How to Avoid Common Mistakes Candidates Do and Instead Impress a Recruiter

MARLEQ: How did you find out about MARLEQ, and why did you decide to become a Career Coach at MARLEQ?

Nicole Letaru: One day I was checking LinkedIn as usual then I came across Milo Radulovic's post about job seekers and I automatically knew that I needed to purchase his services and get in touch with him because I was desperately looking for a job. I, later on, checked out MARLEQ’s website and saw that Milo was the CEO of the company. That alone sparked my interest and want to join his company and also become a career coach so that's how my journey started.

MARLEQ: Which platform do you think is best for finding job offers (LinkedIn, job portals, company websites, social media, etc.)?

Nicole Letaru: Personally, I think all platforms are good for finding jobs, I don't normally limit myself to one specific website. However, I believe LinkedIn is a good platform to find jobs because I got my job through LinkedIn and it not only gives you the opportunity to apply for jobs, but it also gives you the space to network with people, and build your own professional community.

MARLEQ: Why are online personal branding and networking important for job seekers?

Nicole Letaru: I strongly believe that online personal branding and networking are important to job seekers because your brand is not your resume or your bio or any online profile. It’s the essence of who you are and it must be authentic to you. It helps job seekers to easily position themselves to be successful in their job search and career.

MARLEQ: Do you have a work-day routine that helps you stay focused and productive?

Nicole Letaru: My workday routine is prioritizing every task that I have for the day including lunch itself I don't like juggling and mixing things, this definitely helps me to stay more productive at the end of the day.

MARLEQ: Do you prefer more creative or structured work environments?

Nicole Letaru: I prefer more creative work environments because every day is not the same, which makes my work more challenging and refreshing than when I have to keep doing the same thing over and over again.

MARLEQ: Why volunteering experience is important for young professionals?

Nicole Letaru: Volunteering is super important to young professionals because it is the gateway to gaining experience in the corporate field. Personally, I have participated in lots of volunteering programs and they have shaped me into who I am today. This is something I highly recommend even to freshers who are still in school to utilize whatever volunteering opportunities that they come across because it has a lot of impact on the job market.

MARLEQ: What are the most common mistakes done by candidates?

Nicole Letaru: I review CVs on a daily basis and one of the most common things I have noticed from candidates is that they don't align their CVs according to the job description they are applying for. Hence, it becomes to conclude whether they are the perfect match or not.

Candidates have no job strategy, and they forget that applying for a job is a job in itself. They have little to zero background research about the jobs or the companies they want to work for. In other words, they don't know what they want.

Being unprepared during the interview with a lack of enough information to answer questions.

Bad-mouthing your ex-employer is a no-go area. I often come across candidates who bad-mouth their ex-employers not knowing that it is a huge turn-off to any potential future employer. 

MARLEQ: What should candidates do to become attractive in the eyes of recruiters?

Nicole Letaru: Candidates should have a job strategy to follow while applying for jobs. This will help them know what they want, and go for the companies and jobs they truly desire.

They should remain professional at all times whether it is dress code, speak smart, have a clean and professional LinkedIn profile, CV, and Cover Letter, as it tells a recruiter and employer that this candidate knows what he/she wants.

If you're passionate about the job, then it will show both in your resume and cover letter. Candidates need to prove to potential employers that they are not just after the money but want a career that will help them advance their career ladders. Show your dedication to their brand by researching about the company and learning how they operate is a major attraction to employers.

MARLEQ: What is the difference between a recruiter, HR, and career coach?

Nicole Letaru: An HR creates job descriptions, takes care of employee engagement, talent management, payroll services, employee benefits, while a recruiter is responsible for sourcing candidates based on job requisitions raised in his/her organization through various sources, lining up candidates for interviews and rolling job offers, whereas a career coach helps you figure out what you want to do and how to do it, furthermore they help to ensure accountability to keep a job seeker on track to move towards their next role.

MARLEQ: What knowledge and skills are you offering as a career coach to your clients (job seekers)?

Nicole Letaru: I am offering to my clients: CV review and edit, LinkedIn optimization, interview Q&A guidance, cover letter writing, and career consultation and training services.