Why looking beyond a CV is the key to finding good talent
Employers who don’t look beyond the contents of a CV could risk missing out on great talent when looking to hire new staff. Here’s why.
Employers who don’t look beyond the contents of a CV could risk missing out on great talent when looking to hire new staff. Here’s why.
Telling you what they can do is not the same as showing you.
But what if one of those candidates had had everything they needed to be the perfect addition to your workplace culture with just a little guidance and training?
Employers miss out all too often on eager and energetic potential employees by overlooking a CV that lacks levels of experience that might sometimes be unrealistic.
Many younger millennials are only now taking their first step onto the career ladder. Their CVs, typically one or two pages in length, are their opportunity to tell you everything they can. And that’s the thing. Telling you what they can do is not the same as showing you.
Do you have realistic expectations for levels of experience?
And there’s only so much relevant experience a recent graduate can embellish for the purpose of a CV.
Millennials are set to completely reinvent the workplace in the coming years. They’re arriving on the scene with a new attitude and a new set of approaches to work. Some typical Millennial attributes which can complement and modernize the workplace include:
- Millennials generally have adaptable skillsets and can turn their talents to a wide range of areas within a business when compared to baby boomers
- Not only that, but they’re hungry to learn. Millennials value guidance and want the chance to develop and hone new skills
- They’re more adept at handling change. As automation comes more to the fore in the workplace, millennials will continue striving to adapt and succeed
- Despite their reputation as job hoppers, research has shown that millennials are no more likely to hop between jobs than Generation X. In fact, if the company values match their own (including ethics, flexibility and feedback) they show higher levels of employer loyalty
Instead of choosing applicants based solely on CV credentials, employers should aim to interview people who show potential to benefit their company. According to recruitment consultant Claudio Fernández-Aráoz, employers should put their efforts into finding applicants with “the ability to adapt and grow into increasingly complex roles and environments”. [1]
There are plenty of ways to weigh up whether a candidate has potential within your company without depending too much on their CV.
Check references from a variety of sources
Interest and enthusiasm = engagement with your business
How curious and enthusiastic are they?
Speculative applications are also important to consider
People who send speculative applications are also important to consider as potential employees. Sending speculative applications indicates they’ve singled you out as a company they want to work with.
Interest and enthusiasm = engagement in your business. And that’s a great starting point for a fruitful relationship with an employee.
Do they have infectious energy?
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