ADVICE RECRUITMENT
Motor trade job seekers will need to polish CVs as employers turn noses up Increasing competition for fewer jobs means the best resumés will stand out.
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ith more competition than ever before for fewer jobs in the car industry – experts say now is the time for job hunters to polish their CVs. Motor recruitment agencies have warned that without a well-presented CV, many candidates won’t even get an interview. And with one agency saying they’ve noticed a trend of employers turning their noses up at those who have recently been made redundant, getting the basics right now is vital for job hunters. Mary Thompson, director of WeRecruit Auto, said: ‘It is a little sad that occasionally, and that must be stressed, we’re coming across some negativity from clients about accepting CVs from candidates who have been made redundant. ‘They ask why were they let go over someone else and what is wrong with them – but actually if you take the time to talk to them, there’s often reasons our clients wouldn’t even have considered. ‘There definitely shouldn’t be any stigma surrounding redundancy and if you’re in that situation, remember that it’s the role not the individual who has been made redundant.’ Steve Shaw, director of Ingenia Resourcing and Recruitment, another motor trade specialist, said CVs must get attention from candidates. ‘The first thing that people who have lost their jobs need to do is to get their CV brought up to date and ensure that it is presented well. ‘A CV is to get you an interview not a job. Many of the CVs we see vary between acceptable to shocking. There will of course be more competition for fewer jobs, so the best will stand out.’ Shaw advised those who may have lost their job in the motor trade to consider other industries where their skills would be transferable. He added: ‘While we do not want to see people leave the industry, if there are no jobs then that is what people will be forced to do. ‘They should look at industries that have a need for their particular skills and adapt their CV and approach to these employers. For example, a vehicle painter could easily work for a business that sprays kitchen/bedroom units or window frames. A sales executive could work in all sorts of industries.’ Both recruitment firm bosses said they were positive about the future as while some roles have disappeared, others have been created in their place. Steve Shaw And Thompson said it could be a blessing in disguise as she and her Ingenia Resourcing business partner set up the firm after being made redundant themselves. and Recruitment Thompson added that job seekers should try to make their applications stand out and highlight their skills. She added: ‘Work on your CV and tailor it to individual applications where possible. ‘Talk to a good recruiter – we’re here to support you and help get the industry back on its feet. There is some exceptional talent out there which the industry cannot afford to lose.’ Shaw also believes we’re seeing dramatic changes in the industry that will require sales people with different skills. He said: ‘We will need a new style of sales person in the future. ‘While there will still be a need for the traditional showroom sales person, they will be supplemented by internet/telephone/social media consultants who handle online, email and social media inquiries.’
Many of the CVs we see vary between acceptable to shocking.
Chances of securing job can top 100-1 MORE than 100 candidates are fighting over some motor trade job roles as redundancies in the industry mount up. Automotive recruitment agencies have told Car Dealer the current jobs crisis is the worse they’ve ever seen. WeRecruit Auto said it received more than 160 applications for one service adviser role, while Ingenia Recruitment said it had spoken to dealers who had been inundated with more than 100 applications for roles. WeRecruit Auto director Mary Thompson said they had seen a 40 per cent increase in applicants registering with their agency compared with the months before lockdown. Dealer group Pendragon is cutting 1,800 jobs, Lookers 1,500, and car manufacturers including Aston Martin, Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren and Bentley have all slashed jobs since the lockdown as well. Steve Shaw, director at Ingenia, said: ‘At the end of July, the vacancies that we had were 40 per cent down on the same time last year, but this figure does not tell the whole story. ‘We have had a lot more vacancies from independent dealers and workshops this year – more than any time in the past.’ CarDealerMag.co.uk | 57
