Amazingly the forum search didn't throw anything up for this - possibly a minimum keyword length issue? :|
Bit of catharsis more than anything, this one.
Been freelancing for about 2 years, but recently decided I needed to get back into contracting. This prompted a re-write of my 20 year old, 12 page Word CV that highlighted all my previous roles with a full skill list against each (which has been very successful contrary to what you'd think). Had a bit of time, so I decided to use InDesign to freshen it up; its now 3 concise pages, with only a small selection of my roles highlighted written in a non-chronological STAR format. The rest of my roles are still there but in a simple list format with no details surrounding them.
Sent it out to agents a week ago - had mostly positive feedback and landed a few interviews for quite interesting roles (with at least a £200 per day increase in rate based on what I was on 2 years ago), which surely means it can't be too bad.
Of the 50 or so agents I've spoken to in the last few weeks, one said he wasn't sure what my job title is (I can fill a fairly wide range of roles and the CV highlights one of each of them). I think he was edging towards asking me to customise it for the role, but I shut him down before he got there.
Another was absolutely adamant that he needed it in Word format. After asking "Why?" and him fumbling around with reasons about 4 times, he finally settled on "Clients can't open PDFs because security". I just told him I'd rather not work with a client that can't open PDFs in 2018
I'm well aware that some agents alter CVs, and that some legacy ATS systems don't always work well with PDF, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. Anyone else use a PDF CV these days?
Another (whom I think is a reputable agency) asked me to complete a technical test, then provide 2 references before they would even submit me for the role (which did seem genuine - got the company name and confirmed they're advertising for the role on linkedin and on their site). Although I normally refuse to do technical tests, I decided to complete it as I was a bit bored that day, and scored much better than I expected. I then told the agent I'd give them references once they'd secured me an interview and an offer. They gave me some nonsense about the client being new and that they promised they would provide all this to them up-front. I actually believed them, but I also know it's a dodgy agency practice to farm leads and I don't want my previous clients being necessarily bothered unless I've got an offer on the table. Imagine how chuffed your references would be if they were contacted for every single job you applied for?
Just wish I could get consistent work freelancing - wouldn't have to worry about all this CV and agent malarky!
Bit of catharsis more than anything, this one.
Been freelancing for about 2 years, but recently decided I needed to get back into contracting. This prompted a re-write of my 20 year old, 12 page Word CV that highlighted all my previous roles with a full skill list against each (which has been very successful contrary to what you'd think). Had a bit of time, so I decided to use InDesign to freshen it up; its now 3 concise pages, with only a small selection of my roles highlighted written in a non-chronological STAR format. The rest of my roles are still there but in a simple list format with no details surrounding them.
Sent it out to agents a week ago - had mostly positive feedback and landed a few interviews for quite interesting roles (with at least a £200 per day increase in rate based on what I was on 2 years ago), which surely means it can't be too bad.
Of the 50 or so agents I've spoken to in the last few weeks, one said he wasn't sure what my job title is (I can fill a fairly wide range of roles and the CV highlights one of each of them). I think he was edging towards asking me to customise it for the role, but I shut him down before he got there.
Another was absolutely adamant that he needed it in Word format. After asking "Why?" and him fumbling around with reasons about 4 times, he finally settled on "Clients can't open PDFs because security". I just told him I'd rather not work with a client that can't open PDFs in 2018
I'm well aware that some agents alter CVs, and that some legacy ATS systems don't always work well with PDF, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. Anyone else use a PDF CV these days?Another (whom I think is a reputable agency) asked me to complete a technical test, then provide 2 references before they would even submit me for the role (which did seem genuine - got the company name and confirmed they're advertising for the role on linkedin and on their site). Although I normally refuse to do technical tests, I decided to complete it as I was a bit bored that day, and scored much better than I expected. I then told the agent I'd give them references once they'd secured me an interview and an offer. They gave me some nonsense about the client being new and that they promised they would provide all this to them up-front. I actually believed them, but I also know it's a dodgy agency practice to farm leads and I don't want my previous clients being necessarily bothered unless I've got an offer on the table. Imagine how chuffed your references would be if they were contacted for every single job you applied for?
Just wish I could get consistent work freelancing - wouldn't have to worry about all this CV and agent malarky!
into PDF format. Considering people scrape whole profiles off LinkedIn and pass them off as their own, I figure I have no control over it once I've let it enter the devil's database.
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