In today’s world, more companies are increasingly seeking talent beyond their borders. Since the pandemic, manufacturers have been looking at the European Union for experienced and skilled professionals. To effectively tap into this pool, it is essential for North American manufacturers to understand the nuances of the European CVs and what sets them apart. Here is a quick guide on what to look out for when looking for an EU candidate and how to ensure you make the right hire for your European operations.
Embracing the Educational Diversity in the European job market
The European education system might slightly differ from that of the American degrees, making it challenging for North American employers to hire new employees from Europe. The European higher education landscape is characterized by different program structures, degree titles, and accreditation processes, which makes it complex for non-EU employers. North American employers are advised to rely on EOR and/or PEO services when hiring new employees.
Importance of language skills on a CV
When hiring in the European Union, paying attention to the candidate’s language skills is important, especially if the role involves customer interactions and collaboration with teams across different European countries. If you plan to hire an international sales manager or a country director, it will require employees to have a set of language strengths. In Europe, having multiple languages is an asset when dealing with clients, partners, and teams from different countries. North American employers should look at multi-lingual applicants as an asset. This is a testament that they can communicate effectively, build rapport, navigate cultural nuances – and be able to facilitate international business transactions.
Europass CV for a European role
Whenever you are hiring on the European continent, it is important you outsource consultants who have familiarity with the Europass CV format. This includes sections for personal information, work experience, education, and language skills, hence making it easier to evaluate a candidate within 2 minutes. Unlike the traditional USA resumes, the European CV emphasizes personal attributes and hobbies in a manner that is less customary for Americans. American employers might struggle to evaluate the CV effectively hence losing the right candidate for the role.
Focusing on the soft skills on the European CV
A European CV is very strong in aspects such as teamwork, adaptability, communication, and many others as they are pivotal in separating the good candidates from the extraordinary candidates. Using soft skills can help you determine the kind of work culture you might want to have – thus building a diverse work environment. A manufacturing company will look at employees who can work under pressure, have great communication skills, are collaborative, and someone who can maintain productivity while working through numerous challenges. While it is easy to pinpoint a soft skill that is favorable for your organization, it is hard to understand what skill is needed to thrive in a certain European environment. That being the case, hiring a consultant can provide guidance on which skills are important in different markets
Building a customized CV
To ensure that the European applicants sound qualified, they will often customize their CVs so they can align with the specific jobs they are applying for. Europeans will ensure a proper demonstration of their genuine interest in the position and their willingness to go the extra mile to fit seamlessly into the organization. Major things that they will focus on are the qualifications, skills, and experiences that will match directly to the role while downplaying or omitting less pertinent information.
Availability of certifications and qualification
While North American candidates boost their academic achievements such as master's, and PhD, a European candidate would rather boast about the diversity in the range of qualifications and certifications obtained over the years. Identifying these certifications will showcase the applicant's commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, being a well-rounded and adaptable employee, and many others. North American employees should appreciate the diversity in European CVs as this can bring a wide spectrum of knowledge and expertise to the organization and would enhance innovation in problem-solving capabilities.
Hiring European talent might require a thoughtful approach that would consider educational diversity, language skills, cultural adaptability, and many others. Non-EU employers expanding their business on the European market would benefit a lot from hiring experienced consultants to assist in the process of hiring. Navigating this complex landscape can be daunting for North American companies that are unfamiliar with the intricacies of hiring practices. Consultants would provide invaluable insights into the local job market, providing guidance on the most effective aspects of a candidate’s CV, minimizing risks, and many other aspects.
We invite you to find out why our HR Outsourcing services can be the perfect solution for your success in Europe.
