Relaunch Your Career

A number of respected career coaches are adamant that cover letters are not necessary in the modern recruitment world. Notably, career coach Phil Rosenberg, President of US-based consultancy ReCareered, carried out extensive research with hiring managers and directors, almost all of whom say they don’t read – and often don’t receive – cover letters. So, are they a good or a bad idea?

Question: I have been chasing a relatively senior role with a major blue-chip company since November. I’ve had three interviews – two in person and one by phone – and still have not seen the hiring director. Now the recruiter has called to say they want me to complete a psychometric profile. I feel as though I’m being made to jump through hoops. How can I bring this to a conclusion in my favour?

Question: Every year, I make New Year’s resolutions with every intention of keeping them, only to break them within a couple of weeks. I don’t seem to have any willpower! I work hard to achieve all kinds of things in my work life, so why can’t I do the same for personal goals?

Question: I’ve just completed a mock interview and the biggest piece of feedback was something I already knew. I can’t answer a question without loading it with so much detail that the interviewer loses interest. I even write in that level of detail when I’m doing interview prep – pages and pages of it. I know my subject and I don’t suffer with nerves. How can I train myself to be more succinct?

Question: I am a seven-year software development engineer and I’ve been out of work for a few weeks now. I love my work, and I have always been able to talk about it confidently, and develop on the hoof. A recruiter called me this morning to talk about an opportunity – luckily not a job that really suited – but I found myself tongue-tied because I couldn’t remember some of the most basic vocabulary from my industry. What’s happening?! Am I losing it?! And what can I do to stop it getting any worse?

Question: I’ve been for several interviews but I haven’t been successful yet. I always ask for feedback, but most interviewers either never respond or give feedback that’s very vague and not much use. How can I get really useful, constructive feedback?

Question: I can’t get interviews (and if I get the interview then I don’t get the job) because I don’t have any experience. How can I break this cycle and show what I am capable of?

Question: How many years past experience is necessary on a CV? If you have multiple industry experience how would you tailor your CV taking into consideration some of it might be years ago?

Question: I worked for ten years for the same technology company, and following redundancy, I put my CV together and sent it to recruiters. They haven’t seemed very impressed, and I haven’t had much interest. One recruiter says that she can’t work out what I’ve done, and that some of the job titles I’ve had are so technical it’s impossible to see my level of responsibility. I don’t want to tell lies on my CV. What should I do?

Question: I’m leaving my current organisation to take up a new job, and before I go I want to ask a director I’ve always admired if she will mentor me. I’m hesitant to do so, because I know she’s really busy, although we get on very well. How can I present this as an attractive idea rather than a burden?