corrected here) and depending on where you go there is a strong chance they will check either by finacial/historical checks to make sure you are who you say or by security checks should you be going BC or SC or something. I am sure you do not need to be told what happens when they find out. Clients do NOT take lightly to you lying on your cv.

Saying that my point again... lying just for the sake of 8 week

[zippy.mini]

I wasn't suggesting lying.
I was more thinking about removing dates altogether on the CV. Or maybe some other clever trick I haven't thought about that isn't lying.
I know I've not been on the bench long comparatively speaking - to be fair, I haven't been looking ALL that time anyway and am currently updating my professional qualifications so I can explain the gap should I need to.

I'll use the search button to see what has been said in other threads.

[northernladuk]

Again, you have to apply a bit of common sense here. Taking your dates off your CV is rubbish. It will just cause confusion at the clients end so is a total no no. There are no 'clever tricks' to hide information, it is akin to lying or fraud as you are, as you admit, tricking the client....

To re-iterate, is 8 weeks really worth trying to trick you client?

Just be honest.. It will come and bite you some how if you are not.

[zippy.mini]

To re-iterate - I don't want to lie or trick anyone.
Just wondered if being economical with the truth so that an Agent has to call you to find out more might be worth a shot. Would always tell the truth when asked.
Guess if not having dates is a bad thing, then there's not a lot of other options.

[cojak]

No, I'm afraid there isn't...

[BolshieBastard]

Im just telling agents my 3.5 year contract ended before Christmas (which is perfectly true) but not saying when unless pushed.

They normally go 'oh that's a good long contract' and I say yes it was, multiple extensions which enabled me to gain SME status on the system I was responsible for.

If I get them steered down this line, they forget to ask 'when exactly did you leave?'

You could if you want, leave your end date blank on your cv for the time being. When pushed you can say you havent got around to updating your cv just yet.

[PAH]

Mine ended in December, and whilst in Jan I was getting a few calls (albeit about jobs I wasn't necessarily qualified for or interested in), now I'm getting nothing.

I wouldn't be suprised if the initial interest you received in January was by agents fishing, having seen your recently ended contract.

They'll have been checking if you were a hot lead, with the client maybe having an opening they can worm their way into.

[nomadd]

For you guys who have been on the bench a while, what do you have on your CV in the way of dates for your last gig?
Mine ended in December, and whilst in Jan I was getting a few calls (albeit about jobs I wasn't necessarily qualified for or interested in), now I'm getting nothing. My CV currently states that last gig ended December 2009. I'm beginning to think that's not such a good idea but am unsure what to say instead.

I follow the excellent tip that was given on this very site: I don't put the month on my cv any more, just the year. And if I'd finished a contract in Dec. 2009, I' just list it on my cv as 2010 - as that's effectively when I'd be looking around for work again - i.e. in the New Year. Problem solved.

[zippy.mini]

Im just telling agents my 3.5 year contract ended before Christmas (which is perfectly true) but not saying when unless pushed.

They normally go 'oh that's a good long contract' and I say yes it was, multiple extensions which enabled me to gain SME status on the system I was responsible for.

If I get them steered down this line, they forget to ask 'when exactly did you leave?'

You could if you want, leave your end date blank on your cv for the time being. When pushed you can say you havent got around to updating your cv just yet.

So what does your CV say?