Applications with a Patchwork CV

Definition, Explanation

Tips, Checklist

Definition, Explanation

Due to fast global technological and social change and the conditions of working life resulting from that, fewer people dispose of that strict linear biography that was regarded as normal a few centuries ago. An unbroken and successive occupational biography from vocational training over years of employment – ideally in higher positions – to becoming a pensioner is now rather the exception. The "job for life" is available to fewer and fewer people.

The CVs arising because of this often remind you more of a colourful patchwork rug. The real reasons for such a patchwork CV differ from person to person and are diverse. Besides unemployment being one of the main causes, parental leave naturally does not play an insignificant role. Others go on leave in the form of "sabbaticals". Health reasons have maybe made it necessary to re-train. The first job choice made as a youth has proven to be wrong or some just love change and jump from one job to another, the so-called job-hopping.

Whatever the reasons are, on the part of the employer, such a patchwork CV meets a divided response depending on the industry, the position to be filled and the personality of the person making the decision about personnel. If one is met by – overproportionally in the "Old Economy" - prejudgements like: such an applicant does not have the staying power or is in total a "complicated personality", then others appreciate the diverse advantages of such a CV. The "patchworker" has often gathered a huge number of diverse soft skills in the course of his varied working life. He/she can come up with experience abroad and over-average language skills or has other additional qualifications.

The art of an application is – even more than an unbroken biography – in the positive, honest and offensive marketing of already unchangeable situation. Those responsible for personnel complain that applicants much too often try to put a new and supposedly more positive complexion on their own biography by adding fictive jobs and traineeships or by stretching periods. The smoothening of rugged edges and cleverly filling unpleasant gaps is allowed and is recommended in moderation. Not, however, the making up of an instable and daring tissue of lies that do not stand up to the strain of a real interview.

Tips, Checklist

Always be honest. Be self-confident. Avoid cheap retouching tricks that cause distrust. In the end, it will be turned against you. As a rule, personnel managers are experienced in judging what is a lie and what is the truth. When looking through the certificates or if these are even missing, it will all come to light then at the latest
List the beginning and ending of employment with the concrete months. Thus: May 2003 – Jul 2006 instead of only 2003 – 2006
Draw up a personal balance of activities within your present working life, which you can add to your application as a third page. Here you can address issues that are neither in your cover letter nor in your CV
Make gaps in your CV transparent. Don not simply write "no job" or "job-seeking" without any further explanation. Instead of that, list exactly what you did during this time and what would be helpful for the vacant job. Attending adult evening classes or obtaining certain social competences are two examples. And another consequences: make the most of periods of unemployment, if possible, to the same effect
List any stays abroad and gained competences like foreign languages, integration ability and intercultural competence
Avoid the unnecessary emphasizing of smaller gaps in your application. In the case of larger gaps, you should, however, address these in your cover letter in an offensive and explanatory way
Consider to what extent an application abroad is sensible. In the USA, for example, a patchwork biography is regarded much ore positively than in conservative Germany

Last update: 09/18/2009

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