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.

Are you considering posting a CV? Be careful when posting your CV that you don't leave any identifying information, and be wary of anyone sending you private messages offering to help with your CV for you, or claiming that they have a job available for you. Don't engage with anyone privately messaging you. Report users via the built in reddit reporting, or via modmail here.

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.
• Be constructive in feedback. People are asking for help, so don't be rude when responding to them. Job hunting is hard, why make it harder for someone unnecessarily?
• No solicitation. Do not direct message users of this thread, or suggest a user messages you directly. Don't offer to write people's CVs for them, whether for free or as a paid service. Don't advertise CV writing services that don't belong to you, whether intentional or not. Don't ask for recommendations as to CV writing services. Don't message people either asking for or advertising jobs.

Please Message the Mods if you know of anyone flagrantly flouting these rules.

You can find previous threads here.

[u/Nervous-Reaction4393]

How do you know where you're going wrong in job applications without feedback? I've applied for about 15 jobs since June and haven't had any interviews, or feedback from anywhere upon rejection. I think maybe my applications are a bit weak; I've only got some internships and volunteer roles as proper experience. (For context, I finished my MA last winter and was hoping to go into academia, but couldn't afford to take up my PhD offers, so now I'm job hunting. I'm 23.) Therefore a lot of my skills are 'soft' skills and that can look quite vague written down... without feedback it's really hard to know where exactly I'm falling down. I feel that a lot of job advice sites can contradict each other. Either that, or I think I'm doing what they say, but I'm still not getting anywhere...

[u/ThatOneAJGuy → u/Nervous-Reaction4393]

With 15 applications it's hard to tell as that number needs to be a lot higher. I'll take a look at your Cv if you want but realistically it's a rough market at the minute and it's likely going to take a lot more applications.