Looking for a new role?
Unemployment is generally unplanned and hits you like a bolt of lightning between the eyes…
We are seeing a new type of job seeker… those that have not been out of work for many years however it is just circumstance such as Covid 19 that tips the business forcing closures and ultimately making you join those unemployed.
It can be a daunting experience and scary and we would like to help you help yourself as much as possible during these difficult times.
Our team are here to help so please feel free to call a Consultant – click here for our up to date contact details.
In the meantime, there are 4 steps you can work through to place yourself in a better position than you are right now, helping you get back to work as soon as possible.
Step 1: The Tradies CV
Traditionally a weak point with a lot of the trades and blue collar skilled workforce, the CV is the window for an employer to see the types of roles and responsibilities you have held, how long you have stuck to roles in the past and the general trend in your career so far.
In the past knowing someone on site or having a mate of a mate has got your foot in the door but this is increasingly not the case.
There are a few main points to focus on in a CV
- How do I reach you?
The biggest mistake a candidate can make is omitting an email address or phone number, if you cannot be reached you will not be progressed.
- Who are you?
A profile statement about yourself. Talking about yourself can be difficult but a potential employer is not looking for a novel just a short concise sentence or two about you in your career. For example,
“I have been in the industry for X years, undertaking skilled work ranging from Y to Z. I will be a good fit for this role because I am XYZ (hard working, industry knowledge etc.)”
- Tell me about your history
What have you achieved? In the trades, hiring managers are interested in your qualifications, skills and experiences. Do you have the ticket to do the job?
Break this down into easy to read sections and run a clean and easy to read list of bullet points with expiry dates!!
Education/Licences/Qualifications
- Full Class 1 Driver Licence
- Forklift License (expires xx/xx)
- Site Safe Passport (expires xx/xx)
- First Aid Certificate (expires xx/xx)
- Anything else relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Where have you been?
This is perhaps the most important part of the CV and the part that will be most closely scrutinised by an Employer or Recruitment Consultant. This should also be the easiest part, Company – Job Title – Dates – Description.
As for how far to go back, if possible, I suggest sticking to the last 10 years for ease of reading and to prevent a CV from being too long. You can always cite, previous work history available upon request
Name of organisation – month and year of employment
Job Title, one sentence on what you did here.
Duties
Brief points about responsibilities and what YOU achieved!
Once you have done this step, now onto the business of actually applying for a new role…….
OK the CV is complete and now …
Step 2: Applying for a Job
The easiest step, in theory. Before you send your CV ask yourself, “what is it I am applying for” and “does my CV read like this is the job I am applying for”.
Nothing will sap a reader’s interest faster than you seeing you expressing your interest in another company or role because you didn’t proof read or tailor your information; make sure your CV is angled towards what you are applying for.
If you have good experience and evidence of relevant work in the past, make sure to provide more information in these areas on your CV and go into more detail so the employer can see that you know what you are talking about and that you have skills that they want. Jobs that are irrelevant or have no skill cross over to what you are applying for can be kept short and concise.
If a role is not relevant DO NOT leave it out altogether. CVs with no gaps show commitment to work and overall employability, gaps will be taken as unemployment.
Gaps are not a bad thing but please remove doubt from the readers mind – it is always better not to leave anything to the imagination.
Cover letters are important – please introduce yourself and let the reader know why you are applying and should be on their YES pile to interview.
Step 3: You have been chosen and are getting THE call
First impressions are everything and manners are free. Simple phone etiquette will get you a long way when applying for a job and it can be as simple as answering your phone with a “Hello Sam speaking”. Try to remove random voice mail messages when job seeking It is extremely important that you have an appropriate and professional /friendly message.
I have heard
“Yo you are through to Peter, don’t bother leaving a message as I can’t be bothered to call you back”
Might be great for your friends as they know your humour but hardly leaves a great impression to the person who may be employing you….
When being phone screened the recruiter or employer will be looking to measure you and your CV against the job.
If you are applying for jobs it is completely normal to have several or even dozens of applications out there. When you are called about a job, please clarify which one it is and if you are unsure, just ask, we understand.
When being asked general questions there is no reason to be nervous or panic, no one expects you to know everything so answer what you can to the best of your abilities and don’t be afraid to offer up anything relevant we may have missed or not asked.
The first level screening will put you in the YES we must interview this person pile if you get it right. Be yourself and be confident.
Step 4: Interviews
No secrets here, this is your chance to secure the role.
Show up on time: If you can’t make it to an interview on time the employer will have serious doubts as to how capable you are showing up to work on time.
Dress appropriately: Office interview = collared shirt and pants, Construction site interview = steel caps and high viz.
Listen and answer the question: There are no tricks, games or ulterior motives, the questions are there to gather a specific piece of information relevant to your personality or skill set. There are no wrong answers or hidden meanings. Please give great examples of your work, do not answer with just a yes or no. The hiring managers want to hear all about you and your skills and why you are the best for the position. Give solid examples to show you have done it before and done it well…. It gives the hiring manager confidence you can do the job.
Depending on the organisation and type of position there can be several rounds of interviews and even testing, this all well within the normal process and will be used to determine skill levels and personality fit against the role.
Doing well so far!
Step 5: References
For a reference to be useful it must be a person you have worked and preferably a manager or owner who can comment on your working practices and personality in the workspace. Two referees are a great number and the best-case scenario would be one from the most recent position and one from a previous position.
“I don’t want my employer knowing I have been applying for jobs, this may put my current position at risk”
A valid concern and for some people very real possibility, therefore it can be better to leave references off your CV until you are at that stage in the recruitment process.
Referees available upon request is totally fine in today’s hiring space.
Step 6: The offer
This is the part you have been waiting for!
Hopefully the offer is exactly where you expected it to be given you have discussed the scope of the role at the beginning.
If it is a little off where you expected it to be, you can of course negotiate – your new employer will not want surprises so please be honest throughout the process.
Step 7: The Celebration
YES you have the job, contract signed and about to start – do a secret jig of happiness and congratulate yourself – YOU DID IT
Click here Or call 09 281 2689/021 177 8320 to speak to Sam – he is here to help
