You make such an important point. Our societies don't value what's most valuable about us. Thanks, Catriona, and I hope you find a job where you're truly appreciated. I'm still friends with some of my old bosses, since I was appreciated for some of those qualities that can't be quantified on a resume.
Hi Diana, thank you for this and sorry for taking ages for replying. I moved out my flat in Dubai and now back in Scotland, and despite writing a lot about travel I am terrible at focusing on the move. I like how you put it that some of these skills actually can't be quantified by the captalist systems tools and methods. And as you say, our societies often don't value what is most valuable about us and that is our work to reframe and find value. I agree - I think we need different ways to evaluate and value those parts of ourselves.
Thanks, Catriona. I'm just reading Robin Wall Kimmerer's book, The Serviceberry, and the theme feels quite similar, talking about how gift economies encourage a sense of connection and belonging, and increase the care we give the gifts we give and receive. Best of luck with the rest of your move -- such a big job!
Write that CV - if only for yourself! We all have so many qualities not valued by an HR proforma. Making people laugh, feel seen, try something new. Noticing lack, adding colour...
Hi Lisa - thanks for this - yes HR makes us see ourselves through warped forms, even when they try to be more inclusive and encourage broader skills. Despite being one of the most involved members of my previous organisation - I taught free yoga at work, was part of a few people in a company sports team which competed in a Dubai intercompany games and did other things like bring presents from home or create team creative or social sessions - I was still selected to be let go. After that, I reflected a lot on the fact that in other workplaces I would have been a model employee - as I was really involved - but in this workplace those activities were almost seen as loyalty to something other than the work itself. I think companies say they value these broader team skills but the overall culture still shapes how decisions are made and these things then get cast aside. In short - I agree - we need to find ways to value this in ourselves.
Job hunting is tough. Too often, candidates are met with silence, automated replies, or disregard. It hurts.
AI screening systems leave little room for atypical profiles or for showing your true value beyond the lines of a CV.
I truly hope that in the future, hobbies, creativity, and soft skills will be recognized and valued more—and that genuine human connection with recruiters will be possible again.
Thank you Emanuela and sorry for my slow reply - as moving countries has made it a bit tricky to be present online!
I agree and keep trying to think about what that world would look like where we could talk freely about our hobbies and creativity without worrying about it looking less professional or that we should only show our professional selves, I think our lives and work would be so much richer.
I really like writing here as I feel I can reflect with a broader lens on things from my work life, but I do worry how it might look in my professional life and I also find it weird that the world of business wouldn't see value in these thoughts - but my experience is you do need to be careful still in that space and that probably limits our creativity and ideation as a society. Thank you for luck in the search.
Still ploughing on and honestly trying to find what really might inspire me and feel fulfilling to commit time and energy to next.
I know the frustrations of looking for jobs. I'm facing it now, though I'm only looking sporadically, and I'm limiting myself to offline jobs in Vienna, which as a non-German speaker is tough. But I've applied for a few jobs I'd appear to be overly qualified for, only to not even get so much as an acknowledgement of my application. I think at this stage even a rejection email would be welcome!
After two decades of teaching English, my skill set is limited. But I remember my job hunting experience back in 2008, right after the financial crisis - great timing, right? I thought I was done teaching English after 3 years and was looking for different types of jobs. I had experience with international development, finance and management training, so a sort of diverse skill set. But recruiters looked at me CV and said my experience was 'all over the place' and they meant that literally and figuratively. They couldn't pin me down and they never meant this as a compliment, where as I prided myself on being well-rounded and versatile (somewhat).
Even now, some of my strengths just don't show up on CVs, covering letters or even to an extent in interviews. I'm very much a jack of all trades, master of none, which is great for sharing life experience and valuable lessons with my students which they love and cherish so much (it seems), but doesn't exactly help me land jobs.
Hi Daniel, thanks for this note and sorry for my delayed response as I work out my move from Dubai. I agree it is strange being a generalist - and its often that sort of experience that - like you say - students or others enjoy learning from - yet in the professional world it is often hard to quantify or sell. I read a story of a girl on linkedin recently who had spent 6 months applying to 1200 jobs, getting ghosted, ignored, given all sorts of weird rejections and finally she got a job - so I guess there is hope for us job seekers - but not sure i have that sort of energy after already working for 20 years :D
As someone who has spent most of her life as an artist of one kind or another and a caregiver of one kind or another, this post made me cry a little in recognition of the ways I've internalized the messages that who I am is somehow not worthy. I will be sitting down today in a coffeehouse to write out my new CV. I will share it on my own Substack, with you, and with anyone who is looking for a "qualified candidate." THANK you for such beautiful inspiration!
