Job Application/CV Help please?

[PolarSkye]

I am a highly-qualified marketing professional - I've run big marketing programmes for large, multinational IT companies for the past 15 or so years. I took a new job working for a services (still IT) company in January of this year. It pays well, but it's in central London (which means a very long commute each way) and I'm not too in love with IT services. Also, I'm not nuts about the culture of the company . . . so I'm looking for something else. I have found some very interesting prospects . . . but what on earth do I say when asked why I'm leaving after only 10 months?

P

 

[BonneMaman]

Just be honest - say the commute was too much. Also your home/work balance was not working.

Again, be honest, say you made a mistake - you thought it would be OK etc etc.

Do you have kids? Use them as an excuse or a sick aunt ;-))

 

[PolarSkye]

Just be honest - say the commute was too much. Also your home/work balance was not working.

Again, be honest, say you made a mistake - you thought it would be OK etc etc.

Do you have kids? Use them as an excuse or a sick aunt ;-))

I thought about this - but does it not make me look like a flake?

P

 

[Abacus]

Where do you live? There are plenty of similar companies outside of London (esp. M4 / M40 direction - I am in a similar role working with several).

I think if you don't have lots of short roles and many moves on your CV, it would be ok. 10 months indicates you have given it a go.

Be a little wary of saying too much about work/life balance, as this kind of company tends to think you are a slacker if you claim to have a personal life (and heaven forbid, horses!). Perhaps say that it wasn't the role you expected it to be and give a good reason (not enough challenge, you are used to being more autonomous, budgets have been cut - anything as long as it is convincing!).

Good luck.

 

[Miss L Toe]

I have to say that once you are established in an industry it is difficult to get out of it [IT is a bore], maybe you can get something which utilises your current skills but the company will give you a bit of leeway, you need only say something like the commute is too long, and maybe long term prospects are not what you hoped for when you went in to it[that is provided they are offering good prospects], or maybe a project you were working on is being curtailed due to budget cuts. concentrate on the positive things you have done since you went there, it is up to them to dig if they want to, obviously people don't apply for new jobs if they are currently in the perfect job, as I say just have a few phrases ready to us e if and when they ask, remember the tougher the interview the better the job, in most cases.
Not kids or sick aunties, as they don't want your baggage.
Most companies don't want complete honesty, they prefer people to put a spin on things, Tony Blair has done pretty well using that strategy, and it can work for you!

 

[PolarSkye]

Where do you live? There are plenty of similar companies outside of London (esp. M4 / M40 direction - I am in a similar role working with several).

I think if you don't have lots of short roles and many moves on your CV, it would be ok. 10 months indicates you have given it a go.

Be a little wary of saying too much about work/life balance, as this kind of company tends to think you are a slacker if you claim to have a personal life (and heaven forbid, horses!). Perhaps say that it wasn't the role you expected it to be and give a good reason (not enough challenge, you are used to being more autonomous, budgets have been cut - anything as long as it is convincing!).

Good luck.

I'm in east Berkshire so the M4 corridor is very doable. CV is pretty strong - before this job, I had four years at MSFT - Oracle for a good while before that, etc. - so not too much chopping and changing.

I agree with you on the work/life balance - companies like these expect blood sweat and tears . I like the "role wasn't what I expected" answer b/c it's partially true.

P

 

[PolarSkye]

I have to say that once you are established in an industry it is difficult to get out of it [IT is a bore], maybe you can get something which utilises your current skills but the company will give you a bit of leeway, you need only say something like the commute is too long, and maybe long term prospects are not what you hoped for when you went in to it, or maybe a prject you were working on is being curtailed due to budget cuts. concentrate on the positive things you have done since you went there, it is up to them to dig if they want to, obviously people don't apply for new jobs if they are currently in the perfect job, as I say just have a few phrases ready to us e if and when they ask, remember the tougher the interview the better the job, in most cases.
Not kids or sick aunties, as they don't want your baggage.
Most companies don't want honesty, they prefer people to put a spin on things, Tony Blair has done pretty well using that strategy, and it can work for you!

Ha! LOL on IT being a bore - amen to that. Would love to apply my skillset to something else . . . question is what?

Re spinning - well as marketing is pretty much spinning as a profession, you're probably right .

Thanks.

P