Ask the expert: Find the right job fit

By MARIE WILSON

Q. I have been to a number of interviews, based on my CV and application, yet I have not been offered any of the jobs that I require.

To date I have had jobs that do not quite match my skills and also vary in the volume and type of work that was originally discussed with me.

I do not have the ability to multitask.

I also have difficulty working in a pressurised environment. On the other hand the quality of my work is above average.

I am not sure whether I am failing to listen at the interviews, or perhaps taking each job simply because it is being offered. I believe what people say and like to take their word at face value. I am also reluctant to question the company on what they offer.

Any advice that you would be able to offer on how to get jobs that better match my skills would be appreciated.

A. If you are easily gaining interviews, it suggests that your CV and application are well-crafted. Now to work on the next steps. The job fit that you are describing depends on two factors: the information that you provide, and the information that the company provides.

Sometimes organisations think that they are the only ones doing the picking when potential employees are also trying to assess the company and the job in advance of making a decision.

It will require you to be more assertive in the interview and have prepared questions that target the types of work that you can and cannot do.

You can ask how much pressure they believe the job involves, but it is often better to ask people who are currently in the job, or those who have held it in the past. You may not be able to gain this in the interview, but you might be able to insist on this if you are offered the job, prior to making a decision.

A quality interview will allow you to ask questions, and if you have 4-5 prepared it will make it easier for you to raise these in the interview or before the interview, when you can ask for job clarification when you are being asked to interview.

It may also mean that you need to decline jobs that do not fit your skills and abilities. This can be hard to do if you are unemployed, but if you are pursuing multiple options, waiting for the right one is justified by the longer period of time you will be able to work, productively and enjoyably, with your new employer.

Q. Your recent question and answer on dealing with a non-traditional background struck a chord with me. I, too, feel my non-traditional background is hindering my job search.

I moved back to Auckland after travelling and living abroad for 26 years. I have extensive experience in people-related roles having worked within hospitality during my travels.

While overseas I went back to school and earned a master's degree in gerontology, a discipline that studies the social and psychiatric aspects of ageing.

I worked as a caregiver for the elderly to support myself during my studies and also case managed in a skilled nursing home. As working with the elderly can be draining, I got into educational sales before returning home to be closer to my ageing father.

I am a healthy, intelligent, and attractive 53-year-old with a lot to offer as well as oodles of energy. I also have winning references from all my jobs.

Should I post my CV on job sites? I am interested in research, writing, consulting (contract work), starting a non-profit support organisation for family caregivers like myself, etc.

I do tweak my cover letter and CV for particular jobs but I cannot get away from my eclectic background.

How do I make that work to my advantage?

A. Well, you certainly do have a diverse profile.

While posting your job on web-sites can be helpful, you need to craft a CV that actually attracts the appropriate interest whether on-line or through more traditional forms of job search.

If you start with two lists: one of the skills and abilities that you have gained and wish to use in your next role, and the other the characteristics of work that you enjoy, e.g., working with people, flexible hours, etc. these become points of reference as you evaluate options for employment.

You may wish to target key areas of employment that fit these criteria. Try crafting different CVs (which may require more than tweaking) to signal your career interest with a stated objective, then provide a career summary that highlights your skills, and then goes on to provide the employment and educational record that are evidence of the skills and abilities that you have.

The CVs may be very different. For example, if you were looking for work in aged care, your qualifications and care-giving experience would appear very early in your CV, preferably on the first page, for a sales position, these might be downplayed, and appear at the end.

Your cover letter should be written for each job, listing the requirements and speaking to how you meet them. Never assume that your cover letter will be seen by all, often only CVs are circulated, which means your fit needs to be as clear in your CV as it is in your letter.

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