Recruiters and hiring managers come across a variety of jobseekers. Some of these individuals may be easy to hire due to their clear goals, work experience, skills, or personality. However, each jobseeker is different. There are broadly seven types of job seekers that recruiters may come across. Which category do you think you fit into? Read further to find out.
Which Jobseeker are you?
1. The Job Hopper
A job hopper is someone who constantly shifts their job. They have worked more jobs than can count and have trouble staying at one place for longer durations. This results in the CV looking like an inventory. There are pros and cons to every jobseeker.
Pros and Cons: They have diverse work experience and are good at the job that they do. Job hoppers can apply for the roles they want, be offered these job roles, and work in them.
Although they have worked several jobs, they have never stuck around long enough to prove their worth. They may appear to be unfocused.
Tactics: Perhaps now is the time to self-evaluate and figure out what you wish to do in the future. Following a skill-based CV format instead of focusing on the individual jobs you have worked on can prove beneficial. Explain to the recruiters why you have been a job hopper as there are several perfectly acceptable reasons for such situations. If you wish to enhance your skills, you can take up various online courses that will help you do so.
2. The Spammer
A jobseeker who sends their CV to multiple companies and often multiple times in a day is known as the spammer. They don’t edit their CV’s according to the job role and send it across to every advert that they see.
Pros and Cons: There’s a higher chance of them being lucky enough to land a job considering the number of applications they have sent out. However, the chances of landing a job that they want are lowered. The spammer may be disappointed with the results.
Tactics: A recruiter will hire someone who sees the job being offered as they wish to work. You must show the recruiters that you are better than anyone else who is applying for the same position, and following this method wouldn’t give you the chance to do so. You must tailor your CV to the current job requirements and then continue to apply. Following an indiscriminate approach doesn’t allow you to tailor the CV as required.
3. The Newbie
Freshers who have no prior work experience apart from internships but have big dreams come under the newbie jobseeker.
Pros and Cons: Freshers are young and energetic. Grateful for any chance to prove themselves, they’ll do their best when given the opportunity. Recruiters may have to take a shot in the dark when it comes to deciding whether a newbie should be given the job or not.
Tactics: No matter how small your achievements are, make the most of what you have. Be it extracurricular activities, hobbies that showcase your skills, part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer work, there is a range of things that can showcase your abilities and prove that you are a good fit for the job. Confidence during interviews and showing that you know what you’re aiming for can contribute to success. Be sure of how you can contribute to the company’s advantage.
4. The Undercover Agent
A jobseeker who is embarrassed to promote themselves and their achievements is known as the undercover agent. They have a ton of skills and are qualified to land the job but hide them in the CV.
Pros and Cons: One of the only benefits of following this approach is that you don’t come across as an arrogant individual. However, showcasing your skills is essential and will only help the recruiter choose you. Recruiters may not have the time to excavate the individual’s valuable qualities, and you may thus miss out on good opportunities.
Tactics: Remember that you need to value yourself and your skills. Remember that you make a good candidate and showcase your skills appropriately. It is important to be bold in your CV and highlight the achievements that you are most proud of.
Pro Tip: Always check your spelling!
5. The Shape Shifter
An individual who constantly moves from one industry to another instead of moving up the ladder within the current industry is known as a shapeshifter. These individuals change their career often.
Pros and Cons: Making a shift in a career is not an easy decision. It takes time and effort. It cannot be a spontaneous decision, and recruiters acknowledge this. Pursuing something new takes passion, enthusiasm, and dedication as well. Thus, recruiters will gravitate towards giving them a chance to prove themselves. However, due to a lack of work experience in the job role they may be applying for, it can sometimes become a difficult choice to make.
Tactics: Look at your CV from the employers perspective. Since you are competing against candidates who may have more relevant work experience, it is important to present your skills appropriately. Mention why you are looking for a change in your career path and showcase which transferable skills you possess in terms of the job description.
6. Pinocchio
Someone who has already achieved everything that the job requires and shows the credentials and qualifications to prove they are qualified. These jobseekers are too good to be true.
Pros and Cons: Misrepresentation is never good. It is something that you don’t want to have on your record while applying for jobs.
Tactics: Evaluate your CV and take out all the lies. Several individuals falsely claim that they have the required qualifications and achievements but cannot live up to these expectations in the job interview or job. Positively word your CV, but never lie on it. Ensure that you are putting only facts on your CV and value your real achievements.
7. The Emmental
An Emmental is someone who loves to take career breaks. As a result, their CV has more gaps than work experience and jobs.
Pros and Cons: If there is a genuine reason for the career gap, recruiters will look at the positive side and appreciate that you are looking to get back into the workflow and build your career. However, it can appear quite unreliable and suspicious if there is no genuine reason behind the career gaps.
Tactics: Your employer will want to know the reason behind the career gaps. Ensure that you give the perfect explanation for the same. The worst-case scenario would be to hide these reasons, as the employers will eventually sniff them out. Give a brief description in your cover letter and mention the exact dates in your CV. If you have gained valuable transferable skills during the gap, be sure to draw attention to the same.
Closing Thoughts
Now that you know the different types of a jobseeker, which category do you think you fall under? Whichever type of jobseeker you are, don’t forget to tailor your CV and cover letter to meet the requirements. If you feel like you need to upgrade your skills, take up Great Learning’s Online Courses in various domains and ensure that you are fit for the job. You aim to stand out from the crowd, not to blend in.
