gaps on cv and applying to more than one agency?

ash2008

hey

was let go a couple of weeks ago and been sending off my cv..only the one reply from an agency so far. I have 2 questions that id really appreciate some advice on

1. i have a few gaps of a few mths each on my cv..this is due to either traveling or doing temp work to keep the money coming in. The temp work is not related to the field of work im looking for employment in (IT), so i dont add it to my cv cos it just takes up space.
I know i can explain the gaps no problem. Im just wondering will a recruiter actually give me the chance to explain or as soon as they see it will they just chuck my cv in the bin?

2. I applied for a job advertised by a recruitment agency, they called me and said they would send my cv off and that the company wanted to do interviews fairly quickly. That was a week ago and i havent heard anything back...my last experience of this particular agency was that they seem to make promises but dont follow up.
Ive since seen the exact same job advertised by other agencies...is it okay to apply thru another agency for the same job?? I ask, because its a job where i tick all the boxes..i have less than 3 yrs experience in IT so these kind of jobs i dont find too often, unless theyre call centre which ive been and done.

thanks

kcphoto

I have a gap on my cv from june this year, I finished a contract role and took sime time off for holidays and study etc and have been looking for a new position . I think you might be asked what you were doing in this time and have something to tell them such as , travelling , taking exams etc.

Nearly every agency job I've been contacted about have been "urgently" looking for someone and nothing happens for weeks.
It could be that they're not interested or it could just be a very slow process on the companies side.
You have to ask the agency what's happening and if you are not being considered or going forward, you're better off knowing asap.
If its just a slow process on the companies side (which is the case with a lot of companies now because they are getting so many applications) . you'll just have to stick with it.
In my experience, apply for other things, even if you are in the selection process for another job.

NB***
Don't apply for the same position with another agency. It could reflect badly on you if both applications go through to a potential employer.

mrpink6789

I'm an IT Recruiter and won't rule out potential candidates because of gaps in the CV. I would definitely ask though why there was gaps and if they were legitimate reasons then i would put this in the cover note to the client.

However if you were moving away from IT doing temp work unfortunately it can set off some alarm bells, people will ask how come you were unable to get a job in your field etc.

It also depends on what type of job you are going for. A permanent role would be tough at interview because they will be worried you will head off after a few months to go traveling again.

As for the agency, unfortunately a lot of them don't keep in constant contact. they may have no feedback already but it would be common courtesy to give you a call to tell you this, otherwise you may not be qualified for the role and they have no tbothered to tell you. Either way just give them a call to find out what the update is.

Don't have your CV sent in though from another agency as it does look very bad on all parties involved.

chris85

mrpink6789 wrote: »

I'm an IT Recruiter and won't rule out potential candidates because of gaps in the CV. I would definitely ask though why there was gaps and if they were legitimate reasons then i would put this in the cover note to the client.

However if you were moving away from IT doing temp work unfortunately it can set off some alarm bells, people will ask how come you were unable to get a job in your field etc.

It also depends on what type of job you are going for. A permanent role would be tough at interview because they will be worried you will head off after a few months to go traveling again.

As for the agency, unfortunately a lot of them don't keep in constant contact. they may have no feedback already but it would be common courtesy to give you a call to tell you this, otherwise you may not be qualified for the role and they have no tbothered to tell you. Either way just give them a call to find out what the update is.

Don't have your CV sent in though from another agency as it does look very bad on all parties involved.

i would be more of the view that the travelling would look well as it shows the company that you have done the travelling and got it done. Play it up as a life experience and has made you more aware of other cultures and stuff like that. I have found that companies usually like to see the travelling has been done.

Mrpink i realise this may not be everyones view but it is my experience of it from previous interviews. My next employer who i am starting with next year has actually allowed a defferral of my start to go travelling as i stressed that i thought it would allow me to fully commit to the job when i return and they were very happy and contracts got signed and all.

Mrpink probably knows more about the gaps on the CV with him being a recruiter but i would be suprised that at the moment when unemployment is around us a lot of people are doing anything to pay the bills while looking for that permanent job. We gotta put food on the table. I would hate to think recruiters are ruling out people that could be perfect for the job based on a gap in the CV especially in this economic climate.

mrpink6789

chris85 wrote: »

i would be more of the view that the travelling would look well as it shows the company that you have done the travelling and got it done. Play it up as a life experience and has made you more aware of other cultures and stuff like that. I have found that companies usually like to see the travelling has been done.

Mrpink i realise this may not be everyones view but it is my experience of it from previous interviews. My next employer who i am starting with next year has actually allowed a defferral of my start to go travelling as i stressed that i thought it would allow me to fully commit to the job when i return and they were very happy and contracts got signed and all.

Mrpink probably knows more about the gaps on the CV with him being a recruiter but i would be suprised that at the moment when unemployment is around us a lot of people are doing anything to pay the bills while looking for that permanent job. We gotta put food on the table. I would hate to think recruiters are ruling out people that could be perfect for the job based on a gap in the CV especially in this economic climate.

my point about travel is if someone does a 3-6 month stint in a job then goes off for 2-3 months it can look bad, only if they do it 3-4 times in a row. of course if you are moving between jobs its always good to get a few weeks r&r in.

also you are right, we shouldnt be ruling out gaps because of unemployment. however i have sent in some canddiates with gaps in recent weeks and certain clients didnt like it. its just one of those 50/50 things sometimes. depends on what type of person is the recruiter and hiring manager.

chris85

mrpink6789 wrote: »

my point about travel is if someone does a 3-6 month stint in a job then goes off for 2-3 months it can look bad, only if they do it 3-4 times in a row. of course if you are moving between jobs its always good to get a few weeks r&r in.

also you are right, we shouldnt be ruling out gaps because of unemployment. however i have sent in some canddiates with gaps in recent weeks and certain clients didnt like it. its just one of those 50/50 things sometimes. depends on what type of person is the recruiter and hiring manager.

Thats fair enough, you are only sending in what the client wants and i agree that numerous stints of travelling for months without working can look bad. My travels have included working while there so suppose i wouldnt show a gap in the CV.

I always find it strange of some of the things that people hiring do when ruling out people. i got turned down for an interview with a company as i didnt graduate from UCD. I though this was bit stupid on te part of the company as they are ruling out so many people, even though i graduated at same level as the UCD students and with a first. Some people are just narrowminded like that.

mrpink6789

ha yes there are certain companies out there who like grads from certain colleges. One Stockbroking firm comes to mind who go out of their way to only get Trinners people in, pathetic.

ash2008

thanks for the replies. As long as they give me a chance to explain the gaps, then i think it'll be ok

Also i rang the agency, they said theyre still waiting for feedback, so i guess ill have to wait as well

Thanks again:pac: