Land That Job
Module 2: Who are You Advertising?

Up Close and Personal

Imagine that you’ve just watched a wonderful feature-length film of your favourite person’s life story. Now imagine that a friend has asked you to tell them about that film. In ten minutes. You haven’t the time to tell them the whole story, no matter how much you may want to – so you tell edited highlights, don’t you? And what highlights will you choose? Ones that you know will appeal to them, of course – ones that will bring the life story alive in their eyes.

And that’s the essence of a great CV. The edited highlights of your working life, chosen to appeal to the employer of the job you have in mind.

Recognise Your Specialness

You’re special. You are. You’ve lived a life that no-one else has. You’re a resourceful and versatile person with a stack of qualities. Let’s get in touch with them shall we?

At this point, revisit last week. When you stepped into the employer’s shoes and drew up your list of expectations for the perfect candidate. Read through that list slowly, absorb what’s on it. Add to it if you want to. Be aware of the words and phrases on your list as the backdrop to everything you do next.

Now let’s clarify who you are and what you offer that makes you special.

1. Take a look at your skills and knowledge portfolio.

What are you qualified in, what do you have experience in, where do you get results? What have you learnt in each job you’ve held? Where do you excel? Go back on that one – you certainly excel in some areas – where are yours? Where would you be chosen above other people in your team to get something done? What are your natural talents and abilities?

2. What’s in your contribution catalogue?

Where have you done things that made a difference, achieved something you’re proud of? What improvements have you made in each job you’ve held? How about your personal attributes? What do you contribute simply by being you? How do you make work easier or more pleasant for your colleagues and your boss? Ponder on this one. You will definitely have made more contribution than you think you have. What would your boss and colleagues miss about you if you weren’t there?

3. What’s your pleasure profile?

What makes you feel good when you do it? What brings you the most personal satisfaction at work? When time flies, what are you doing?

For all three, go back and re-live what you felt, heard and saw as fully as possible. Write down everything you can remember about what you did, why you did it, and the results. Get as many experiences recorded on paper as you can before moving on. Make sure they’re fresh in your mind. Bring them alive. Renew your acquaintance with that dynamic and positive person who takes action, assumes responsibility and achieves results – you.

This is your unique configuration of skills, qualities and interests – what makes you so special.

CV Makeover – Part One

This week I’m going to coach you on the three decisive features that make the difference between an okay CV and an outstanding CV. Get these three things right, and you’re on your way. Using your skills and knowledge portfolio, your contribution catalogue and your pleasure profile, we’re going to create your ‘edited highlights’.

Firstly, think achievements.

Rather than making your CV a dull narrative of the duties and responsibilities you had in each of your jobs, make it a vibrant dialogue of the contributions you’d like to be remembered for. Take care not to boast – but take even more care not to underrate yourself.  You’re an achiever. You wouldn’t be doing this course if you weren’t.

Secondly, use power verbs to start each point

Action-packed and personal ‘doing’ words, like initiated, devised, developed, identified, implemented, negotiated, organised, improved, resolved, won…

Thirdly, add quantifiable evidence that shows you can get results.

You improved the efficiency of your department? Great. By how much, and how are you measuring it? By a percentage reduction in costs, headcount, time – or by something else; what evidence are you giving of the improvement? For example, you could say:

‘Initiated and implemented a training programme for analysts’

Or you could say,

‘Initiated and implemented a training programme for analysts that achieved a 10% increase in staff productivity’.

Which one stands out more to you?

Scan once more the list of qualities you drew up for your perfect candidate. Does it prompt any further ideas for your CV?

If your work experience is a little slim – perhaps you’ve recently left college or are returning to work after a career break – don’t worry.

As well as your work, what else have you done that merits attention? Consider voluntary work, clubs and associations for instance. Tease out points that will be attractive to employers. Your task is to shine the light on the things that make you you.

And always remember – somewhere out there is the right job for you. Somewhere, someone is looking for their perfect candidate. You. Making it easy for them to spot you is your mission.

On the radio recently, I heard an engaging story about a famous philosopher who was visiting Cambridge University. Sitting at dinner one evening, he was faced with a creamy textured but indeterminate dessert. As he hesitantly explored the surface of the dessert, a waiter leaned over and said, ‘If you dig a little deeper, sir, you’ll find a peach.’ The philosopher was said to have considered this as good as any philosophical advice he’d ever received.

The same goes for you, here, now.

Dig deep – you’ll find a peach.

Actions of the Week

1. Be true to you
It makes you special. Your uniqueness is your gift to the world.

2. Grab your pen and paper and define:

• your skills and knowledge portfolio
• your contribution catalogue
• your pleasure profile
• the things that make you special.

Let your thoughts flow.

Paper filling up nicely? Fantastic. Keep going.

Feeling stuck? No problem. Keep the questions in your head and let your subconscious mind deliver the answers over the next few days. Or enlist support – from friends, colleagues, your coach. You have a wealth of skills, experience and personal qualities – it’s simply a matter of recognising them.  

3. Create your edited highlights

Incorporate power verbs and quantifiable evidence. Spend time on this; it’s worth the hard work.  

4. Edited highlights looking a bit lean?

Check you’re not cheating on yourself first – are you taking for granted your value and significance? Sure you’re not? Okay. Then it’s time for action. There’s no time like the present.

Go with what you’ve got and in the meantime take a good look at yourself and your current job. What can you do right now to start building your skills and knowledge portfolio, your contribution catalogue, your pleasure profile? Don’t hang about – go, do, be.    

5. Sit back and read what you’ve written.

Really look at it. This is you. Feel proud of yourself. Acknowledge yourself – you have heaps to offer, and this is just the start.

Excellent. Well done – that’s stage two of our journey completed.

Next week, we’re going on to the second part of your CV makeover, including how to present your CV with pizzazz. Til then, have a terrific week!