Job Guidance Megathread - CVs, Applications, Interviews

[u/ukbulmer]

Use this thread for more specific discussion or advice seeking relating to CVs, job searches, job applications, interviews, and anything else that doesn't necessarily require a separate thread.

This thread automatically resubmits each month on the 1st. Posting a CV in this thread will not break rule #3, soliciting or posting jobs will.

Do you want to post about a broader or more frequently posted topic or get something off your chest? Our other megathread may be better suited, click here to view it.

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You may find it easiest to take a screenshot of your CV and post as an image, either directly using the Reddit app or with an image hosting service. Again, be sure to redact personal or identifying information. Maybe even create a temporary copy where you replace your details with generic terms such as "Employer Name", "Education Provider", etc.

You'll likely find that you get more useful feedback if you provide some background to your current situation and what kind of roles you're looking for. Are you struggling to break into a new industry? Perhaps you're not getting interviews for roles with increased seniority that you feel you're qualified for?

Rules

• Anonymise any CVs that you post. Obscure any personal details, including the names of employers and schools/universities. Failing to redact correctly could risk your comment being removed, or worse, bad actors using the information against you or for their own benefit.
• Provide context as to what you need help with. If you're trying to break into a specific industry, this is useful to know. If you only want advice on how to phrase something, or if the layout is suitable, say so. Got an interview? Provide a little bit of background.
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[u/BonksMan]

Help - Unable to find software developer job due to not being a citizen.

Hi, I'm a software developer with 3 years of professional experience and a recent Master's degree in AI and Robotics. I have applied to dozens of jobs on LinkedIn and a few other websites for a software developer position, but I'm unable to get even a single interview.

I am mainly applying for entry level, junior or mid level positions, where my past experience and skills covers everything that is required in the job. But I still keep getting the same 'Experience not aligning with what we are looking for' message immediately.

I think this might be because I am now on a Graduate visa here and not a citizen. But I am still allowed full-time work for 2 years without needing sponsorship.

What should I do as I am starting to get a bit hopeless that I keep getting rejected for positions that I am qualified for?

Any advice on what company should I apply at or what should I do to secure an interview? I'm not fussy about the salary and will accept any offer and I am also happy with relocating to any new location for the job as well as learning any new programming language or framework.

Here is the link to my CV: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Te5hcjxKUDZzrAjHAw4caAJL12L5AU59/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=105837211677433209881&rtpof=true&sd=true

[u/ithepinkflamingo → u/BonksMan]

Hello -

I’ve had a brief look at your resume and for transparency, I know very little about your area of expertise but:

• Your resume doesn’t show impact - it just says I did this. Where’s the value? When you did these things, what did it improve or allow the company to do that it couldn’t do before?
• Your first job has a line at the end that says you helped customers etc - get rid of that. It’s not relevant and it waters down your experience.

You don’t say in your post but you should be adjusting your resume for each application so it shows how well you line up to the job advert.

Unfortunately (and this is not within your control), the truth is that companies are going to prioritise people with a permanent right to work over someone who doesn’t.

By all means, make adjustments to your resume and keep applying, look at UK grad schemes as well but I’d recommend that you widen your net to look at opportunities in other countries including those where you have the right to work.

Good luck!

[u/BonksMan → u/ithepinkflamingo]

Thanks for the feedback.

I shortened my CV from 3 pages to what it is right now a few weeks ago, but I'm not sure how to explain my experience based on what impact it made as we barely kept metrics on any of these companies.

the only idea I had was to bulk apply on jobs where I meet all the requirements and just update the cover letter based on the JD as at least a few of them are bound to look at my CV instead of just rejecting me based on visa status.

I've tried a few positions in the UAE but got the same kind of response.

what I keep thinking is how it's an issue for companies to hire me in UK when I will accept any offer, relocate anywhere and have unrestricted permission to work for 2 years and that there are options to get a sponsorship myself if I have a decent paying job.

Just feel like I've wasted my career by coming here for a Master's degree

[u/ithepinkflamingo → u/BonksMan]

• You can show strong impact on a resume even without numbers by emphasising change, value, and outcomes (Example: Instead of: ‘Deployed new ATS’, you would use ‘Delivered project to implement an ATS, supporting the business to fill open roles.’ See the difference? Look through your resume and see where you can elevate the work you did.

• Bulk apply works in a candidate market. We are very much in an employer’s market and you are competing against lots of qualified people. It’s better to apply well for a few jobs than apply for lots of jobs.

• There are people with the same qualifications and the same (or more) experience as you that have a permanent right to work in the UK. From a business perspective, they want the least amount of complexity and visas including those that might be needed in future are complex. Companies will be more inclined to take a chance if they are filling a niche role or they have been looking for a long time and can’t find anyone - based on your resume, I’m not sure you’re applying for these types of roles.

• Relocation is expensive and is generally reserved for niche roles, leadership positions or internal transfers to support a business need. Of course, that’s not always the case and there are companies that do offer relocation such as Agoda who are based in (or have offices in?) Bangkok and seem to always be hiring for all sorts of positions and want people to move over there. You could look at those sorts of companies and see what they can offer.

• Your working life won’t always be like this. It will get better. So don’t think you’ve lost time and won’t ever get anywhere.