Four in 10 bosses shun CVs for word of mouth
Nearly half of all bosses fill vacancies based on personal recommendations rather than relying on CVs.
New research shows more and more managers would rather give a job to someone they knew than trust a list of qualifications and experience.
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employment law survey of 250 small and medium size firms, for the Employment Law Advisory Services, reveals that more than four in ten do not insist on a CV before hiring staff. Experts say some are put off using the CV method in case they are sued by disgruntled applicants who fail to win a job.
In TV reality show The Apprentice, contestant Paul Tulip boasted he has been recruited for his last two jobs without a CV. However, he was the first to be told by Sir Alan Sugar: "You're Fired." Mr Tulip's competitor Ansell Henry similarly admitted to hastily putting together a CV to get a place on the TV series, having not needed one for years.
But Pam Rogerson, of the Employment Law Advisory Services, said: "The CV is the guarantee that can protect a company from a range of legal problems. Whenever you decide not to recruit a candidate, especially a minority candidate, there is the risk that they will feel prejudiced against and issue tribunal proceedings.
"To defend such a case, it is essential that an employer can prove they have done everything by the book.
"Even where a candidate has not exaggerated his or her own abilities - which can result in automatic dismissal - having a CV on file is a basic piece of procedure."
