Headhunters have been actively promoting former deputy prime minister Dominic Raab for positions in the City of London, as several Tory MPs are starting to consider their options beyond the upcoming general election. Raab, who stepped down as deputy prime minister following allegations of bullying, has confirmed that he is engaged in preliminary discussions about his post-MP career. A recruitment consultancy called Kea, which specializes in the alternative investment sector in Europe, has put forward his name as a potential candidate.
In the spirit of helping out a job seeker seeking a career change in the City, Alphaville acquired a copy of Dominic’s CV for review. We hope our feedback will be helpful not only to the former minister but also to anyone interested in working in the alternative investment space and looking for tips on how to prepare for the next step. You can download a PDF version of Raab’s CV without metadata here, or simply refer to the version below:
Alphaville engaged in some research to find useful CV-writing tips. Although not finance-specific, we found job.ac.uk’s “10 things NOT to do on your CV” by careers consultant Nadine Lewis intriguing, especially for its bold use of block capitals. Therefore, we decided to utilize its guidelines as a framework.
1. Avoid providing irrelevant personal information: Consider the relevance of your interests and achievements to the position you are applying for. In Dominic’s case, his additional information section includes details like skydiving from 15,000 feet to raise funds for Shooting Star Child Hospices and his achievements in karate. While these may not directly relate to the private equity sector, we believe charitable values aren’t necessarily a negative aspect.
2. Highlight important information: Make relevant information stand out on your CV by using persuasive language, such as action words and achievements. Dominic’s CV starts with a comprehensive overview of his career, qualifications, and political roles. However, we feel that he should have highlighted his transition from a lawyer to a politician in a more distinct manner.
3. Pay attention to spelling, punctuation, and grammar: Mistakes in these areas can be detrimental to your CV’s impact. According to the CFA Institute, a CV with two typos will be rejected by 97% of hiring managers. Dominic has made several errors in his CV, including inconsistent use of hyphens in date ranges, grammatically incorrect sentences, and misspelled words. These errors should be rectified to create a more polished CV.
4. Avoid unexplained gaps in employment: Unexplained gaps in your employment history can raise concerns for recruiters. Dominic’s CV appears solid in terms of continuity, although it may be worth noting that he has provided more details about his training as a solicitor than his lengthy tenure as a local MP.
5. Do not include misleading or false information: Employers conduct thorough background checks on candidates, so it is crucial to be honest and accurate in your CV. We do not anticipate any issues with Dominic’s CV in this regard.
6. Leave out references: References are usually requested at a later stage in the recruitment process, so there is no need to include them in your CV. Dominic has wisely excluded any unnecessary references.
7. Prioritize relevant experience: Focus on your recent and most pertinent experience and achievements. If skills or qualifications from the distant past are no longer relevant or up to date, it is advisable to exclude them. Dominic’s CV seems to prioritize relevant experience, but we suggest reviewing the relevance of certain sections from an alternative investment perspective.
8. Format your CV for readability: With CVs often being read on-screen before being printed, it is essential to ensure easy readability on screens. Dominic has formatted his CV well, using a standard serif font and avoiding unnecessary embellishments. However, there are slight inconsistencies in date alignment that should be addressed.
9. Craft an impactful introduction: The opening paragraph of your CV should capture the attention of recruiters and make them eager to interview you. It should be concise, compelling, and specific. Nadine emphasizes the need to make a strong impression, while also mentioning the importance of authenticity and substance. Dominic’s CV lacks an attention-grabbing introduction, so we recommend adding a more captivating opening statement.
10. Make your CV convincing and persuasive: Ensuring your CV effectively communicates your skills, qualifications, and accomplishments is vital. A well-crafted CV should persuade recruiters that you are the right fit for the role. However, it is important to note that the relevance and persuasiveness of a CV may vary depending on the specific circumstances. According to expert Harvey, the value of an ex-Tory MP as a door-opener may be limited if the party performs poorly in the next election. Therefore, it is essential to keep the context in mind when assessing the overall impact of a CV.
For more information on Dominic Raab and his political career, you can refer to the original article published on mainFT last week, titled “In Dominic Raab’s Rhododendrons” in the London Review of Books.
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