There’s a particular kind of frustration that comes when you’re applying for jobs, sending out application after application and hearing nothing back. Sometimes the market is slow, but sometimes the problem sits earlier in the process… before you’ve opened a single job listing.
If you’re planning a job search, or you’ve already started one and it doesn’t feel like it’s gaining traction, stop right now. You need to review what’s not working and get it fixed.
Your CV is doing more work than you think (or less than it should!)
Most people update their CV reactively: add the new job, tweak a line, call it done. The result tends to be a document that’s grown by accumulation rather than written with intention. Before you send it anywhere, read it as a stranger would. Does it communicate what you actually do? Does it show progression, or just a list of places you’ve been? Are the most recent and relevant roles getting the most space?
A CV doesn’t need to be a masterpiece, but it does need to be clear and current. Check the basics: contact details must be up to date, and the format not fighting the content. Make sure you also tweak it to the job you’re applying for. Use similar wording as the job vacancy, where applicable (this will help if the CV is AI-screened)
Know what you’re looking for (even roughly)
Applying to everything rarely works better than applying to the right things. If you haven’t thought about what role you actually want, the level, function, industry or even type of company, your applications will feel unfocused, because they are. Recruiters can usually tell when someone has copy-pasted a cover letter or barely adjusted their application for the role in question.
You don’t need a five-year plan but you do need enough clarity to write a targeted application and answer the question “why this role?” without fumbling.
Your LinkedIn profile, if you have one
Hiring managers and recruiters in Malta do check LinkedIn, particularly for mid to senior roles. If your profile is incomplete, out of date, or just a mirror of your CV with no context or personality, it’s a missed opportunity. At minimum: a professional photo, an up-to-date headline that reflects what you do (not just your job title), and a summary that explains what you bring to the table.
If you’re actively looking, the “Open to Work” feature is worth switching on. It’s not a silver bullet, but it signals availability and costs nothing.
References and recommendations
Some job listings might ask for references, but few candidates think about them before they’re needed. Have two or three people in mind who you’d be comfortable naming. They could be former managers, colleagues, or clients who know your work well. If you haven’t been in touch with them for a while, a brief message before you start applying is better than a rushed ask at the offer stage.
Do you have any skill gaps?
If you’ve been looking at job descriptions and consistently hitting a requirement you don’t meet, like a specific tool, a certification, or a skill area, that’s worth addressing before you apply, not after. A short course can close some of those gaps faster than you might expect, and having it on your CV or LinkedIn while you’re actively searching signals genuine intent.
This doesn’t mean putting the job search on hold indefinitely while you study. It means being honest about what’s genuinely holding your applications back versus what’s just a nice-to-have.
The practical admin
Small things matter when the process moves quickly. Have a clean version of your CV saved and ready to go — not buried in a folder of drafts. Know what your notice period is. If you’re applying across different industries or levels, keep a note of what you’ve sent to whom; it gets harder to track than you’d think.
Getting organised before you start applying doesn’t take long. Overall, it will produce better results than diving in and troubleshooting mid-process.
Good luck with the job hunt!
Have a look at the latest roles here.
