Career track: How do you differentiate yourself when job hunting?

One of my alma maters, the University of Exeter, recently invited me to give a talk on the above subject to the younger alumni fraternity.  Quite a wide topic, I thought to myself, one that could easily stretch over a series of courses! Given that this was a careers-related talk and I had a mere 10 minutes in which to convey my thoughts, the assumption was that my talk would revolve around the CV/resumé. 

But as I gave this topic further consideration, something dawned on me. In order to give my answer, I needed to give it some context.  I could do this by making three assumptions and observations.

The first was that we have to assume that your passion and excellence in your chosen professional field already exists. What I have to say below is based on this premise. If you don't have that foundation of being *passionate* and *ambitious* in your chosen field of expertise, you have to consider why you don't have it (in fact, did it exist at all?), and if you did have it but feel it's fading (or disappeared), then how do you 'get your mojo back'? If the passion and hunger isn't there, perhaps now is the time to be true to yourself and think about other career alternatives. 

Moreover, whilst a CV is considered a snapshot of your career to date, it can also be a snapshot of who you are as a person.  The CV/resumé is your personal branding tool. It's a moving, living, breathing instrument to help you further your personal career aims. As you grow, mature and develop, this will help you evolve your CV.  Treat it like your diary which needs updating from time to time.  The next time your recruiter asks if you have an updated CV, don't think, "Oh no, not again!".

And finally, we place too much emphasis to conform to perceived 'society norms and values'. We conform by wearing the same style of clothes as everyone else, by being seen at the same bars, restaurants and holiday destinations and aspiring to live in the same area as their peers. Even our outlooks in life are looking increasingly the same. And because of this emphasis to conform, we find it more and more difficult to differentiate ourselves from one another.  

 

"...whilst a CV is considered a snapshot of your career to date, it can also be a snapshot of who you are as a person."   

 

Which leads us back to the CV/resumé. Society’s pressure on people to conform, no matter how you look at it, means that fewer CVs are standing out in a positive way as much as they can and should. For those who recognise this and want to stand out, there’s the opposite trap you can easily fall into. Namely that, some CVs I see appear to be over compensating for perceived deficiencies in their career history.  

Thus, there is what I’d term the “under-cooked and over-cooked” characteristics commonly seen in many CV profiles, particularly with fresh or recent graduates, or (strangely) those with 20 years' or more of experience. 

In other words, candidates either are under-emphasising (or not highlighting at all) personal qualities or attributes, or achievements in their lives, so that the CV doesn't really stand out on any front. Or, they are over-emphasising experiences or studying so many courses that the quantity becomes unnecessary or even detrimental to their job application. We'll take a look at each in more detail below.

The exceptionally dull ('under-cooked') CV 

There are no two ways to put it. These CVs are likely to put the reader to sleep! Here are some areas which are not emphasised enough, or at all, on a CV/resumé.

1. Not highlighting activities or passions outside of work.  Taking part in events or some activity show you developing your character in a positive light and widening your general outlook in life (e.g. travel, volunteer-based activities) are worthy of mention. Have kids? Then, actively supporting your child through soccer or art classes and getting active in parent associations show you have a busy life that relies on organisation (getting the kids to classes on time) and communication (influencing others, for example on the allocation of sports budgets or what trips to go on). 

2. Not showing how you developed your communication or inter-personal skills.  This can include, for example, taking a lead on a project and co-ordinating several co-workers to achieve the project's objectives, playing in an orchestra, a hockey or rowing team, or other team based activities, undertaking a part time job during your studies or during your vacation, or if you're a lawyer in private practice, being a regular speaker at client seminars.  You may not realise it, but these examples can demonstrate those communication skills.

3. Not highlighting your achievements. If you’re an undergraduate or recent graduate, get out there and achieve something!  How many people in your year have volunteered to help teach kids in Cambodia (or in your own city of Hong Kong for that matter!), raised money for their charity or church of choice? Remember, your academic ability is assumed by the employer based on what you put on your CV (but needs to be verified by transcripts and certificates at the time of offer, of course). So differentiating yourself requires showing your abilities outside the classroom. If you have a number of years at work, can you show you've taken on CSR or voluntary (pro bono) projects? Are you one of your organisation's top billers? Have you brought in significant business to your employers?  Remember, if you're a junior lawyer, no one expects you to bring in business, so even if you bring in some business, no matter how small, is going to highly impress your existing employers. If you're in sales or operations, did you help the company achieve substantial costs savings in any area? 

