Breaking Through the Barriers: From Rejection to Results by Bridget Badoe-McQuick

"It is not the load that breaks you down, it is the way you carry it". Lena Horne

After leaving a full-time job in January to start my MA in Creative Practice, I thought finding a flexible, part-time role would be easy.

I have worked across various sectors for years as an employee, freelancer, contractor and agency worker, so switching jobs was something I had always done confidently. But this time was different.

Despite tweaking my CV using previous advice, the job market was tougher than expected. I was not getting interviews. My CV, which had always "done the job," suddenly felt like dead weight. I kept adjusting it based on generic tips, but nothing changed. No calls, no feedback, just silence. It was disheartening. I knew I had strong experience, but the rejection began to feel personal.

 The Turning Point: CV Overhaul

Everything shifted when I attended a job fair at Westfield Stratford and asked a recruiter for a CV review. She offered detailed, personalised feedback, including a video breakdown. Her insights showed me that while I had valuable experience, my CV was not telling the right story.

Encouraged, I asked friends who were successful in their job searches to share their CVs. That was when I decided to ditch my old format and start fresh. I created a combination CV that blended elements of both functional and chronological formats to highlight both my skills and work history.

As I had been skill-stacking even while employed, I created new targeted templates. One focused on the facilitation skills I had gained from volunteer work. I grouped experience by skill set and showcased transferable skills. The aim was to help the reader quickly see what I offered and how it aligned with their needs.

The Outcome: Breakthrough and Momentum

The results came quickly. I was shortlisted for two facilitation-based roles and landed both. One delivering school workshops, the other through an agency supporting students with Special Educational Needs., (SEN ).

I have also had more pre-screening calls and interviews lined up for several projects and customer-facing roles. Finally, momentum was building.

 It was not just about switching formats; it was about taking ownership of my story and presenting it in a way that aligned with what employers were looking for.

If you are experiencing a challenge with your CV, my three tips are:

• Get feedback: From a recruiter, career coach, or trusted peer. Ask for specific input on your CV such as language, format and content.

• Enhance your CV, do not recycle: If your CV is not landing interviews, consider what you can do differently to enhance it. As an example, instead of highlighting your tasks, focus on the impacts you have made using facts and figures.

• Be strategic: Tailor each CV to the role. Use keywords from the job description. Make it easy for recruiters to see the alignment.

Ready to enhance your CV? Start today, reach out for support and share your experience.