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CV Advice

Matthew

| 0 Posts

10 Jan, 2017 08:11

Hi All

 

I’m looking for some advice on my CV, specifically;

(i) Addressing a gap in employment

(ii) Highlighting transferable skills when transitioning to a different career

 

(i). I moved overseas (Singapore) with my wife for her job on a 14 month contract last year and will be returning to the UK in March / April. I gave up my job in the UK to move here as we both wanted the exciting experience of living overseas within a different culture. Whilst here I’ve been unable to find work as there are some strict restrictions on employing foreigners as well as a weakened economy. In this time, I’ve studied and qualified as an Associate CIPD, which is listed on my CV, along with a few bits of volunteering with a friend but it still feels like I have a huge hole in my CV.

 

(ii). I’ve updated my CV to reflect my transferable skills from my previous role as a financial analyst (and manager) as I am yet to have any direct experience within a HR role. I’m a little concerned that my previous experience of management might put off any recruiters / companies as I’ll be looking to move in to a more junior role. It would seem strange to leave this information out.

 

I appreciate this may be hard to answer without seeing my CV but any thoughts or advice would be greatly received,

 

Many Thanks

Matt

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  • Keith

    | 0 Posts

    10 Jan, 2017 08:24

    Morning Matt

    (i) certainly if everything else was in order then I don't think 14 months for the reasons you state will be the biggest hurdle. Best to be upfront about it and state pretty much the reasons you give. You have taken some proactive action and I would maximise this to the full in terms of qualifications and volunteering so it doesn't look like a long holiday. But its in reality little more than the length of maternity lave.

    (ii) Think this is your bigger issue to be honest. Its not so much the management experience that will stop you progressing but the general difficulty of getting into HR without relevant experience. If you do a search there are lots o threads with advice around networking etc.

    Good luck
  • David

    | 0 Posts

    10 Jan, 2017 09:05

    In reply to Keith:

    Hi Matt

    So long as your cv makes it clear against the Singapore bit that you were an expat there accompanying your wife and studying for CIPD and volunteering too then I as well wouldn't think it will be any kind of drawback at all - so long as the period is accounted-for like this, sure vast majority of recruiters wouldn't regard it as dodgy or unusual in any way
  • admin

    | 0 Posts

    10 Jan, 2017 10:35

    In reply to Keith:

    Thanks Keith - I'll certainly make an effort to get out and network when I return
  • admin

    | 0 Posts

    10 Jan, 2017 10:36

    In reply to David:

    Thanks David - I've adjusted my CV to reflect this so it's crystal clear to any recruiter who picks up
  • Matthew

    | 0 Posts

    12 Jan, 2017 10:12

    In reply to Keith:

    Hi Keith / David

    On a slightly different note, do you think it's wise for me state my ambitions to complete a Masters in any cover letters / job applications? I'm weary that I might come across as too ambitious and inpatient.

    Thanks
  • Robey

    | 0 Posts

    12 Jan, 2017 10:47

    If you want to be concise about your overseas time, you could just say "travelling". It's really quite common, these days, for people to take a career break or gap year to tick some boxes off the bucket list.
  • Nick Spindler

    | 0 Posts

    12 Jan, 2017 10:48

    In reply to Matthew:

    Personally, I've never been keen on stating such in a cv, rather to focus on the here and now. And given your understandable misgivings about over qualification in management I'd leave that for an interview, if asked.

    Otherwise, I second what Keith and David have said.
  • Keith

    | 0 Posts

    12 Jan, 2017 13:33

    In reply to Matthew:

    I wouldn't put down at this stage you are keen to do a Masters. Don't think it will help you in your situation. It will confuse more than educate
  • Steve

    | 0 Posts

    12 Jan, 2017 17:40

    Hi Matt,

    Have you considered trying to find a new role that is a 'half-way' house to the HR role that you aspire to? I often see adverts for Office Manager type roles that look for people with a broad range of skills that include finance/budgetary, HR and management.

    It may be that this is your best option; find a stepping stone to your 'ideal' role whilst utilising the finance / management skills you have and building on your HR knowledge (usually to gain experience carrying out things like recruitment, performance appraisals and sick management)

    Hope this helps and good luck
  • Johanna

    | 0 Posts

    CIPD Staff

    13 Jan, 2017 08:06

    Hi Matthew - thanks for posting :) On reading your situation I was struck by how authentic and relatable (not that I've ever been, but many people could picture the scenario) the way you described your 14 month stint in Singapore was. If I was recruiting and read that on your CV in a paragraph entitled something like 14 months in Singapore, it wouldn't put me off at all.

  • admin

    | 0 Posts

    16 Jan, 2017 14:47

    you might find the CIPD Career management webinars and workshops useful? www.cipd.co.uk/.../management-workshop-webinars
  • Matthew

    | 0 Posts

    19 Jan, 2017 08:46

    In reply to Johanna:

    Thanks Johanna. In this period of living overseas I've listed on my CV the volunteering I've been doing.
  • Matthew

    | 0 Posts

    19 Jan, 2017 08:49

    In reply to Keith:

    Thanks Keith. I think you're right, after discussing this at length with my wife we both agreed it throws up more questions about expectations than needed.
  • Matthew

    | 0 Posts

    19 Jan, 2017 08:54

    In reply to Steve:

    Thanks Steve. Yes, I'm definitely keeping my options open regarding roles and trying to utilise my prior experience for a break in role (so to speak).
  • admin

    | 0 Posts

    27 Jan, 2017 14:07

    Hi Matt,

    You may be interested in attending the free Winning CVs webinar that the CIPD careers team are running at the moment, more information can be found here shop.cipd.co.uk/.../career-management-webinars-1

    If not there are also some great tips on the career hub relating to CVs.