Reffel applied for 100 jobs and only got "no" for an answer

Yesterday, just after I had published my last post on CV's, I came across the newspaper about Reffel Delemi who is educated ingenieer and master in "project-communication." She searched 100 jobs without acceptance and worked in kindergarden and as a receptionist. She says she may think some of it is due to being blond and not taken seriously enough, while the rest of the reason her foreign name.

Adding a picture to her CV may decrease sceptism due to her foreign name- giving employers a face to the CV, but as my career councler said, "you might not be hired because employers simply get a false impression of who you are based on a picture."

The foreign name doesn't really surprise me, I do get the impression that some employers may be more sceptical to a foreign name. When applying for jobs myself, a friend suggested I change my name. It is easy to tell Reffel to colour her hair dark and change her name, but its sad that it may be the reason she is getting "no." But with that said, I refuse to believe it is the complete reason that she is not getting a job. Perhaps the best thing when applying for a job is to hand the CV in person?

Although, I do not doubt those two factors play a role in her not getting a job, I am convinced if she gets an interview then her looks or her name cannot be the entire reason she is not getting any jobs. But ofcouse I may be wrong!

Regardless, I just looked in the paper and it looks like she is getting tons of job offers now. Good way to start the new year.

The picture I have is from Vg.no

What is the perfect CV like?

I am just about to run out of the house for a meeting, but quickly writing a little blog post cause its a little while since my last post now.
Yesterday I spent a lot of the day rewriting my CV. I think I have 5 different looking Cv’s now. I have no idea what is more effective or which one to use. Some people tell me personalize it; ”put picture, interest, hobbies, other skills in there. Spice it up!”They tell me that the employer wants to know who you are as a person. They also tell me that I in particular should make it personalized since I have a foreign name in Norway.

And then the others say, ”take out the picture, don’t add your gender, your birthdate, your interests or hobbies.” The arguement here was that your employer does not care about your gender, your hobbies or whatver because they are looking solely for your skills. Keeping it corporate and professional.

Then there is the length! I was told to shorten my 4 page CV to one page, which I did so painfully yesterday. I have seen many lengths, but in Norway I have come across few CV’s that are only one page. So what does your CV look like? What do you think is the most successful CV? Keep it short or long? Personalize or do not? Looking forward to hearing what you guys think. I have run out now :--)