Do Recruiters/Employers....

ABajaninCork

...Bin CV's if they see that the applicant has been out of work more than 18 months?

Just saw a similar comment on another thread from a so-called recruiter and wanted to put the question out there.

Honest answers only please!:p

smileyj1987

Not true I had a friend secure a job with Aldi and he was out of work for over years . The only CV's that are binned in my experience would be someone applying for a job and having no experience or any experience to say they could do the job .

whatnext

ABajaninCork wrote: »

...Bin CV's if they see that the applicant has been out of work more than 18 months?

Just saw a similar comment on another thread from a so-called recruiter and wanted to put the question out there.

Honest answers only please!:p

I would like to ask the so-called poster above what the difference between a "so-called recruiter" and a recruiter is?

But the answer is no, if a client is prepared to pay a fee and the candidates skills are good for a requirement why bin the cv? That would be like burning money.

ABajaninCork

whatnext wrote: »

I would like to ask the so-called poster above what the difference between a "so-called recruiter" and a recruiter is?

But the answer is no, if a client is prepared to pay a fee and the candidates skills are good for a requirement why bin the cv? That would be like burning money.

I am the 'so-called' poster...

The 'so-called' recruiter was a contributor on another thread as I said. They made the comment, and it made me think. I personally would agree with you, but wanted to out the question out there. I trust there is not a problem with this?

TommiesTank

It isn't as cut and dry as saying no, it depends on the industry ad level of experience etc.

If you showed me an experienced java developer who was looking for a job for 18 months I'd certainly have concerns.

ABajaninCork

Yes. As I understand it, the IT industry is crying out for suitably qualified people. Same with language jobs. But I suppose it would also depend on the reasons given for the gap. For example, the applicant could've gone travelling, or taken a career break to spend time with a baby or taken time out to care for sick relatives. The possibilities are endless.

TommiesTank

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Yes. As I understand it, the IT industry is crying out for suitably qualified people. Same with language jobs. But I suppose it would also depend on the reasons given for the gap. For example, the applicant could've gone travelling, or taken a career break to spend time with a baby or taken time out to care for sick relatives. The possibilities are endless.

I specifically mean someone who has actively been looking for a job (which may not be obvious from the CV), and as you say, certain IT type roles are in demand, so context is important.

ABajaninCork

TommiesTank wrote: »

I specifically mean someone who has actively been looking for a job (which may not be obvious from the CV), and as you say, certain IT type roles are in demand, so context is important.

Oh yes, I understood what you meant the first time. I just went off at a tangent, adding other possibilities to the mix...

MouseTail

18 months is long term unemployed on the way to being structurally unemployed. If there was nothing on the CV in those 18 months, volunteering, travelling, up/cross-skilling etc, it would raise concerns and certainly go beneath those with bang up to date skills and live networks.

For lower skilled work, jobsplus may make a difference, and actually make the candidate more attractive than those currently in employment.

SCOOP 64

MouseTail wrote: »

18 months is long term unemployed on the way to being structurally unemployed. If there was nothing on the CV in those 18 months, volunteering, travelling, up/cross-skilling etc, it would raise concerns and certainly go beneath those with bang up to date skills and live networks.

For lower skilled work, jobsplus may make a difference, and actually make the candidate more attractive than those currently in employment.

Agreed with this, but like most incentives most employees are unaware and never heard of jobplus, should a link be added to the CV for the jobplus site?

tatli_lokma

I temped in a recruitment agency for a while. A new branch manager started and did an audit on the incoming CVs and what was filed and for how long - they were supposed to assess each CV and either tell the applicant that they were suitable for being put forward, suitable but no roles at the moment and so would go on file, or give a polite rejection.

I can tell you that after the audit it became apparent that the vast majority of CVs which should have been filed were in fact filed under B for bin. The applicant was under the impression that they were in a database and just waiting for a suitable role for them. In reality, they were not even in the running. And in many of the cases, the applicant had good skills and there were relevant positions they could have been put forward for, the agents just couldn't be bothered with the paperwork of adding them.

And this was during the boom years when there were plenty of jobs. So, whilst I have no proof, I would say that it is highly likely that recruiters use their own selection criteria to cull CV's. Especially now when the volume of CVs going to recruiters is higher than it has ever been. I wouldn't say its black and white, but I would say it happens.

For that reason, I would imagine that if you have been out of work for 18 months you need to make sure that you address this in your cover letter so as not to risk being dismissed outright without good cause.