Would You Hire Yourself?

Job hunting can sometimes feel like a numbers game: send your CV, apply for vacancies and wait for a response. But before you submit your next application, there’s a more important question to ask: If you were the employer, would you hire you? Employers aren’t only looking for someone who meets the minimum requirements. They’re looking for someone they can trust to do the job, work safely, fit into the team and add value to the organisation. Here are seven questions every jobseeker should ask themselves before applying.

Your CV shouldn't make a recruiter work to figure out your experience.

If you're a Diesel Mechanic, Millwright, Boilermaker, Auto Electrician, Engineer or other skilled professional, clearly highlight your qualifications, years of experience, equipment worked on, industries worked in and key responsibilities.

Don't simply list job titles. Show what you actually did.

Ask yourself:
If someone only had 30 seconds to look at my CV, would they understand what I bring to the table?

It's tempting to apply for every position that looks interesting. But a stronger approach is to understand exactly what the employer is asking for.

Look carefully at:

• Required qualifications
• Trade certificates
• Years of experience
• Specific equipment or machinery experience
• Industry experience
• Licences or other certifications
• Location requirements
• Supervisory or management experience

If you don't meet every requirement, that doesn't automatically mean you shouldn't apply, but you should understand where you fit and where you may fall short.

Saying “I have extensive experience” is very different from demonstrating it.

Can you explain what machinery you've worked on? What environments have you worked in? What responsibilities have you held? What problems have you solved?

Specific experience is much more valuable than vague statements.

For example, instead of:

“Experienced Diesel Mechanic.”

Consider:

“Diesel Mechanic with 8 years' experience maintaining and repairing heavy-duty mining equipment in open-cast operations.”

Specific information gives an employer something to work with.

This is particularly important in mining, engineering and heavy industry.

Technical ability matters, but so do safety, reliability, discipline and accountability.

Ask yourself: Would an employer trust me to arrive on time, follow procedures, work safely, maintain equipment properly and take responsibility when something goes wrong?

Your reputation isn't built only through qualifications. It's built through your work ethic and the way you conduct yourself.

References can tell an employer a lot about the person behind the CV. Think carefully about your previous employers and supervisors.

Would they describe you as:

Reliable? Skilled? Hardworking? Safe? Professional? Honest?

If you're unsure what a previous manager or supervisor would say about you, that may be worth considering before your next application.

Perhaps the most important question of all.

Don't only think:

“What can this company offer me?”

Think:

“What can I offer this company?”

Your experience could help reduce downtime. Your technical knowledge could improve maintenance. Your leadership could strengthen a team. Your problem-solving ability could help keep operations running.

Employers hire people because they need someone who can solve a problem, fill a skills gap or contribute to their operation.

So… would you hire yourself?

If the answer is yes, that's a great place to start.

If the answer is not quite yet, that's not a failure. It simply gives you something to work on.

Your next opportunity might depend on improving your CV, gaining another certification, building more practical experience or simply becoming better at communicating the value you already bring.

The goal isn't to be perfect. It's to be able to confidently show an employer why you're worth considering.

Being qualified doesn't mean your learning should stop. Technology, machinery, safety standards and workplace requirements continue to change. Candidates who actively develop themselves can become more valuable over time.

Consider:

• Additional certifications
• Manufacturer training
• Safety courses
• Technical training
• Leadership development
• New equipment experience
• Computer or digital skills

Ask yourself:
What have I learned in the past 12 months that makes me more valuable than I was a year ago?