Right here goes:
1. First of all, get a well written CV together.
Something like this but without all the unnecessary borders and pictures. Just nice, easy to read, text in Arial font. You CAN put a portrait shot on the CV but this can work for or against you depending on who sees the CV. Id leave it off.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/raiseyourgame/images/good_cv.pdf2. You are more likely to get work in an industry that you have a lot of experience in. If he has worked in retail for over 16 years, it would be fruitless and frustrating to decide that being a librarian or working in a mine would be a good choice. He will have the best chance of finding work in the retail sector. Start there.
3. When employers look for potential staff they want to see the following on the CV.
- Relevant experience. If your husband has 5 years of stacking shelves, 5 years of checkout and 5 years of line management experience, put the highest responsibility first like this:
___________________________
January 1st 1997 - Present
Megamart Ltd
October 2006 - Present
Staff Team Leader
During this position I was responsible for looking after blah blah blah.
July 2002 - October 2006
Senior Checkout Manager
Responsible for managing the checkouts, making sure that shoppers were being served quickly. I achieved this through communication with staff and being an approachable manager.
January 1997 - July 2002
Shop floor assistant
Duties included:
- Stacking Shelves
- Sweeping
- Assisting with customer enquiries
_____________
The other thing they are looking for is that you have worked for competitors. Now, I know Asda in particular use this to NOT hire staff, but some of the other supermarkets LOVE staff who have the same skills. So... If the job spec is:
Hypermart Ltd are seeking a Team Leader for their Birkenhead Branch. Must have:
- Experience of people management
- Experience of working within the bakery or chilled foods section
- Experience of dealing with customer complaints and queries
- A presentable appearance and friendly demeanour
Your CV needs to say:
October 2006 - Present
Staff Team Leader
During this position I was responsible for looking after 17 staff members such Checkout Assistants, cleaners and security staff. I have experience of working within the Bakery, Frozen Foods and home entertainment departments and feel comfortable in all areas of the store.
My past performance proves that I am comfortable in the role of manager and that I have expereince of dealing with difficult situations which arise from customers and staff disputes.
I am a keen cyclist / runner / walker (WHATEVER!!!) and look after myself.
_____________________
Right. So if the spec says you need experience of cleaning toilets and you have done it in the past, MAKE SURE ITS ON THE CV.
The purpose of your CV is to get an interview, nothing else.
You will need to tweak your CV depending on the role you are going for. If its more junior, play down the management experience, if its more senior talk more about the senior level roles.
Make sure you target roles that are relevant to what he has DONE, not what he is interested IN. This is a mistake many people make when applying for jobs.
I am very interested in computer programming and playing xbox. It doesnt mean I should apply for Lead Programmer at Microsoft. It would be like ice skating uphill.
As sad as it may sound, in this job market, noone is going to give you a chance in the hope that you MIGHT be able to do it. They want proof you can do it and that you have done it successfully.
Finally..... Apply, apply, apply.
Use the various jobs boards and upload your CV.
Totaljobs.com
Jobsite.co.uk
CVlibrary
Indeed
Depending on what level jobs he is going for, your local paper, other supermarket websites and dont forget the main one.
ASKING SOMEONE YOU KNOW!!! If you know ANYONE who works in a simiar place, ask them who the hiring manager is and go DIRECTLY to them with your CV. Either by email or phone or preferably face to face.
Finding a job isnt easy, but if you stick to common sense and keep your head up you will find work again quickly.
Dont rely on the jobcentre as their aim is to keep you on benefits so that they can move you onto training courses and fudge unemployment figures. Dont forget, if they get everyone off benefits then they would be out of work....
If he is proactive and likeable and confident, he wont be out of work very long. Once you start signing on, its a downward spiral and he will find himself getting depressed and doubting his worth. The job centre is a place of ruin, use as a last resort.
Last but not least, good luck. If you need interview advice further down the line, please feel free!
