As Stacey Knott noted in her feature on the fast food industry, not everyone has the inclination or the ability to be an astronaut, and retail, hospitality and service jobs are many people’s first experience of employment.
But it’s a textbook frustration for the job-seeker: no job without experience, no experience without a job – and entry-level roles are the most competitive. We asked a workplace that receives many applications for every advertised role how they choose who to interview, out of hundreds of CVs.
Countdown is one of the largest employers in the country, with more than 18,000 people employed across 167 stores, distribution centres, support offices and processing plants. More than 700 employees have been with the company for more than 25 years.
Michelle Dormer, HR manager for supermarkets, says Countdown plays a “very important part” in job creation in New Zealand, particularly in small towns, with a new store the size of the Countdown in Newtown, Wellington, creating around 180 jobs.
Three years ago, the New Zealand Herald reported that 2500 people waited up to seven hours to apply for one of 150 jobs at a new Countdown in Manukau, though the number of applicants received for roles depends on the location and the state of the job market.
“When we open new stores, we generally get many more applications than we have roles,” says Dormer. “Generally we have a pretty good feel for how we can best find the right people for the right roles, and striking the right balance.”
Regardless of the role, relevant experience is taken under consideration, but that doesn’t mean that people new to the labour market can’t get a leg up with the company.
“Personality, ambition and real interest in working in a customer-focused retail environment is very important, too,” says Dormer. “If we think someone is right for a role but just needs some up-skilling or training, we will put that investment in.”
More than 100 Countdown employees are currently enrolled in NZQA-qualified apprenticeship programmes as either butchers or bakers. To date, around 1500 employees have completed a National Certificate of Retail, which is also an NZQA qualification.
Dormer’s advice for applicants is to showcase your skills, experience and interest in the job. “An application is your first introduction to an employer so we would encourage anyone applying for a job to take the time to consider what’s going to show your skills, experience and interest in the job the best.”
Asked whether spelling and grammatical mistakes, and typos matter, Dormer says it’s important to double-check your application before sending it through. “That said, we’re also keen to see personality and excitement for a position shine through, so it’s not all about the spelling.”
She says knowledge of the role and the company, and having an idea of where they might fit in, sets apart the best applicants. But the most common mistake made by job hunters is false modesty – “not highlighting what your key qualities are, and talking yourself up,” says Dormer.
“You’re only as good as your sales pitch, whether that’s on your CV, cover letter or in an interview, so embrace all the great skills and talents you’ve got and make them known.”