Problems getting back into the industry

Question

I have been trying to get back into hospitality after trying something different (sales and marketing) for the past two years. I am 35 years old and have 15 years' experience in hotels, restaurants and pubs at supervisor and manager level. I am ideally looking for a pub or small restaurant manager/assistant manager position.

I think my CV is pretty good and I have attached it for you to have a look at. However, it seems that every job I have applied for has received a negative answer and I haven't even had any interviews. Is it my age, or the fact that I have taken time out of the trade? I have registered with recruitment agencies as well, but with no luck so far.

What the expert says

Kim Parish,human resources director, Scottish & Newcastle Retail

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When recruiting, it is usual for HR managers to choose interview candidates from a number of CVs. This means that brilliant experience and enthusiasm do not always jump out of the page, but progression and consistency can. I would always recommend that a CV should illustrate progression by giving the numbers of staff managed, the turnovers of establishments and key achievements during employment. Your CV does this. However, if someone like yourself has chosen to leave the industry, the first questions HR managers consider are: why did you leave the industry and why have you chosen to return to it? Is it because your second career did not work out? If the answer is not apparent, it is safer for the manager to use his or her interview time seeing another candidate who seems more committed to the business. I would recommend that you be clear about the reasons for the main changes in your career and that rather than use a space to describe yourself, you use that space to explain the reasons for the changes in your career. Any other information should consist of clear statements of measurable achievements.