Basically I have failed to secure any interview to get into consulting since last November and thinking that my Engineering experience isn't attracting any recruiters. I did not expect career change would be easy but I was at least expecting to get an interview or two!So is it my CV (me), the competition or the industry are looking for specific quality/experience candidates?Thanks

More details. What are your academics? Prior work experience etc?

MSc. BSc. in Civil Engineering working on transportation projects for the last 6 years (Railway & Highway), my current position is a senior engineer, recently qualified as Prince 2 practitioner.

My current project is in your industry - so your experience would be absolutely relevant since many firms have Transport practices. In fact, a lot relevant. We're changing processes that require (or would help a fair bit) if more of us had rail experience.I bet the closest rail experience some of us here have is traveling on a train. The other day, one guy said he'd never been on a train - ever.Maybe it's your soft skills, people skills etc?

He isn't get the chance to interview for people to see his soft skills.. Perhaps it's how you position your skills on your CV. Are you coming across as too engineering focussed rather than someone who reduces cost/improves performance?What firms have you applied for? Have you looked at Atkins or people like that?

Sorry to hear of your frustration! On the information you have I would have another look at your CV - even let other people have a look at it too - "two heads are better than one" and all that jazz. Echoing above, focus more on how you could contribute to the firm you're applying for using your experience and keep in mind performance improvement/reducing costs. The sad reality is, with a lot of jobs, you're filtered out before anyone even sees your CV as your academic profile, buzzwords on your CV, numeracy/literacy test results and more all get taken in to account before you get close to an interview - I can't imagine the process is much different in consultancy?

I appreciate all the comments.I had my CV reviewed and changed few time to move away from engineering and focus more on my other experience in management, bids and soft skills.I have applied direct and through agencies, but I am disappointed from the lack of feedback on my CV when I get rejected from both! Should I tailor my CV to each job I am applying to?

You will have better luck applying to consultancies that focus on transport/engineering/operations. Here are some I can think of:- Arthur D Little- Stroud Consulting- KMPG's Operations Strategy GroupYes you need to tailor your CV for each job you apply to. Check the job description and try to use the same keywords; for example, if the job spec says We do Scenario/Alternatives Based Analysis, make sure you use scenario analysis in your CV. Remember that consultancies deliver results to clients and so your CV should clearly describe the impact of your work ideally in £££ terms. No recruiter will give you feedback on your CV, you need friends/alumni/former colleagues for that.

Yes, I would definitely tailor you CV to suit each job you're applying for, regardless of what job it is (i.e. whether you think it's worthy of a CV revamp).Going back to what 'I' said, include those buzzwords and try to match the job/person spec as much as possible because it's more than likely that your CV will be screened for these before anyone worth while really gets to look at it.

to 'I' and PatrickMcIntyreMany thanks for your comments.I will definitely work on my CV and tailor it to each job to include the buzzwords to pass the automated resume screener stage.Thanks

To add - AtkinsArupMott MacDonald

Have you noticed any improvements since trying the more targeted CV approach?

Yeah, manage to send off any CVs, get first, second and partner interviews and a job offer, over the bank holiday weekend?

Heh heh, Mr Cool you are one very dry witted character ;)

Nop, going to try this week & will keep you update but don't hold your breath.

Just trying to keep up with you BEP..Eng - I don't mean to dissuade you, but unfortunately "transferable" skills just aren't that transferable and ALWAYS lose out to direct experience.Some years ago I saw a not too badly paid job for as Director of a business incubation centre at a 3rd rate university. I applied on the basis of:My success in selling consultancy to web start ups (5M a year)My experience at 2 start upsMy MBA and marketing diplomaDidn't even get an acknowledgment! I later realised that there is an entire sub-industry of people spending their entire career in education incubation centres, getting half grade promotions every 10 years. I was a total outsider

I really value your input.I understand your point and I thought the same about the industry and the transferable skills and I thought my only option will be taking an MBA, but recently one of my colleagues from the same background, with an average CV, no M.Sc or great experience have secured a project management consultant position in a good consulting. I possibly do not have all the required skills but I know if I get the opportunity I will be able demonstrate my strengths or transferable skills and work better around my weakness.

I think we are being a little harsh here... Have you tried applying to a more technically focused consultancy rather than an MC? An MC wont recognise any other other skills apart from PowerPoint... better to go somewhere where they value your skills and reward accordingly than lower yourself from your current well regarded profession.

Hey Mr Cool -was going to do this on R1 confessions but it was I who discounted your CV all those years ago. Basically I felt someone in their late 40's had bigger issues to contend with, given your name Mr Cool - didn't fit the image for bearded academic type we wanted in cords for our role and corporate image makeover we had just invested in - we felt as an MCIM you should have seen this !Seriously though, having just gone through getting a new role and operating in a niche area I tried applying also for non niche roles - with no success. However, I then did my usual adjust the cv to the role in the niche area using the buzzwords and landed the first role in went for.Point of the story if you need a job quick then stick to your strength and hammer the point home in a buzzword compliant cv in your area of strength.DC

Agh! Hoist by my own petard! What you don't realise is that while I am the epitome of suave sophistication on this forum, I am on fact sitting in the library of North Hull University where, suitably bearded and jumbo-corded, I am chief assistant librarian.If only I had known...

The market *has* been tough, but things might be on the mend. An MBA might seem like a viable shortcut in desperate times, but it's a waste of time and money. Don't bother.You seem to have hit a brick wall because, just by looking at your CV, recruiters spotted an actual or perceived risk which they are not willing to take. Take the first related job opportunity that comes your way, even if it's not your ideal one. Once recruiters see that some company has deemed you worth employing, you are not a risk to recruiters anymore and they will feel more confident about pushing you for interviews.Just to give you an idea, I spent the last 6 months looking for a MC role. In an ironic turn of events, now that I finally secured a job, I've been getting calls with interview dates from recruiters who had previously flatly rejected my applications. It's either evidence of the perverse mechanism of the UK job market, or May is just a good month for job hunting.

Persistence mother f*cker!!!Get rejected 100 times to get what you want...who cares!But one should always seek to better one's self.Let us know when you win!