Getting the Most out of Your Application

Any tips for getting a CV past the AI bots which seem to be a common theme in a number of companies? 

Although we use AI technology in our recruitment system, we look through every CV! So, you can rest assured that a human is on the other side of your CV when you make an application to Vodafone. Our AI system will highlight good matches to our vacancies so below is a top tip when it comes to making your application stand out.  

The number one thing to consider is keyword optimisation. I’d highly recommend including relevant words from the job description to your CV, however, be mindful to only add keywords that match your skillset – don’t just add words for the sake of it if you don’t actually have the skill. It’s also worth mentioning that you should avoid keyword stuffing or hiding text within your CV just to get past the AI technology. 

Is it ok/appropriate to bring notes to an interview? 

In short, yes! An interview shouldn’t be a memory test so having notes in front of you is absolutely fine. It’s also very useful to have your CV and the job description in front of you when interviewing.  

Be mindful not to have a script though as this can sometimes make answers sound a bit robotic and overly rehearsed and can impact on your natural communication style. Keep your notes brief and just have them as a prompt to remind you of key accomplishments, your skills that best relate to the vacancy and any questions you have for the interviewing panel.  

What is Vodafone's Hybrid working policy? 

We don't require you to be in on specific days; instead, we encourage people to come into the office 2 days each week roughly, so average is 8 days a month. Some weeks you might want to spend more time in the office and other weeks more at home – and that’s fine too.  

Do you have any tips for fighting interview nerves? 

Firstly, interview nerves are normal and common for most candidates to face. This will look different for everyone but it’s important to try to remain calm. For some people, ensuring you’ve done enough prep for the interview can help calm nerves but on the flip side of this, it’s important not to overprepare or overthink, which can make some people even more nervous.  

Before an interview it’s a good idea to take a step away from your notes and do something that makes you feel great and gives you positive energy. This could be clearing your head by taking a walk or listening to your favourite music.  

If during the interview you find your nerves getting the better of you, it’s okay to pause, take a few deep breaths and a sip of water to give your mind some time to relax. This can help to put you back on track.  

When is it appropriate in the process to speak about salary and expectations? 

The recruiter will discuss salary with you during the initial call to ensure the role aligns with your expectations, as we value everyone's time and want to make the process efficient for all parties involved. 

How do you recommend talking about a redundancy in a previous role? 

When discussing a redundancy in a previous role, be honest and brief. Highlight any positive outcomes or skills gained and shift the focus to your strengths and how you can use these skills to contribute to the new role. 

What do you recommend doing in CVs for gaps in employment? 

At Vodafone, we understand that personal circumstances sometimes mean that taking a career break is necessary. You will not be judged on this, but you may be asked about it in our recruitment process and we would expect you to be open and honest.  

To be upfront about any gaps, I would recommend adding some brief context into your CV, which you can then discuss in more detail during the recruitment process. In terms of where in your CV to explain gaps, you could do that in your CV introduction or just by adding a simple sentence between roles. 

Does offer withdrawal after being given a conditional offer impact your profile with Vodafone in future roles? 

Offer withdrawal will not impact your chance at being offered a role in the future. All applications are treated as new regardless of previous decisions and choices. 

Are there any extra tips for ensuring that CV’s will get looked at by a human and not filtered out at the initial stage by software? 

Here are some tips: Use keywords (include relevant skills from Job Description), simple formatting without complex designs, photos or graphics, standard fonts and clear section headings (experience, education and skill e.g.) 

Are listing skills important in CV? For example, listing soft skills like problem solving, critical thinking.  What are your thoughts on adding software and applications like JIRA, SAP, etc, should they be listed? 

Any skill relevant to your profile and to any vacancies you are applying to should be on your CV. Whether this be in a list or as part of the description of your job it’s up to you. A bullet list of soft skills vs technical skills can often be a popular choice.  

Can high expected salary limit one’s chances? 

We encourage all applicants to be open and honest about their salary expectations to ensure the role they are applying for is suitable for their expectations, this will be discussed with applicants during the early stages to avoid wasting time for either party.  

What would you say are the three CV must haves in your opinion? 

1. Us recruiters probably spend most of our time reading through candidates past experiences so this should be centre stage of your CV and the area of your CV that you spend the most time on.  
2. Clearly laid out skills is key. Recruiters read hundreds of CV’s so being able to clearly signpost your skills will help you to stand out.
3. A CV introduction is a really nice way to get a snippet of who someone is before going into the rest of the CV. It’s a good way to set the scene for a recruiter and can give them a good idea as to why you are applying for a certain vacancy.  

What if my experience is not perfectly aligned to the role's requirements? Can I still apply? 

At Vodafone we are passionate about Inclusion for all and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about a role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for the role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in. 

What about reaching out to the hiring manager via LinkedIn? Does this make you stand out or is it frustrating to get messages like this? 

We recommend looking at the hiring managers activity on LinkedIn and engage with those who are active on the platform. Reaching out to a hiring manager should never hinder the success of the application however the level of engagement and interaction driven from such will be dependent on their manager.