"Society’s pressure on people to conform, no matter how you look at it, means that fewer CVs are standing out in a positive way as much as they can and should."
 

4. Not showing sufficient interest in the profession you want to work in. For under or recent graduates, you can show your desire to specialise in a profession by gaining an internship at a good quality law firm, barristers’ chambers, accountancy firm, bank, supply chain company, or other company you wish to develop your career in (emphasis added). Remember, you need to make your CV standout. The organisation where you intern should be well known and well respected in its field, so aim for the top. Just as organisations are hiring the best candidates, one indicator of how good you can be is where you interned. If the employer sees that you have interned with a good quality organisation, chances are, you will have undergone a rigorous assessment with that firm, and they will interpret that the hiring manager at that organisation rated you sufficiently to offer you an internship.  So, part of the 'ground work' of assessing you as a candidate has partly been done.

On the flip side, however, there's just trying too hard (see below). 

5. Not polishing your language skills.  Nowhere is this point more acute than in Hong Kong.  This goes both ways in that my point relates to your spoken and written English, as well as spoken and written Chinese, particularly Mandarin. If you are in the legal or other professional industries, communication skills are crucial to your job application. If you cannot articulate yourself in both spoken and written form, acknowledge this issue, and address it through additional classes or courses. 

The 'I'm trying way too hard' ('overcooked') CV

Here are some examples of the ‘over’ (as in over-emphasis or over-compensating qualities on your CV):

a) Taking on 5 or 6 internships…when just one will do.  Yes, ONE! One quality and relevant internship is all you need.  If you gain that one quality internship with a well known organisation in the industry of your choice (either during or soon after your higher education studies), it means that for the remainder of your vacation periods and spare time you can focus on other aspects of personal growth and development (travel, volunteer work, playing in a band, writing a blog, for example, and not spending all vacation playing on your Xbox or Playstation).  Unless there are excellent skill sets you gained (e.g. communication, negotiation, or organisational skills) and the place you interned is not a quality or particularly well known organisation, consider carefully whether including the internship on your CV will help or hinder your job application.   

In addition, undertaking 5 or 6 internships could have certain negative connotations:  

• doing such high number of internships in the same industry can be interpreted as ‘not having a life outside of the work setting’.  In other words, the perception is that you haven’t developed a well-rounded and balanced character/personality, particularly if you don't detail any social activities which demonstrate your inter-personal skills on your CV

      or... 

• doing these internships in different industries could be interpreted as being indecisive in what you wish to do in the long term (such that there is a chance you won’t last long in your first job and potentially you will start to jump from one industry to another during your career, which could potentially mean career-building suicide, unless you are exceptional or there is a perceived logic in the steps you are taking. Note however, such perceived logic is subjective, so if your line of thinking is shared by the hiring manager, you’re on to a winner. If not, then you would have to find other ways to convince the hiring manager why they should hire you. 

Remember, if you are a recent graduate, employers don’t expect you to have a great deal of work experience. Some experience will suffice. If you have done that many internships because you genuinely wanted to try out work in different industries, then tailor your CV to your target audience. If you are applying for training contracts (for solicitors), consider which internships will help with your application.  An internship with a law firm is great, and adding one with a top tier accounting firm could also be useful. An internship at a pharmacy, however, probably won't enhance your profile.  Whilst I'm not criticising a pharmacy internship per se it's not congruent with your objectives (of gaining a training contract) or with who or what you are targeting (a law firm).  Unless, of course, you're applying for a training contract with a law firm which is well known for personal injury or professional indemnity work.   

b) Studying for 2 or more post-graduate degree courses, unless the industry you wish to work in requires that you do.  For example in the legal sector, your 2 postgraduate courses could consist of the diploma in law, LLM or JD in conjunction with the PCLL or the US Bar.  Do 3 or more postgraduate courses (particularly before you've even started your professional career track) and you could be seen as being ‘too academic’ or being less suited to a professional career compared with the rest of the competition.  How?  

After many years of study, where you set your own timetable and can process your work at your own pace, you could find it very difficult to adapt to a fast-paced professional working environment or be unwilling to learn from your peers once you enter this new working culture, especially if they are of a similar age or younger than you. Of course, gaining an independent mindset has much to be commended. But consider that, if you are so used to being independent and determining what you do and when at a very early stage, you might struggle to work in an inter-dependent working environment (ie where goals and tasks are reliant on teamwork set to tight deadlines).  Hence why some people are turning to launching start-up businesses instead. From an employer's perspective, however, you could be seen as difficult to manage.

