not just a piece of paper

0 0 4 minutes read

By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter

Your career today is usually about solving problems complex issuesdrive measurable impactand be able to use it fluently Related technologies. Your resume needs to be a dynamic summary of your value.

Context is king, but keywords are king

Job title and company background: You still need to provide context. Don’t just focus on your department; scope and scale your job. Are you a global team member? Have you ever managed a cross-functional initiative?
Keyword game: Every modern resume is screened Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
- action: Make sure the skills, techniques and terminology in the job description are reflected in your resume (e.g. Agile, Python, Salesforce CRM, data visualization).
- hint: If you are a recent graduate or changing careers, use Skill summary The section at the top instantly highlights these keywords.

Project Pitch: From Problem to Impact

It’s still important to present the core idea of the project, but the presentation needs to be digestible immediately, especially for recruiters who only have a few seconds to spend the first time.

Use the STAR/CAR approach (or a variation) to frame the points but make the impact a reality opening remarks:

formula: [Bold Metric/Result] + [Action Taken] + [Context/Challenge]
Old method: Spearheaded projects to integrate new financial software.
Modern way (impact first): Quarterly reporting time reduced by 40% (20 hours) By designing and implementing a cloud-based integration layer between SAP and PowerBI.
Indicators are more important: Expressing results is not just saved or earnedalso available as Efficiency improvement (time saving, process automation) and User/Customer Impact (NPS increases, error rate decreases). Quantify everything possible.

The modern interview: It’s a conversation, not an interrogation

The interview process has expanded to include video calls, technical assessments and complex behavioral questions. Preparation is key to a smooth conversation.

Own your story, not just your resume

The advice to “study your resume” is sound, but you need to go further.

Develop a “Story Library”: For each major project or challenge on your resume, prepare a concise, detailed answer that captures the key points (challenge, action, result).
Focus on the “why”: be ready to discuss Decide You did it. Why did you choose this technology? Why did you involve these team members? This shows critical thinking and judge.

Simplicity is a superpower

The forty-five second rule is great, but today, consider “Two-minute deep dive.”

Short answer (The Hook – 30-45 seconds): Start with high-level impacts and your key actions. Stop in and check out to participate. “Would you like me to update you on the technical steps we’ve taken, or should I continue discussing the long-term implications of this project?”
Dive deeper (details – 2 minutes max): Only continue to provide complete technical/process details when prompted. Always be ready to stop and pivot.

whiteboard and screen

personally: Whiteboard presentations are still a powerful move, but reframe it. This is often a Design or system architecture Challenge now. Offer it only if you are ready to solve problems fluently What-if questions Live – A good litmus test is “Can I draw and explain this system in 5 minutes?”
Virtual: For remote interviews, be prepared screen sharing A simple document, mind map, or flowchart used to explain a complex process or system. Test your setup ahead of time.

Find the hiring manager’s pain points

The best interviewers hire people who make their lives easier, which means solving their biggest problems.

problem solving problem

Your modernized version of this old question is very relevant for today, but try asking it in a way that shows you’re already thinking about the core challenges of your work:

“Looking 12 months out, if I were wildly successful in this role, what would be the biggest, most complex problem I would solve for the team? What measurable impact would that have on the business?”

Modern revival and reflection

The advice to use breaks to reset your mindset is smart and still very valid.

Digital reflection: If you have back-to-back virtual interviews, take a 5-minute break to jot down quickly two things You think you succeeded and one thing You need to clarify or resolve it in the next meeting. This focused reflection is more valuable than trying to replay the entire interview.
“cycle”: If you realize you missed a key point in your last interview, you can start your next interview by saying: “Before we begin, I was thinking about my relationship with [Interviewer’s Name] and realize I can provide more accurate details [X Project]. Can I take 30 seconds to clarify? “ This shows self-awareness and attention to detail.

About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman

People hire “Big Game Hunter” Jeff Altman to provide no-nonsense job coaching and career advice around the world because he excels at job hunting And get ahead in your career more easily.

Career Coach Office Hours: May 7, 2024

You’ll find a wealth of information and job search guidance to help you find a job at ⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠

Connected LinkedIn: ⁠

Schedule a discovery call to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me during your job search: ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us.

Should I contact someone on LinkedIn who rejected my job?

He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,000 episodes over 14 years.

We allow this and other articles to be used on your site as long as they include a backlink ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ and states that it is provided by Jeff Altman of The Big Game Hunter as the author or creator. Does not acknowledge his work or provide backlinks ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ Subjects you to a $1,000 fine, which you voluntarily agree to pay. Please contact us to discuss using our content as training data.