Employers want someone who knows what they’re talking about. They don’t want someone who just memorised all the latest acronyms. So, how do you show them that you’re the real deal? Here are some tips.

Re-write your CV

Make sure those all-important skills aren’t hidden away on your resume. They need to be easy for the recruiter to pick out at a glance. Take a look at the job description and make sure you match the keywords in your CV. Another good idea is to include data about your previous experience, e.g. sales numbers you’ve hit, number of clients you have managed, number of articles you have written, etc. The more precise, the better for the recruiter to assess your skill level appropriately.

Provide evidence

Don’t just talk about how intimidatingly brilliant you are. Tell some stories that actually illustrate how great you are at what you do. Think about problems you solved for your previous company or a big win you brought home. It’s also a good idea to prepare stories that specifically address points mentioned in the job description.

For example: “I am good at doing stuff” OR “I am so good at doing stuff that I did some stuff that resulted in my company getting 1000% more stuff.” Which one would you hire?

A great technique to consider here is the “Situation, Task, Action, Result” (STAR) approach. Memorise the stories in a way that uses this approach to demonstrate your experience.

Link to your online presence

If your application includes links to (relevant) online profiles, such as an industry blog or posts on your Linkedin profile, they can easily see that you know your stuff. For more detailed advice on how to build your online presence, take a look at this post.

Know your jargon

It may sound daft but, if your specialism uses technical terms or a lot of acronyms, make sure you actually know what they mean. Don’t just throw them out in the hope of looking competent or it’s easy for a clued-up interviewer to catch you out.

Training

Include a list of training courses you have attended on your CV. This is a quick way to show would-be employers which areas you have a deeper understanding of. No, First Aid doesn’t count.

Have someone else back you up

Think carefully about who your references should be. Someone who has worked with you and speaks enthusiastically about your skills can be a powerful influence on recruiters.

You can also use testimonials in an interview. Rather than saying “I am…”, go with “My manager always says I’m…” instead (but only if it’s true).

Put together a portfolio

Create a place online to showcase your work. Don’t just upload everything you do, though, carefully curate your best work to show employers what you are capable of. Then, include a link to your portfolio with your job application.

Ask questions

Asking insightful questions about your potential function at the company is a good way to show that you have a deep understanding of what you do and that you are interested in the position.

Of course, the most important thing is actually knowing your stuff, but once you’ve got that down, you need to make sure that employers can see it. So, think about these things the next time you are applying for a job.



Featured Image: Joethegoatfarmer.com

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