Why are so many people missing out on potential jobs?

It is a known fact that so many individuals send applications and CVs with the hope of a new challenge and opportunity in a new workplace, only to be left with a disappointment upon learning that they have not even been shortlisted for an interview. It is also true that some positions require specific skills and long years of experience and only that one special kind of person would have all the right cards to fit in the company's philosophy and vision which many others would not. Yet, many times, it also boils down to how candidates write their CV, how well they promote and explain themselves and how equipped they are with the capabilities that the company is seeking. At MISCO we have been offering recruitment services for over 30 years and today, we are involved in most sectors especially in recruitment for executive, senior and management roles. In 2014, MISCO received, reviewed and processed over 2,000 CVs. However, most of the CVs received were not in line with the job requirements that applicants had to comply with.

 

What are the main problems you are encountering in job applications?

It is staggering for us to see how many people were sending in their applications, accompanied by CVs in response to adverts for job positions and yet, most of these applications just cannot be put forward to the prospective employers because in them, the applicants are showing that they either lack the qualifications or the qualities for the post or simply because the call for applicants asks for different qualifications or experience. Most CVs are lengthy, rife with grammatical errors and lack proper structure or use of bullet points. Others are too concise or unclear when listing their career accomplishments, submit too much irrelevant information, leave out the most important data or simply do not highlight their key skills for the job as listed by MISCO in the call for applications.

 

Why do you stress so much on proper CVs?

Most of the roles we seek to fill for our clients would be pivotal for a company's success. We are talking of people with plenty of soft skills and with the personality and culture fit that can make a difference. Therefore, the use of childish email addresses, which is another common mistake, can subtly betray a lack of professional attitude. And in a job market which has become a cut throat and highly competitive environment, such mistakes become crucial. One must also bear in mind that people selection can be intricate and finding the right applicants today involves the use of appropriate tools and assessment methods. This is why selection involves a lengthy process. On the other hand, job seekers are competing for an employer's limited time and attention span and they do not have time to engage in a long and complicated search process.

 

How would you describe a good CV?

There is no one perfect CV. It all boils down to how much one manages to grab the attention of who is reading it. And it's not at all easy. Statistics show that recruiters spend barely 15-20 seconds on a CV. This is the only time available for your CV to grasp the attention of who is reviewing it. This is why for most candidates, the CV will be the only chance to come across as clearly and effectively as possible and leave an impactful impression. Not all calls for applications require the same style. This is why at MISCO, we have taken our time to design a number of different CV templates. These have been written by us based on our experience on what makes a well-written CV and are being made available in various styles to appeal to different approaches that candidates would prefer taking when applying. These templates are available on MISCO's website www.miscomalta.com and should prove very handy.

 

Besides a good CV, what other capabilities does an applicant need to show?

Job applicants need to portray a powerful and positive image in order to increase their chances of being invited for an interview with a prospective employer. In this respect MISCO also offers CV Coaching, a one-to-one service for individuals who would like assistance in writing and developing their CV and covering letter in order to ensure that their application is presented in a professional way and up to industry standards. From the CVs we see, we can safely say that the potential and the human resources are there. And if a candidate is not selected right away, his CV remains in our records and can be sourced for other eventual vacancies. This is why applicants have to be more attentive and sensitive to what the specific job profile is requesting to avoid another disappointment.

 

For more information on CV Coaching call on 2205 4505 or email [email protected]

 

 

Some tips for when you are writing your next CV 

-                      Leave unnecessary details out. No one has the time to read through your life changing experiences.

-                      Be concise, to the point and structured in the message you want to put across.

-                      You do not need to include personal information that is irrelevant for success in your job. Such as gender or date of birth.

-                      Apply for posts for which you are qualified not simply because they look more interesting.

-                      Avoid listing irrelevant achievements to try and impress. It does not work that way.

-                      Show a positive attitude and a will to make a difference to the company.

-                      Check your grammar well. Proof read once, twice, three times if need be. Better safe than sorry.

-                      Leave out any references to salary expectations. Don't make it just about the money.

-                      Fake or improper information or funny email addresses undermine even the best CVs.

-                      Do not attach a photo of yourself with CV unless the profession demands the necessity. If you wish to attach one - put on in a suit.

-                      Never mention reasons for wanting to leave previous employment.