Jobhunters have to work harder

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), June 18, 2009

Byline: HENRYK ZIENTEK

A RECRUITMENT agency in Huddersfield is urging jobhunters to make sure they stand out from the crowd - as official figures showed another big rise in unemployment.

The latest jobless figures coincide with claims that some job vacancies are attracting hundreds of applicants.

New Direction Selection Ltd, based at Queen Street South, is now providing pointers to jobseekers on topics such as compiling "standout" CVs, honing interview techniques and making the best use of "job boards" and recruitment agencies.

Sean Cashman, of New Direction, said: "There are people struggling to get a job who have all the right qualities, but are failing to make the most of themselves. We will speak to them and look at their CVs.

We will be critical, if necessary, but we will also look at people's unique selling points and highlight them.

"We will also look at the obstacles to employment - such as only being available for part-time work, which is not ideal for some employers but may be exactly what another employer needs." Mr Cashman said: "Twelve months ago, an applicant for a job may have been one of three or four people going for interview.

Now you may be one of 12 to 20. Under those circumstances, you have to do everything in your power to get yourself noticed.

"It is also a question of where to look for jobs. As well as the Jobcentre, there are online 'job boards' where it is important to put in the right search words. You may want a job as a debt collector, but an employer is looking for 'credit controllers' - so you have to get the terminology right." Colleague Victoria Dyson said: "People must make sure they tailor their CV to the job they are after.

"Instead of having one CV which they send to every employer, they should make sure they change the emphasis as appropriate." But she stressed: "You have to be 100% straight on your CV and at your job interview. If you are giving references, provide the names, addresses and phone numbers of those references. It helps give your potential employer confidence in you." Mr Cashman said: "There are jobs out there, but there are many more people looking for them. People should be realistic in their expectations because of the recession. If you earned pounds 30,000 a year in your previous job, you may not get that kind of money this time round.

"Because there are far more people on the jobs market, more people are willing to take a salary cut to get the job. It means the job commands a different salary now." Mrs Dyson said: "We go into the job interview scenario in-depth. The key is to prepare fully for your interview, show a good understanding of the company and anticipate what questions you will be asked.

"Eight out of 10 people attending a job interview will be ill-prepared. If you can be one of two interviewees who are wellprepared you will increase your chances." Mr Cashman added: "You have to really want that job as well - not just turn up because you have to. Employers can tell if you are unenthusiastic about the job." New Direction Selection, formed 10 years ago, has a nine-strong team based at Fairfield Mills, Queen Street South.

It deals with temporary and permanent recruitment in areas including office-based roles such as call centre work, accountancy marketing and design as well as middle management and sales.

It also has a construction and engineering division as well as supplying recruitment consultants for the other recruitment agencies..

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JOB OFFER: Victoria Dyson (left) and Sean Cashman, of New Direction Selection, said job applicants had to work harder at promoting themselves