I would say if you are going for a driving job you need to make more of that and less of your engineering skill, unless you are after a technical driving job. motorsport truckie or tyre technician maybe
Oops! I had spell checked it, but “posses” is a word too - thaks for spotting that.
The problem is, I have no experience other than as a car driver/motorcyclist… i.e. social, domestic, pleasure & commuting.
Short of “making up” experience, I can’t see what else I can put. This must be a fairly common problem with new drivers, I just wonder how others have tackled this issue■■?
Nezza:
Short of “making up” experience, I can’t see what else I can put. This must be a fairly common problem with new drivers, I just wonder how others have tackled this issue■■?
Hi Nezza,
It is very common amongst newly qualified LGV drivers, but a driver is a driver nevertheless, so I’d mention how long you’ve been driving whilst mentioning a lack of accidents and convictions if applicable, and the fact that you’ve driven ■■■ different types of vehicles for ■■ years. Another plus point could be whether you’ve driven vans, or been in the habit of driving any kind of vehicle as a job of work.
Hi Nezza, I come from more or less the same background as you and after being made redundant at 46 decided to come into this industry, its been a long and rocky road and quite a culture shock due to a totally different working environment but after 5 years at it I finally found myself a full time job 2 years ago and I do enjoy it
What I have found in this game that is different from engineering is that employers do not really ask for a CV, it is done mainly by application form so your past engineering experience means nothing to them so it is pointless going into to much detail for example of your CNC machining experience and enclosing a copy of your 16th edition wiring certificate.
What you need to do is to invent some driving experience (it is what I did) but do not go over the top and pick out a few big companies off the top of your head ie Tesco, Sainsburys etc and say you have done a few days here and there on agency for them
Best of luck
I’m no expert but from looking at your cv, the key skills section needs to be chopped down to no more than 6 bullet points and should all focus on just driving / map reading and multi drop skills etc I wouldnt even put down “recently qualified C driver” just put down you have C licence and dont put down the pass date. Let them ask themselves otherwise you wont even get a reply. Like others have said. Just invent some driving eperience, but dont go over the top.
dieseldave:
…It is very common amongst newly qualified LGV drivers…
It’s not only “newly qualified drivers” though. Since leaving the Army after nigh on 25 years nearly 3 yrs ago, I’ve discovered 5 different CV formats so far. Which format do these HR desk jockeys want? Some say “Army, too confident”, some say “not enough industry experience”. You can’t win!
dieseldave:
…It is very common amongst newly qualified LGV drivers…
It’s not only “newly qualified drivers” though. Since leaving the Army after nigh on 25 years nearly 3 yrs ago, I’ve discovered 5 different CV formats so far. Which format do these HR desk jockeys want? Some say “Army, too confident”, some say “not enough industry experience”. You can’t win!
Some ex Army drivers are the same as newly qualified ones, as you said they lack industry/real world experience.
I’ve seen some that make you think the Naffi give out licences with breakfast cereals and ones that do the job professionally and competently, but it’s the first category that get remembered by HR !!
dieseldave:
…It is very common amongst newly qualified LGV drivers…
It’s not only “newly qualified drivers” though. Since leaving the Army after nigh on 25 years nearly 3 yrs ago, I’ve discovered 5 different CV formats so far. Which format do these HR desk jockeys want? Some say “Army, too confident”, some say “not enough industry experience”. You can’t win!
Hi nickb67,
That’s a fair point mate!!
I think it’s a question of balance, or stating without over-stating.
I’m not sure whether you got the same opportunity as some of the ex-military guys that I know… They did their re-settlement courses and also some agency driving as part of the whole pre-release thing.
I hope you got that opportunity, because then you’ll have had some genuine civvy experience to put on your CV.
In your case at the present time, I’d briefly mention the Army, but make more of a description of the civvy experience you have so that the balance of your CV leans towards the civvy stuff that the HR dept is looking for.
Denis F:
…I’ve seen some that make you think the Naafi give out licences with breakfast cereals and ones that do the job professionally and competently, but it’s the first category that get remembered by HR !!
Indeed, there are some ex-mil who seem to have forgotten their self-discipline/moral qualities. Although I always keep in mind before judging somebody straight off what they might have experienced when they were in, especially given the goings on of the last few years or so. If they’re being a ■■■ just for the sake of it, then they’re fair game.
dieseldave:
I’m not sure whether you got the same opportunity as some of the ex-military guys that I know… They did their re-settlement courses and also some agency driving as part of the whole pre-release thing.
I hope you got that opportunity, because then you’ll have had some genuine civvy experience to put on your CV.
In your case at the present time, I’d briefly mention the Army, but make more of a description of the civvy experience you have so that the balance of your CV leans towards the civvy stuff that the HR dept is looking for.
Cheers dd. didn’t do much driving before I left. Resettlement was HIAB, ADR and wall/floor tiling .
Being more fortunate than the average JB (i.e. the pension), after 3 months of home improvements/on the ■■■■ I took on some part time work flitting between night trunking, building supplier HIAB & now LPG tankers. Cutting out the agency, permanent week on each followed by a week off would be ideal! I’m pretty happy with the current variety (could do without the agency taking their cut, naturally) though the same job day in day out would probably drive me nuts.
Anything I’ve learned about CVs hasn’t made much impact yet. Rehashed one recently and had it checked & OK’d by a hirer/firer I know socially. All I need now is the sense of humour toned down a bit! The old CV did get me the odd interview, just not as many as I would have liked.
Which format do these HR desk jockeys want? Some say “Army, too confident”, some say “not enough industry experience”. You can’t win!
.
The old CV did get me the odd interview, just not as many as I would have liked.