As a result, I have a few gaps in my CV that I am finding a little hard to explain and I am struggling to get to the interview stage of most of the jobs I am applying for. Is this because we are in a recession, or is it because my CV leaves something to be desired? What can I do to make sure I get an interview before the last of my redundancy money runs out?
A: Is it a recession? The best definition of a recession I have heard is that it's a recession if your friend or colleague loses his job, but a depression if you lose your job.
Unfortunately, the next 12 months are going to be a little rocky for many of us.
I am sorry to hear that you are struggling to find a job, but with companies cutting costs, further headcount reductions will not be uncommon.
Therefore, you are going to have to make sure that your CV gets noticed in order to get to the interview stage.
The previous time I covered CVs in this column, I made the mistake of mentioning that there is no problem filling in the gaps with a bit of travelling, and suggested that there is nothing wrong with saying that you spent one summer on the beach in Malibu working as a lifeguard.
Now, every CV I receive mentions that the candidate was a lifeguard in Malibu.
And, more to the point, no future employer is ever going to believe that I used to be a Baywatch Babe.
With more people chasing far fewer jobs, I now recommend that every CV you send out is bespoke to the job you are applying for.
Keep it short and use the first page to describe your recent experience and your career achievements that are relevant to the role you are applying for.
Next, add bullet points of your previous employment history.
Use your time off work wisely and check which courses are available that might help add to your current skill sets.
Make sure they are short-term or evening courses, so you can still complete the training if you get a job offer.
Of course, the real reason for doing further training is to add it to your CV. I would also recommend contacting our industry charity NABS.
Not only can NABS offer one-to-one advice, but it might also be able to help support you financially through this difficult time.
David Emin is director of advertising at Mirror Group Newspapers. Send your dilemmas to david.emin@haymarket.com.