References for CV

RE: References for CV

Luca Poddighe — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 16:01:37 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]

Did you get the job?

[/quote]

I didn't bother to ring them back to ask because they didn't impress me.

RE: References for CV

Wren — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 15:03:08 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]Jeepers.[/quote]

Well, to be honest they did me a favour asking that! I declined the job (and that definitely influenced my decision) and from what I have heard it was a lucky escape.

RE: References for CV

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 12:39:47 GMT

[quote user="Wren"]

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]Yeah..... more than once I had "Oh, haven't you brought your wife with you? We like to interview the wife too". [/quote]

I was asked to bring my husband to a second interview. This was in 2010!!

[/quote]

Jeepers.

Did they remind him he shouldn't be looking for a part-time job because his place would be at home getting your lunch ready?

RE: References for CV

Wren — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 08:45:38 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]Yeah..... more than once I had "Oh, haven't you brought your wife with you? We like to interview the wife too". [/quote]

I was asked to bring my husband to a second interview. This was in 2010!!

RE: References for CV

Clive Ansell — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 17:34:25 GMT

[quote user="Luca Poddighe"]Well, once I was asked at an interview what was my father's job and I unpolitely replied to a question with another one:"are going to employ me or my father?"[/quote]

Did you get the job?

RE: References for CV

Luca Poddighe — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 16:47:51 GMT

Well, once I was asked at an interview what was my father's job and I unpolitely replied to a question with another one:"are going to employ me or my father?"

RE: References for CV

J G Wray — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 16:23:59 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

A wife was a useful 'bonus' in the days when someone had to man the phones when you were out on a visit!

Used to get an allowance as well for doing the phones. Those were the pager days before mobile phones!

[/quote]

Ah, the Good Old Days. Then there was the era of the CV and now.............

Before we recruited our last fee earner, i.e. MRCVS we asked the staff what attributes they most wanted to see in the applicants.

In order

1. Delivering Results - no fannying around, getting the job done and contributing

2. Working Together - team player

3. Coping with Pressure - no snowflakes

4. Building relationships - prepared to enjoy the patients and care for the owners and colleagues. No mood hoovers.

5. Creating Ideas - active not passive

6. Communicating Information - prepared to explain and educate clients and colleagues

7. Influencing People - being a professional.

Our application form and interviews were built around these

RE: References for CV

Bob Russell — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 15:02:57 GMT

A wife was a useful 'bonus' in the days when someone had to man the phones when you were out on a visit!

Used to get an allowance as well for doing the phones. Those were the pager days before mobile phones!

RE: References for CV

Neil Wheadon — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 13:42:51 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="Liz w"]i once had an interview where the interviewers were really annoyed about candidates asking about holidays as " being a vet is a way of life, why do people need to know about holidays"[/quote]

Yeah..... more than once I had "Oh, haven't you brought your wife with you? We like to interview the wife too".

[/quote]

Might go a little way to explain shortages of vets/drop out rates etc

Neil

RE: References for CV

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 13:22:56 GMT

Yeah..... more than once I had "Oh, haven't you brought your wife with you? We like to interview the wife too".

RE: References for CV

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 13:16:40 GMT

[quote user="Braden Collins"]

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="Braden Collins"]I also find it really good to talk to the nurse or receptionist that answers the phone. Just a quick "X has applied for a job here, what's he/she like to work with". [/quote]

I'm sorry, I think that's really bad.

[/quote]

It may be a bit cheeky, but we are very concerned with the team environment. If someone is going to come in and ruffle feathers, they are not who we are after. We've had staff come in and cause all sorts of issues before, so we are very keen to avoid that again in the future.

Remember, we're only doing this once they have done well in an interview and are in the final stages of being employed.

[/quote]

My mother, who had enormous experience as secretary, receptionist, PA and general factotum was well acquainted with people occasionally trying this on. In those days it was known as "trying to pump the secretary". The only correct answer from a professional nurse or receptionist would be a polite brush-off.

RE: References for CV

Clive Ansell — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 11:53:41 GMT

[quote user="KathW"]Thats what I thought - so although you can state what you feel you are worth to a new practice (and why) there's no point in inflating your present salary.[/quote]

I would sincerely hope that a professional colleague would not lie/embellish/exaggerate/inflate (take you pick) their current salary during an interview.

RE: References for CV

Utlendigur — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 11:43:33 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]Its a long time since I had a P45, and I can't remember whether it just lists total earnings, or if there is a breakdown; salary, car use, accommodation allowance etc?[/quote]

Just total pay and tax as far as I can see.