This is so beautiful Holly. Thank you for taking the time to share - I love this new CV - please do tag me or feel free to DM me and share. I would so love to read it and see your reframe. Art and caregiving are such important overlooked skills in our world - unless we become a big name artist, all the intention and care that goes into creating seems to get completely overlooked.
This is a beautiful post Catriona. And yes, so much is not there on the CVs. I am currently doing a lot of pro-bono coaching for people in international development who have been laid of due to recent USAID cuts and other, mostly structural, reasons. One person said yesterday that they feel like they are sending their applications into the void- and this is a person who has had some interviews, whereas there are also people who applied for dozens of things and never heard back. It is gut wrenching if that is one's only point of reference.
But each of these people is a human that is so much more than just the points on the CV. I love what one of the comments here says: write this other version of the CV that shows all your hidden strengths and skills. Your eye for finding beauty in the most unusual places being just one of many.
Thank you for your comment Lisa and also for your wise experience coaching others in this area. As you said, we are all humans and it is more than what fits on a CV. I used to be so proud of my CV when I was younger, now I see it more as a small thing which is less important in the grand scheme of things. i read the other day of one girl who had applied to over 1200 jobs before landing one - it seems the job market is so weird right now - I related to her experience and that of your clients - of being ghosted or never even hearing a reply or creating resources for free to be told another candidate has a job or even being offered work as a freelancer to be continually ignored once I have signed a freelance contract. It is a weird world right now - everyone seems kind of annoymous and I think its hard to bring the humanity back in.
Catriona, thanks for finishing writing this. It lands just when I'm in the middle of an interview (written) and was feeling rather intimidated by so many highly accomplished women in previous women who have done all sort of amazing things in the corporate world. That world is completely foreign to me; all I know of it is what my husband told me during his career that finished when he retired as General Counsel to a big luxury corporation.
It was never a world that attracted me; I've always been the creative, slightly loopy one in our couple, which is why we work so well together after so many years.
Anyway, I spent a while thinking about what on earth I could write about myself. And it turned out there was plenty! As in, far too much! I felt quite proud of myself afterwards, it was something of an eye opener, and a great exercise. A CV, in a way.
Hi Francesca, thank you for sharing this. This is amazing and I love that you found a whole lot of inspiration from your own unconventional experience. The corporate world has us only seeing things one way and from reading your writing it seems like you have a whole lot to share and be proud of from your interesting life experiences!
You make such an important point. Our societies don't value what's most valuable about us. Thanks, Catriona, and I hope you find a job where you're truly appreciated. I'm still friends with some of my old bosses, since I was appreciated for some of those qualities that can't be quantified on a resume.
Hi Diana, thank you for this and sorry for taking ages for replying. I moved out my flat in Dubai and now back in Scotland, and despite writing a lot about travel I am terrible at focusing on the move. I like how you put it that some of these skills actually can't be quantified by the captalist systems tools and methods. And as you say, our societies often don't value what is most valuable about us and that is our work to reframe and find value. I agree - I think we need different ways to evaluate and value those parts of ourselves.
Thanks, Catriona. I'm just reading Robin Wall Kimmerer's book, The Serviceberry, and the theme feels quite similar, talking about how gift economies encourage a sense of connection and belonging, and increase the care we give the gifts we give and receive. Best of luck with the rest of your move -- such a big job!
Write that CV - if only for yourself! We all have so many qualities not valued by an HR proforma. Making people laugh, feel seen, try something new. Noticing lack, adding colour...
I was going to say the same thing - write it for you, and whether or not it later translates into something you share, embrace the value it showcases!
Thanks Lauren - yes it would be an interesting thing to shape!
Hi Lisa - thanks for this - yes HR makes us see ourselves through warped forms, even when they try to be more inclusive and encourage broader skills. Despite being one of the most involved members of my previous organisation - I taught free yoga at work, was part of a few people in a company sports team which competed in a Dubai intercompany games and did other things like bring presents from home or create team creative or social sessions - I was still selected to be let go. After that, I reflected a lot on the fact that in other workplaces I would have been a model employee - as I was really involved - but in this workplace those activities were almost seen as loyalty to something other than the work itself. I think companies say they value these broader team skills but the overall culture still shapes how decisions are made and these things then get cast aside. In short - I agree - we need to find ways to value this in ourselves.
Job hunting is tough. Too often, candidates are met with silence, automated replies, or disregard. It hurts.
AI screening systems leave little room for atypical profiles or for showing your true value beyond the lines of a CV.
I truly hope that in the future, hobbies, creativity, and soft skills will be recognized and valued more—and that genuine human connection with recruiters will be possible again.
Wishing you the best of luck in your search!
Thank you Emanuela and sorry for my slow reply - as moving countries has made it a bit tricky to be present online!
I agree and keep trying to think about what that world would look like where we could talk freely about our hobbies and creativity without worrying about it looking less professional or that we should only show our professional selves, I think our lives and work would be so much richer.
