By Djinodji SOLMENGAR Rodrigue
A clear and concise CV can help job seekers stand out during recruitment. Madjita Jean-Capistran Ladjimdon, a former human resources professional now working as Operations Manager at CRS Chad, shares advice for young people entering the job market.
A job applicant may have only a few seconds to make a good first impression on a recruiter. That is why a clear, well-organised CV can make a difference, according to Madjita Jean-Capistran Ladjimdon.
Ladjimdon, who previously worked in human resources and now serves as Operations Manager at CRS Chad, said recruiters often make an initial decision about a CV within a very short time.
“An easy-to-read CV is the key,” he said. He added that a recruiter might spend no more than 10 seconds deciding whether to move forward with an application.
Keep your CV short, clear and relevant
Ladjimdon advised job seekers to avoid lengthy CVs filled with information that does not relate to the position.
He said applicants should focus on relevant achievements rather than simply listing their previous duties. He also advised them to leave out personal details such as marital status and religious beliefs.
A CV should also present qualifications clearly. Candidates should include the dates of their studies, the names of their educational institutions and the certificates or diplomas they have obtained.
“A CV should not be perfect. It should be easy to go through,” he said.
Why do employers ask for years of experience?
Many job advertisements require several years of professional experience, even for positions that young graduates believe they could perform.
Ladjimdon said such requirements can be linked to compliance procedures and internal approval processes within organisations. However, he stressed that previous experience is not always an absolute condition for recruitment.
He shared his own experience as an example. He said he spent about a year and a half looking for his first job and eventually secured a managerial position without having completed an internship.
His experience, he suggested, shows that a lack of professional experience does not automatically disqualify a candidate.
Keep applying and learn from the process
For young people facing repeated rejections, Ladjimdon advised them to continue applying rather than become discouraged by unsuccessful applications.
He explained that recruitment decisions can depend on several factors, including the specific requirements of a position. A candidate may not be selected even when they have the necessary qualifications.
He also encouraged job seekers to learn how to prepare their CVs and seek advice from people with recruitment experience.
To illustrate his point, he compared job hunting to finding the right pair of shoes.
“When you go to a market and you do not know your shoe size, keep trying the shoes. One day, you will find the size that fits you,” he said.
His advice to young applicants is to remain persistent, improve their applications and continue looking for opportunities that match their skills and qualifications.