Is your CV kosher?

Are ‘creative’ CV’s acceptable?

We are currently recruiting for various positions within our company, and receiving (or not) CV’s in various formats - CV plus typed or hand-written covering letter, e-mailed CV and sometimes, none at all.

Brought up in an age where the CV was supposed to be no more than two A4 pages long, and expressly sent in to appeal to the recuiter, listening to the furore about Lee McQueen’s little white lie on his CV has raised several questions.

Let us assume that Lee McQueen drew up his own CV and chose not to use a professional CV writer (of which there are many who will do this for a fee).  So he ‘embellished’ it a little - so what.  What we have done in the past is not always a true reflection of what we will become in the future and Lee managed all the practical tasks he was set during the latest ‘Apprentice’ series.  Similarly, recruitment agencies often use a standard template, and for some employers this might work, but not for me.

Have I ever lied on a CV - no.  Have I lied at an interview - yes.  On one occasion I was asked whether I knew how to work the ‘new’ fax machine (which no longer used the old ticker tape system) and I said yes and felt guilty for days afterwards.  I got the job and when told to send a fax, stated that the machine was slightly different to the one I had previously used and could they quickly run over the technicalities.  A lot depends on a candidate’s attitude to work. 

Have CV’s had their day? 

Should I be reading entries on Facebook instead to get a real insight into the poeple who are coming to me for jobs - no thanks, I prefer the old-fashioned way!

1) When applying to my company, should you send in a CV? - Yes, unless you can convince me over the phone that you’re the best thing since sliced bread (and I’ll still want your CV on file)

2) Will I scrutinise every last detail of your CV to make sure it’s 100% accurate? - No, but be sure I’ll find out whether you can self-manage, self-motivate, and self-task very quickly during your trial period.

3) Will I mind that you can’t really spell, construct sentences, present well?  Depends on your job role.

Have you ever lied to get into an interview and what were the consequences? Comment now.

PS. If you’re thinking of sending in your CV - I prefer a hand-written covering letter - call me old-fashioned.

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