A pair of identical twins who run a successful recruitment company have revealed the top reasons people struggle getting hired.
After years working in various roles, Dan and Tim Barfoot, from Wiltshire, decided to take a risky jump that has ended up earning them millions.
The twin brothers, aged 45, have always been inseparable and love bringing out the other’s competitive side.
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Together, they have run CMD Recruitment for the past 20 years.
Now, they’re sharing some of their top tips to help struggling job candidates land their dream gig.
And it’s easier than you might think.
“One thing we always see a lack of is a willingness to listen,” said Dan, who used to split his time between the UK and the Middle East for work, before moving back home full-time in 2004.
“You’ve got to be able to take on feedback and listen to what the recruiters are saying.
“It’s got to be a two-way street.
“The relationship between us and the candidate is make-or-break.
“Recruiters like us know what is best for them and we will only advise on that.
“Tim and I pride ourselves on national standards but local excellence, we know what companies in the area are looking for.”
There’s also a few common mistakes that most people make during the application and interviewing process – which many don’t realise is stopping them from landing a job.
Dan added: “People don’t change their CV to make it match the role [they’re applying for] better if they have the skills.
“You need to write a covering letter if you’re missing skills, as this can sometimes help support your application.
“Failing to prepare for the interview; as my favourite saying goes: ‘Fail to prepare = prepare to fail.’”
CMD Recruitment is a family business that only operates in the south west, which the twins say works in their advantage because “everyone knows everyone”.
Thanks to their wide network – many of whom are old school friends and people in the local neighbourhood – they understand the market “better than anyone else”.
Tim said: “As we have that geographical knowledge more than other recruitment businesses, this gives us the expertise to know where someone’s next role can be – so listening to us is key.
“Often, we work with the same people over and over again, and as they already know who we are, as well as talking to the same person, it’s likely to help yield better results.
“This sets us apart in an industry that is so hectic and gives us that unique selling point.”
The company now with 20 years of trading and has helped thousands of people secure jobs.
Knowing how to find a career calling is something Dan and Tim themselves have experience in.
Dan said: “During school, I was the more athletic one and Tim was more academic; he went to sixth form and I left to join the army.
“Though, we both shared the same sense of humour, were outgoing and most importantly, were very competitive – especially with each other.
“I planned on doing my service for 22 years and selling the dream to retire early at 40.
“But after 10 years, I realised it wasn’t for me and left to work in a different role abroad.
“Tim got kicked out of sixth form for being the class clown and went to work in retail jobs, until a family friend suggested going into recruitment.
“I saw how much he loved it and whenever I was home, I went to work with him there.
“Quickly, I realised how much I wanted to do this all the time, too.”
The dynamic duo now have 18 team members in the office and 240 contracted per day – with a combined 200 years of experience.
Dan added: “I’m a firm believer that if you’re confident, easy to talk to and can tell a cracking joke, as well as being willing to put in the work, then anything can be achieved.
“We’re still very hands-on and work like everyone else on the team, which is rare nowadays.”
Tim added: “I had to sacrifice seeing my kids grow up, which was tough.
“My son would be in bed by the time I got home and I’d wake up before he went to school.
“Now, though, it’s paid off.
“And with Dan’s impulsiveness and my methodical mind, we’ve made a great team.”
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