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RNR on the CV

K

Karma

War Hero
Clearly being in the RNR is something which should lend some weight to a CV, however given the current climate and lack of understanding of the RNR compared with the TA there are bound to be some potential employers put off by it, so weeding out applicants through the recruitment process.

So, do those who are in the RNR put it on CVs, and if so how do you put it across at interview?

I'm happy that an employer has to know before starting, but I'm hesitant about showing the card too early in the process.

TIA
 
I personally wouldn't put it on your CV. There is the chance that you may not make it to the interview stage.

I would bring it up in the "any other questions" stage of the interview.

That way you've managed to put yourself across as well as possible without them having any preconcieved ideas about you.
 
Well mate I've got an interview on Wednesday, and I mentioned on my CV that I am in the RNR. I'll let you know how it goes.

Mentioning it might go in your favour - they may well regard military characters as good employees.
 
Karma said:
Clearly being in the RNR is something which should lend some weight to a CV, however given the current climate and lack of understanding of the RNR compared with the TA there are bound to be some potential employers put off by it, so weeding out applicants through the recruitment process.

So, do those who are in the RNR put it on CVs, and if so how do you put it across at interview?

I'm happy that an employer has to know before starting, but I'm hesitant about showing the card too early in the process.
Click to expand...

Yes its on my CV, under Additional Information - in the interview I use the RNR to demonstrate that I have a wealth of leadership experience gained through the RN/RNR and also to support my inter-personal skills; the RN/RNR gives you exposure to people from a very wide range of social backgrounds and to be successful in the service you need to be able to deal with such people at many levels.

When asked about the implications, I'm honest - the majority of the commitment is outside the normal working day, however there may be occasions when the RNR may impinge, e.g. Friday afternoon travel. I had 6 "permanent" employers between 1986 and 2004; I know of at least one company where my membership of the RNR prevented me from being offered a job; of my six employers between 86 and 04, five had no problem with my membership, in the sixth case it was a totally different matter (I lost my job!). In all honesty, until moving to Canada, I never considered leaving the RNR as an acceptable price to pay for any job - if they wouldn't accept my membership of the RNR, then I probably wouldn't like working at such a company.
 
I got my last job though contacts rather than an application. But if I was doing a cold application, I would not put it on the CV. I would tackle it when I got to interview.
 
I recently got a job working at a sports centre as im also still in school, putting the RNR on my CV worked in my favour as they believed having a well discliplined and well presented 17 year old was a hard thing to come by and i believe this swayed the job offer my way. I think, therefore, i'd reccomend putting it on your CV.
 
I must admit I haven't gone for a job since joining the RNR proper (ex URNU) but it is on my CV for a number of reasons:
1. It offers me the opportunity to learn desirable skills that may not be readily available at work - financial management for example (if you work on a budget of any kind).
2. It demonstrates, if I argue it well, that it demonstrates time management skills and people management.
3. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be doing the job I am now.

If we're supposed to be so keen to fly the flag, and we're supposed to be trying so hard to get employers to understand, then what better than put it in their face?
 
This is a good one!

I have heard many anecdotal stories about interviews refused, jobs not offered etc "because I said I was in the RNR" - how do they know it wasn't for another reason?

Sure there will be the companies who are scared about losing a valuable employee for 6 months, especially if the company is small or the job is very specific calling for a unique range of skills (and we see enough examples of people not being able to undertake training because of this sort of worry by employers).

On the plus side, the RNR does offer a huge amount in the way of life experiences, transferrable (and even non-transferrable) skills, confidence, discipline etc and from the point of view of interview opportunities it gives you something to talk about that the vast majority of your 'opposition' won't be able to talk about.

My own take on it is let the company know from the first moment that you are in the RNR. If they are likely to have a problem accepting that you may be called away it doesn't matter if you tell them pre-interview or post job offer, there is no way you will be able guarantee that the company won't have to manage the situation and getting the job by withholding critical information isn't a good way of starting a productive relationship with your new employer.
 
Thanks for that so far, I should probably fill in some of the background.

I'm leaving the regulars and thinking of joining the reserves, although not actually done any paperwork so far. The various benefits of the reserves are probably already evident after mutterlots of years in.

I'm just debating over whether to sign up to the reserves in advance, then broach it with potential employers, or wait until I've had an offer and discuss it.
 
I'm lucky that my employer (A big US IT firm) has many employees worldwide in some kind of reserve organisation and supports me when I need time off. they also understand I could get mobilised.

I have on my "internal" CV that I have done the LRCC, and because of that, managed to get a Team Leader role in my current job.

People have to take time off work for various reasons in their career, ie sickness, maternity leave etc, and these firms just have to deal with absenses. You cannot be expected to say "I MIGHT need time off in 2 years time for 6 months due to illness". Some reservists are called up for less time that some folk are off on sick leave..and employers cope, there shouldnt be any discrimination against members of the Reserve Forces.
 
I included my RNR info on my recent CV and it was instrumental in helping me get the job, i was actually told that after my interview.

I think there may be an element of paranoia to think that everyone hates the military and that companies would shy away because you are a reservist, it depends on how you sell the transferable skills on your Cv, and in any interviews.

Its alwasy good to do some research on the company and their beliefs beforehand, smaller companies may find it difficult to employ too many reservists, understandably so.
 
Always been on mine (3 companies), and always an interesting discussion but an overall positive. I would focus on the training requirements (a significant number if not all large companies meet you half way at least on your 2 weeks) showing it will not significantly impact the day job, and look at the benefits the employer gets from leadership, team building etc. etc. etc. - it show's you're motivated, a self-starter, a team player, and all that other good stuff.

Not great to say (and why bother?) "oh yes...and I might just be off to Iraq/Afghanistan/Darfur/wherever maybe possibly at some point." Cross that one when you come to it!

Cheers, and good luck with your new career coming out of the mob!
 
There was a rumour that Big Airways would not recruit reservist aircrew, but of course they do employ them. Work that out!

Remember that if you get the job you are legally bound to tell your employer under curent regs.
 
US firms/companies are generally good about the reserves - many of them openly advertise their employees' reserve memberships on their websites.
 

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