Let’s be clear from the start. Your CV does matter.

It’s usually the first thing we see, and it does need to cover the basics. Relevant jobs, clear dates and the right qualifications. It needs to give us enough detail to understand what you’ve been doing and where you’ve come from.

If you’re worrying that your CV has to be perfect before you can even think about a move, it doesn’t.

In the motor trade, a CV is just the starting point. It’s rarely the thing that decides everything.

What your CV actually does for you

A CV is useful for the factual side of things.

It tells us where you’ve worked, what roles you’ve done and how long you’ve been there. It helps us sense-check whether a role is realistic and whether your experience lines up on paper.

That part does matter.

What it doesn’t show is you.

It doesn’t tell us why you’re looking to move, what you enjoy about your job, what you’re fed up with or what kind of environment you’ll actually be happy working in.

We see it all the time. Two people with very similar CVs but once you speak to them, they’re completely different people.

That’s why the CV is never the whole story.

The phone call is where things really count

This is the bit people often underestimate.

A short phone call usually tells us far more than a well-written CV ever could. Our Motor Trade Recruiters are listening to how you talk about your job, what your days are really like and what you’d like to be different next time.

You don’t need polished answers. You don’t need buzzwords.

We’re not expecting you to have everything figured out. We just want an honest conversation.

Enthusiasm matters here. Not an over-the-top, sales pitch, just a genuine interest in what you do and where you want to go next.

Motor trade jobs aren’t one size fits all

Anyone who’s worked in the motor trade knows this.

A Service Advisor role in one dealership can feel nothing like the same job somewhere else. A Vehicle Technician role can vary massively depending on workload, management style, training and support.

That’s why we ask questions.

We want to know what a good day looks like for you, what hasn’t worked in the past, what you want more of and what you’ve had enough of.

We often talk about you before your CV is even sent

In many cases, the CV isn’t the first thing we send.

When we speak to a business about a candidate, the conversation usually comes first. We will explain who you are, what you’re doing now, why you’re looking to move and what kind of business you’re likely to suit.

By the time your CV lands on a desk, the story around it already makes sense.

You don’t need a perfect CV to be a strong candidate

What makes a real difference is how open you are and how involved you are throughout the process.

If you’re willing to talk things through, explain your situation and be realistic about what you want, that goes a long way.

Common questions we hear from motor trade candidates

Do I need a perfect CV before speaking to a recruiter?
No. Your CV needs to be clear, relevant and up to date, but it does not need to be perfect. A conversation helps us understand you properly first, and we can always help tidy things up later if needed.

What matters more, my CV or a phone call?
Both matter, but the phone call usually tells us more. How you talk about your role, what you want next and what actually matters to you all come across much more clearly in conversation.

Will my CV be sent without my permission?
No. We do not send CVs anywhere without speaking to you first and agreeing where it is going.

What if my experience is not a perfect match on paper?
That is very common in the motor trade. Once we speak to you, we often uncover experience or responsibilities that never made it onto your CV and can help put that into proper context.

Should I wait until I am actively job hunting before getting in touch?
Not at all. Getting in touch early often leads to better decisions later on, especially when you are not under pressure to move quickly.

In short

A CV matters. The conversation matters more.