CVS, Supporting Documents And Social Media – Getting It Right!

You’ve applied for yet another job. You’re not expecting a phone call and it’s unlikely you’ll get a thank you email or any follow up from the HR /Recruitment team / Hiring Manager – although that’s what you’re hoping and wishing for. Just an acknowledgement would be nice!!

It’s no surprise that there’s so much disheartenment out there! Why is it so much harder to find work right now compared to less than two years ago?

I’ll let you in on a secret (which isn’t really a secret) to those of us who work in this industry. It’s something we’ve known about for quite some time!

We “recruiters” can be a precious bunch when reviewing candidates for roles. How do I know? Because I have been involved in the resources industry for the past 21 years and recruited for 15 of those. I also know the reasons why we’re so fussy, so let me share them with you. Who knows, it may lead you to bigger, better and successful outcomes.

1.Fewer jobs – so many more applicants!

With less and less true jobs being listed in recent times, and very few new job roles being created currently, the competition is running HOT! Add to the mix our industry’s recent demise and so many people of late being made redundant and the effect only adds to making our work even more demanding. Because it’s our business to find the ideal candidate to match the job brief, those applicants who don’t meet all of the selection criteria will be side-lined in favour of those who meet 100% – even though they may well have been perfect for the role. Unfortunately, it’s often the less experienced or unemployed (who have applied alongside the successful experienced candidates) who become lost in the ‘applicant tracking system’ or ‘database’…..never to be communicated with or acknowledged at all! It’s all very demoralising, particularly as it’s the rule rather than the exception!

2. Sorry … but who are you?

Your CV and associated ‘career documents’ including your online presence, really are your personal branding and marketing tools. Think of them as ‘tools of the trade’ to getting your foot in the door! These are your career objectives; these are your qualifications; your skills and attributes; and your work history and achievements. These documents are a snapshot of all that you have accomplished along your career journey. This is you!

It is essential that your scope is as broad as it can be and that you put yourself out there – across all the spectrums available, including social media. Your CV and cover letter must be descriptive, and we will also check you on LinkedIn, Twitter and perhaps Facebook – just to see how you brand yourself to the big wide world. This is your one opportunity to ‘sell’ yourself to the recruiter so optimise your chances by doing it the ‘right’ way. Of course we’ll call you to find out more about who you are and why you are most suited to this role – you’ve sold yourself on paper and perhaps online and we are keen and want to know more!

3. We recruiters have a limited attention span!

We don’t really have a limited attention span; we can’t afford to in our game, but now that I have your attention, did you know that you have less than 30 seconds to impress us when sending in your application? Some experts in the industry estimate it could be closer to between 6-10 seconds, and when recruiters have been hammered with applicants for a role that needs to be filled urgently, it’s the stand-out candidates who receive our attention. Often we are working to urgent deadlines, so the applicants with a CV that ‘says’ all the right things pertaining to the job for which they have applied, will be shortlisted. This is only the start of the important process; but it’s a very big part and is a result of the standout documents you presented to us.

4. Now…… show us what you are made of!

A recruiter’s ‘wise words of warning’! Having reviewed and interviewed; and offered positions to many applicants in the past, all I can say is please make sure that what you submit in your application is really about who you are and where you have been! No phonies and no embellishment! There is nothing worse for a recruiter or hiring manager to discover that the next ‘star’ employee has ‘transformed’ their details to get a look in. It almost always comes back to bite you, and as with any situation – honesty is always the best policy.

If you have most of the credentials for a position – but not all; and you feel passionate about the role and believe you have the capabilities, then be confident in your submission. Also, let the recruiter know how keen you are, and that you would appreciate the opportunity of an interview – even though you may fall a little short of all the selection criteria you are a fast learner! Tell them that you can demonstrate your attributes to your potential employer, and that you have every intention of becoming their next valuable team member!

5. In a nutshell…..

Success in the current job market is dependent on the availability of jobs; your skillset; your work ethic and your overall suitability to the position.

Being considered in the first place more often than not relies on your CV, supporting documents and social media blurbs.

Dani Tamati – (MRCSA) (CDAA – Member) – dip HR │dip OHS is a Resource Industry Recruitment, Careers, Talent and Behaviours Strategist, Outplacement Consultant, Diversity Advocate, Mentor, Principal, Keynote Speaker, FIFO Wife and a Mum of 4

Dani established “THE resources HUB” (THErh) in 2012 as a careers, talent, recruitment and managed services company dedicated to the sector including civil, construction, mining and oil and gas; herself having 25 years’ experience in living, working, recruiting and career coaching in this industry.

Dani is regularly in the Media and has recently been interviewed on ABC Nationwide, Today Tonight, Channel 9 News, The Sunday Times, Perth NOW and on ABC Drive National Radio and is often called as a Keynote Speaker across different industries around career development and the employment landscape at present.

THE resources HUB can be found on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter

Should you need assistance with careers, recruitment or managed services, feel free to contact us here or phone us on 08 9295 5722 or 0499 841 722

Dani Tamati: About Dani Tamati
MiningLink: The Resources Hub! Who we are and what we do?
Jobs and Services: The Resources Hub Recruitment and HR Capabilities
Government of Western Australia North Metropolitan TAFE: Get into Resources