Countless jobseekers are rejected every day by potential employers due to “a lack of relevant experience and qualifications.”
A year ago Aneela Sirfraz, 39, from Pleck, Walsall, found herself in this boat as she tried without success to get an admin role after losing her job as a recipe developer and baker.
‘I kept getting knocked back’
Aneela said: “I was out of work for over a year. I kept getting knocked back. I would get to the interview, they would say they liked me, but I would always get rejected because of a lack of relevant experience and qualifications.”
It was disheartening for Aneela, as it is for the thousands of people who, despite having the personal aptitude for the roles they apply for, are turned away because their CVs don’t quite match a job spec.
In August 2024 all that changed when Aneela, who was on the government’s Restart scheme, which provides routes into employment, was invited by Starting Point Recruitment (SPR) in Walsall to interview for the role of client onboarding coordinator.
‘I was offered the role for how I came across – not my experience and qualifications’
Not wanting to waste anyone’s time, Aneela made clear she lacked the listed experience and qualifications – but, to her surprise, that didn’t matter.
“The interview went well, and I was offered the role,” said Aneela.
“I did not have any relevant experience or qualifications for this job but SPR said they were hiring me based on me and my personality, how I came across, rather than whether or not I had certain skills which I could be taught later.”
In her previous roles in the food industry, Aneela’s interactions with people were transactional. Today at SPR she is required to deal with far greater depth and sensitivity as she advises job applicants on what they need to do and tries to build their confidence.
She said: “Today I’m learning new skills and meeting new people. My confidence is growing on a personal and professional level, including to pursue my bakery business.”
SPR helping Aneela with her bakery business
Aneela’s passion is her bakery business – Instagram handle: bluebakeryco – something SPR is actively encouraging her to develop.
“SPR encourages me to do my baking. Colleagues have helped me with social media promotion and other aspects of building the business,” said Aneela.
Before landing the job at SPR, Aneela had given up on her bakery business dream. Today, as well as being “really, really happy” in her client onboarding -coordinator role, Aneela’s side-hustle dream is alive again.
‘At SPR we see you for who you are, not what your CV says you are’ – Paul Cadman, CEO
Paul Cadman, chief executive of SPR, said: “If we had judged her based solely on her experience and qualifications, we would have missed out on the amazing, talented person who is Aneela.
“Aneela really cares for the people she deals with. She’s a huge asset to SPR. And she also bakes amazing cakes.
“At SPR we see people for who they are, not what their CV says they are. We want everyone to fulfil their potential. We place between 80 to 120 people in jobs across the West Midlands each month. If you’re looking for work, visit our website – www.startingpointrecruitment.co.uk – and get in touch.”