I really like writing here as I feel I can reflect with a broader lens on things from my work life, but I do worry how it might look in my professional life and I also find it weird that the world of business wouldn't see value in these thoughts - but my experience is you do need to be careful still in that space and that probably limits our creativity and ideation as a society. Thank you for luck in the search.
Still ploughing on and honestly trying to find what really might inspire me and feel fulfilling to commit time and energy to next.
I know the frustrations of looking for jobs. I'm facing it now, though I'm only looking sporadically, and I'm limiting myself to offline jobs in Vienna, which as a non-German speaker is tough. But I've applied for a few jobs I'd appear to be overly qualified for, only to not even get so much as an acknowledgement of my application. I think at this stage even a rejection email would be welcome!
After two decades of teaching English, my skill set is limited. But I remember my job hunting experience back in 2008, right after the financial crisis - great timing, right? I thought I was done teaching English after 3 years and was looking for different types of jobs. I had experience with international development, finance and management training, so a sort of diverse skill set. But recruiters looked at me CV and said my experience was 'all over the place' and they meant that literally and figuratively. They couldn't pin me down and they never meant this as a compliment, where as I prided myself on being well-rounded and versatile (somewhat).
Even now, some of my strengths just don't show up on CVs, covering letters or even to an extent in interviews. I'm very much a jack of all trades, master of none, which is great for sharing life experience and valuable lessons with my students which they love and cherish so much (it seems), but doesn't exactly help me land jobs.
Best of luck in the job search 🙏
Hi Daniel, thanks for this note and sorry for my delayed response as I work out my move from Dubai. I agree it is strange being a generalist - and its often that sort of experience that - like you say - students or others enjoy learning from - yet in the professional world it is often hard to quantify or sell. I read a story of a girl on linkedin recently who had spent 6 months applying to 1200 jobs, getting ghosted, ignored, given all sorts of weird rejections and finally she got a job - so I guess there is hope for us job seekers - but not sure i have that sort of energy after already working for 20 years :D
As someone who has spent most of her life as an artist of one kind or another and a caregiver of one kind or another, this post made me cry a little in recognition of the ways I've internalized the messages that who I am is somehow not worthy. I will be sitting down today in a coffeehouse to write out my new CV. I will share it on my own Substack, with you, and with anyone who is looking for a "qualified candidate." THANK you for such beautiful inspiration!
This is so beautiful Holly. Thank you for taking the time to share - I love this new CV - please do tag me or feel free to DM me and share. I would so love to read it and see your reframe. Art and caregiving are such important overlooked skills in our world - unless we become a big name artist, all the intention and care that goes into creating seems to get completely overlooked.
This is a beautiful post Catriona. And yes, so much is not there on the CVs. I am currently doing a lot of pro-bono coaching for people in international development who have been laid of due to recent USAID cuts and other, mostly structural, reasons. One person said yesterday that they feel like they are sending their applications into the void- and this is a person who has had some interviews, whereas there are also people who applied for dozens of things and never heard back. It is gut wrenching if that is one's only point of reference.
But each of these people is a human that is so much more than just the points on the CV. I love what one of the comments here says: write this other version of the CV that shows all your hidden strengths and skills. Your eye for finding beauty in the most unusual places being just one of many.
Thank you for your comment Lisa and also for your wise experience coaching others in this area. As you said, we are all humans and it is more than what fits on a CV. I used to be so proud of my CV when I was younger, now I see it more as a small thing which is less important in the grand scheme of things. i read the other day of one girl who had applied to over 1200 jobs before landing one - it seems the job market is so weird right now - I related to her experience and that of your clients - of being ghosted or never even hearing a reply or creating resources for free to be told another candidate has a job or even being offered work as a freelancer to be continually ignored once I have signed a freelance contract. It is a weird world right now - everyone seems kind of annoymous and I think its hard to bring the humanity back in.
Catriona, thanks for finishing writing this. It lands just when I'm in the middle of an interview (written) and was feeling rather intimidated by so many highly accomplished women in previous women who have done all sort of amazing things in the corporate world. That world is completely foreign to me; all I know of it is what my husband told me during his career that finished when he retired as General Counsel to a big luxury corporation.
It was never a world that attracted me; I've always been the creative, slightly loopy one in our couple, which is why we work so well together after so many years.
Anyway, I spent a while thinking about what on earth I could write about myself. And it turned out there was plenty! As in, far too much! I felt quite proud of myself afterwards, it was something of an eye opener, and a great exercise. A CV, in a way.
Hi Francesca, thank you for sharing this. This is amazing and I love that you found a whole lot of inspiration from your own unconventional experience. The corporate world has us only seeing things one way and from reading your writing it seems like you have a whole lot to share and be proud of from your interesting life experiences!