Interview advice

“Can you explain the gap in your staff?”

When I took my interview training I was told I cannot ask about gaps in CVs. I don't know if it is technically against the law but it might be.

Turn up and don't have been a dick on social media in the past, is also sage advice.

Jeff (of this parish) and I worked many years ago on a newspaper with the wife of an editor from a nearby weekly paper in Cheshire. He was recruiting a trainee reporter and in early on the morning of the interviews.

First one was 9am so the editor made a coffee and browsed the social media of the kid who'd applied. Straight away he saw a post from the night before along the lines of: 'Job interview in the morning. Don't really want it but I guess they're all good practice, eh?'

Lad didn't get the job and rang up a week or so later for feedback, which would have been an interesting call...

It is remarkable how dumb people can be when it comes to social media. I remember vetting applicants for a rental property a few years ago, one lady had her Facebook profile open for all to see with photos of her biker buddies and a profile badge saying "Support Your Local 81". That was an easy pass.

I look them up. No massive racists. No oddjobs.

Doesn't that rule out like 95% of trades?

We’ve got some good lads and lasses.

The electricians are too busy painting their nails for anything else.