RE: References for CV

Clive Ansell — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 11:40:19 GMT

Its a long time since I had a P45, and I can't remember whether it just lists total earnings, or if there is a breakdown; salary, car use, accommodation allowance etc?

RE: References for CV

KathW — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 11:29:52 GMT

Thats what I thought - so although you can state what you feel you are worth to a new practice (and why) there's no point in inflating your present salary.

RE: References for CV

Clive Ansell — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 10:43:16 GMT

[quote user="KathW"]Once you accept and start a new position does you new employer then get any information (from Inland Revenue) that tells them what your previous salary was?[/quote]

I think it would be on your P45 ?

RE: References for CV

KathW — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 10:07:26 GMT

Once you accept and start a new position does you new employer then get any information (from Inland Revenue) that tells them what your previous salary was?

RE: References for CV

J G Wray — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 10:02:54 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

I'm sorry, I think that's really bad.

[/quote]

We also check Social media profile and small matters like being on the RCVS Register, which can yield surprising results. We equate this stuff to due diligence

RE: References for CV

Liz w — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 07:28:45 GMT

[quote user="Nicola M"]

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]

[/quote]

If they are really not getting on to the topic then I would bring it up but I've certainly not been to an interview where pay information hasn't been volunteered, along with info on working hours, holiday, CPD allowance, whether they offer/you need accommodation etc.

[/quote]

i once had an interview where the interviewers were really annoyed about candidates asking about holidays as " being a vet is a way of life, why do people need to know about holidays"

RE: References for CV

Braden Collins — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 01:06:05 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

I'm sorry, I think that's really bad.

[/quote]

Remember, we're only doing this once they have done well in an interview and are in the final stages of being employed.

RE: References for CV

Nicola Cole — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 20:21:44 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]

- Pay - I know it is a very difficult area but I don't want to waste either sides time if they are not in the same ball-park as me in this regard. But when do I bring it up? I don't want to be seen as only concerned about the salary but I am also not moving for less than currently getting (unless cut in hours etc).

[/quote]

Personally I wouldn't bring it up until the interviewer does-and they usually do towards the end of an interview. I think it's very important to get a feel for the practice, and for the practice to get a feel for you before pay is discussed-that way the interviewer can make a much more considered pay offer and the interviewee has information to base a response on.

edited to add: and remember pay is almost always negotiable. If you like the practice but you think they're not hitting what you would expect from a pay point of view you can, delicately, say that you are interested in the position but are concerned about the pay structure because X, y and z. Then you can explain what you offer over the 'average' person. Or you can agree a review after X months and if your turnover is X you agree a pay rise etc.

RE: References for CV

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 16:09:24 GMT

I'm sorry, I think that's really bad.

RE: References for CV

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 16:07:02 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

I've never heard of this and am struggling to find any evidence of it - do you have a reference Evelyn?

I have found that you are entitled to some time off for job hunting DURING your notice period

[/quote]

Yes, during your notice period, of course. If you haven't given notice your employer doesn't know you're leaving.......

RE: References for CV

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 13:45:48 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]Evelyn, I did not realise that my employer is legally obliged to give reasonable time off to look for new employment! That'll please them![/quote]

I've never heard of this and am struggling to find any evidence of it - do you have a reference Evelyn?

I have found that you are entitled to some time off for job hunting DURING your notice period or if you are made redundant. The employer doesn't have to pay you your full salary though, and they would obviously already know about your intention to leave.

RE: References for CV

An On MRCVS — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 13:34:38 GMT

Wow, some great information. Thank you very much all of you! I've got a few answers and more questions...

- current management = vets = employer... they are all one of the same like most non-corporate veterinary practices. I would love to have a HR contact in the practice as a lot of the current "issues" need not be "issues" at all if someone understood employment law etc!

- I'm not in a hurry as this move as to the right one so I'll use half days for close ones and book holiday for further ones. Evelyn, I did not realise that my employer is legally obliged to give reasonable time off to look for new employment! That'll please them!

- Writing my CV has crystallised both what I want from a job and what I can offer. Wow - I didn't realise I had so many responsibilities and skills until I wrote them down. Even my Mum was impressed and vet Mums are hard work!

- Arlo, what I am looking for in a job description is three-fold

1. what is the practice like? The ethos, vision for the future, management structure...

2. What role are filling in the vacancy? Is it flexible or looking for specific skills. 'Desirable attributes' is how J G Wray phrased it.

3. Package - OOH rota, holidays, hours etc.