Cracking the code in competitive job market

Are you struggling to stand out?

In a recent conversation with Paul McCann, we discussed how job candidates can improve their chances of landing a job. In this blog, we’ll share our insights on how to make your resume and interview techniques work together to showcase your skills and experience in the best possible light.

Less is More

It’s essential to focus on delivering the main message with your resume. Remember, less is more, and it’s essential to condense your resume to make it easier for the hiring manager to read. Focus on the key aspects of your professional experience that are relevant to the role you are applying for.

Context, Action, Result

It's important to understand who you are as a professional and the role you are applying for. Use the Context, Action, Result (CAR) structure to explain your job roles, the projects you've worked on, the people you’ve worked with, and the outcomes of your work. Focus on the results that separate you from other candidates, and provide depth to your responses.

Results are Crucial

The results are the most critical part of your resume, and it's what differentiates good candidates from the best candidates. If you are using the example of a process improvement consultant, it's good to include the project that you worked on, but what the hiring manager is interested in is the outcome. Providing specific details on the results of your work, such as a 15% decrease in time savings from 100 minutes to 85 minutes. Including only the % change of what you have delivered is ambiguous, so including where the process started to where it finished will make you stand out from other candidates.

Context Matters

Providing context in your resume is essential to help the hiring manager understand your experience and role. Ensure to explain the job, project, and company to provide a better understanding of your experience.

Interview Techniques

Your resume and interview techniques should work together to showcase your skills and experience. Use the CAR structure to understand your experience, job by job, role by role, and use that to answer behavioural competency questions. This structure will help you to stay focused and deliver the most important details.

Final Thoughts

Remember, your resume is a tool to get you in front of the hiring manager, not a tool to get you the job. Being concise and getting straight to the point is crucial to grabbing the attention of the hiring manager. Focus on your skills, experience, and outcomes to make yourself stand out in a competitive job market.