Why Aren’t You Getting Maintenance Jobs?
Avoid the Three Biggest Mistakes Made by Jobseekers
Are you finding it hard to get hired into maintenance jobs? If you are, you’re not alone. The first hurdle you encounter is getting an interview. According to job search research, jobseekers have a tough job:
• Job openings have as many as 250 applicants on average
• Only one in six are asked for an interview
• On average, jobseekers attend five interviews before they receive an offer
The average candidate must make a lot of applications and attend a lot of interviews to land maintenance jobs. But then, the average candidate makes a lot of mistakes when they are searching for jobs. Consequently, they receive few (if any) offers. When they do receive an offer, they are so relieved that they accept it, even though it’s not really the job they want. We let you in on the three biggest mistakes that job seekers make and how to raise yourself above average.
1. You Aren’t Targeting Your Ideal Job and Employers
You’re so fed up with your work, or so desperate to get a new job in maintenance, that you are applying for as many jobs as possible. You’re taking a scatter gun approach. Applying for hundreds of jobs doesn’t mean you are more likely to land one. Your application will lack focus and passion, and it is more likely to be turned down without an interview. The result is a lot of wasted time and effort – and at best, a job that doesn’t suit you. It’s crucial that you target the jobs and employers that suit your experience and personality.
2. Your Resume Isn’t Targeted to the Job
When an employer reviews your resume, they want to see that you want the job. They want to see passion and commitment – to them and the job advertised. To do this, you must focus your resume on the skills and experience the employer needs. You must match your resume to the job – your standard resume won’t cut it.
3. You Interview Poorly
Interviews can be tricky. This is especially the case if you really want the job, or if you have messed up interviews in the past. It can also be hard to read what interviewers are thinking, and this makes it more difficult to answer questions. Or you may ramble in your answers. There are a whole range of reasons why people interview poorly.
How Do You Propel Yourself Above the Average Jobseeker?
Understanding these three most common errors of a jobseeker will help you land the maintenance job you want faster. From your initial search and application, through to your interview, by taking the following actions you’ll stand out from the crowd of candidates.
1. Know Yourself
Before you consider applying for a new job in maintenance, sit down and write a list of what you want from it:
• Think about the type of work you want to do, the hours you wish to work, and the responsibilities you are prepared to assume.
• Then consider all your skills – technical skills and soft skills – and your strengths and weaknesses.
• Finally, consider the type of employer you wish to work for.
With the focus that this process gives, you will now have a greater appreciation of the jobs to search for and the employers to approach and avoid.
2. Customize Your Resume for Every Application
As you find maintenance jobs with employers that appeal to you, make sure that you read the full job description. It’s not necessary to have all the skills an employer asks for, but you must have the main skills they require.
Now examine your resume and customize it to the job description. Highlight your skills and experience that match the employer’s needs and demote those that don’t. Make sure, too, that your personal statement includes taking on the responsibilities that this role asks of you.
3. Prepare for Your Interview
The skills, experience, and ambition that you have highlighted on your resume should be sufficient to win you an interview. Now it is your time to shine. There are very few people who are natural interviewees. You should approach your interview as if it were an important exam – which, of course, it is.
Research the employer, and reacquaint yourself with the advertised role. Link your experiences to the employer’s requirements, and write out a few examples of where you have used the skills and experience the employer asks for. The best way to answer interview questions is to use the STAR method, by describing the:
• Situation you were in (“The production line had ground to a halt because of a mechanical failure”)
• Task you worked on (“The issue was with the machinery on…”)
• Action you took (“I liaised with… sourced an emergency part… and replaced…”)
• Result of your action (“We got the production line running again within two hours, compared to a projected repair time of 24 hours”)
By preparing four or five scenarios in this way, you’ll be able to approach the interview with confidence and let your personality shine through.
Always Be Their Best Option for Maintenance Jobs
Don’t be the candidate who makes multiple applications without success. At Mac Incorporated, we work with you to identify your goals and match your skills, experience, ambitions, and personality with the best employers for maintenance jobs. For a confidential discussion about your career, contact Mac International today.
