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Work coach suggests close-to-misleading CV

Airlane1979 — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 15:05:37 GMT

I've not worked since 2010 and have unspent convictions as a S.O. My Job Centre work coach has referred me to another coach in a charity that helps ex-offenders find work. He has changed my CV to remove all dates, so it now appears that I am still working in the job I left in 2010 when I was imprisoned. Should I go along with this? At some point in an application process I would have to disclose that I haven't worked in 15 years, and why that is, so it seems misleading if not fraudulent to present myself as currently employed.

RE: Work coach suggests close-to-misleading CV

Evan Davis — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 15:05:37 GMT

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[b]punter99 - 19 Jun 25 4:47 PM[/b]

Its not lying and its not fraud. The employer would probably ask about it at interview and you can tell them then.
If the employer has one job and 30 CVs to look at, then they will initially look to cut that number down to maybe 10, so they may adopt a very arbitrary approach to binning 20 of the CVs. Anyone who has not worked recently is already at a disadvantage, because employers prefer to hire those who are already in work. You have to maximise your chances of going through to the last 10.

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I'd echo the advice given here by [b]punter99[/b].

It is absolutely not lying or misleading to simply remove the dates from the jobs you've worked on your CV. As punter rightly says, presenting your CV is about "getting through the door". You need an opportunity to actually impress the interviewer and decision-makers, and quite simply, sending a CV that shows no work history for 10+ years is not going to get you through that pre-screen. Your application will be one of the first into the shredder and you'll be lucky to even receive a 'thank you' in reply.

Of course, you'll still need to disclose your conviction, and then possibly the fact that as a result you haven't worked for 15 or so years - but by this stage, you will have actually had an opportunity to see and speak to the person making the decision and if you are able to assure them that you're the best candidate for the job and that you would present no ongoing risks to the business, why wouldn't they hire you?

RE: Work coach suggests close-to-misleading CV

punter99 — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 16:47:31 GMT

RE: Work coach suggests close-to-misleading CV

Miguel — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:52:07 GMT

[quote]

[b]Airlane1979 - 18 Jun 25 8:33 AM[/b]

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As a former job advisor myself, I wouldn't go along. Lying on your CV is technically fraud. You could get the job and then have it terminated. I would simply refuse to accept this suggestion. Just be honest from the start and disclose all your gaps and why.

RE: Work coach suggests close-to-misleading CV

AB2014 — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:09:23 GMT

I think the main thing here is that you're not lying. You only have to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth if you're under oath in court. Also, don't worry about failing to mention something that you later rely on....

RE: Work coach suggests close-to-misleading CV

punter99 — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 10:48:07 GMT

[quote]

[b]Airlane1979 - 18 Jun 25 8:33 AM[/b]

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Removing the dates from a CV is really just to get your foot in the door. Making sure they do not bin the application at the initial stage. Standard advice for anyone who has not worked for a long time, regardless of the reasons.
Of course if you get further then you would have to explain it, but thats where you need advice on interviewing skills, which the charity or jobcentre should be able to help you with as well. If you can convince the interviewer that you have the skills they need, then they should consider you for the job. The biggest problem though is the unspent conviction. That is a whole different ballgame, but read the advice on Unlock, for how to approach this.