That’s not to say you can’t undertake postgraduate courses throughout your career (in fact that can be looked upon quite favourably, and indeed, in many situations is highly encouraged). But let’s say you’ve spent another 5 years studying straight after your undergraduate degree. That could have been 5 years of invaluable professional training and experience that your peers gained when they sought jobs on graduating from their undergraduate course.  At that point, your peers who graduated at the same time as you are entering management level.   

c) Long gaps in between courses or jobs without showing that you have filled that time constructively. If you’ve had to take time out of work because of personal health or family issues, then employers can sympathise with the situation. There is no point in hiding that fact. But to the extent possible, showing that you’ve kept your mind active during this time will show to employers that you’ve ‘kept the engine running whilst it’s parked’ (though admittedly that’s not a good analogy for those environmentally in tune among you!) and would indicate that you haven’t lost your core skills. 

The important message to underline is that your CV needs to show balance – a balance between your academic achievements, your ambition to pursue a career (in law or other choice of profession) and developing your personal attributes and qualities. 

So, how do you differentiate yourself?  

In order to address the above issues, consider the following: 

1. Never stop learning

An obvious example would be if you work in the legal industry in Hong Kong and you don’t know any Chinese, or your level of Chinese isn’t to the level required in the profession of your choice, think about spending 6-12 months (24 months, if you want to get to a level of high fluency) studying intensely in China in order to become more marketable.  If you take this route, consider avoiding the major cities where you are more likely to talk in your own native language. Also, post-graduate studies during your career (and not before you embark on your career) will add to your expertise. 

2. Never under-estimate the importance of continual personal development and growth 

And I don’t mean snoozing or staring at your phone whilst you accumulate CPD points at a professional training course! Identify an activity you can feel passionate about. You can attend seminars, read self-help books (learn all about non verbal communication, for example), take up a sport, undergo a body transformation (keep fit), develop a passion for one or more activities (such as volunteer work), take up a cookery course, train for a marathon or Iron Man competition, go on the road less travelled (have you considered travelling across western China, India, Africa or South America?). Frankly, pursue any activity that genuinely interests you.  Don’t do something because you think it will look cool on your CV, or else, you will quickly become unstuck when you are asked to talk about it at interview. 

One of the advantages of living in a city like Hong Kong is that you have a wonderful countryside on your doorstep.  To some in Hong Kong, hiking, trailblazing, mountain biking, cycling, sailing or marathon running are a common weekend activity.   My passion is photography and learning about the creative industries.  What’s your passion?

3. Be your authentic, true self. 

If you try too hard to conform, you then fall back into the trap of being anonymous.  By being your authentic, true self, and always putting your best foot forward (learning activities you want to do, improving your wardrobe and hair styling, hygiene and grooming) you will quickly find that you can differentiate yourself from the pack.  

4. Build deeper, meaningful relationships.

Whether it be with your co-workers, intermediaries, clients, friends, or family, they are all connected through you.  Doing this will help you develop your authentic, true self (as above). 

"The important message to underline is that your CV needs to show balance"

5. Develop your style 

This goes back to the initial point where people are too scared to be different.  In order to 'not stand out from the crowd' they conform by making their appearance the same as everyone else. Whether you are climbing up the career ladder or looking to impose authority or command respect among your peers, first impressions always count. Consider investing in the services of a wardrobe and/or hair stylist, go to a reputable tailor or high end clothing store, and get their views on what fashion style would suit you. Speak to a make-up artist to ask for suggestions on what colours and tones suit you best for a certain look (certainly an 'office look' will differ from when you're out socialising with friends or attending a cocktail event).

6.  Hire a coach

In this day and age, you would hire a tutor to help you learn a foreign language, or to help you scuba dive, or learn to cook. Why not hire a professional coach to help you develop your character and career?

Conclusion 

It's not the outcome of one of these aims but a combination of them all that will help you develop that magical quality to your CV and differentiate yourself from the rest. If you find that you are lacking success in gaining an interview, it might be that certain areas of your CV need to addressed (the layout, the content, the quantity, and the quality). However, if you're being invited to multiple interviews but not getting the offers, it's clear you must be doing something right with your CV (again, the layout, the content, the quantity, and the quality), but something might have to be addressed with your interview technique or style.

Where interviews fail to get you to the next interview stage, it might be the delivery of the content of your CV at the meeting.  Then again, the lack of offers might be down to circumstances completely out of your control (the budget might get withdrawn during the interview process, there could be a change in their hiring requirements or a change in personnel in the team you interviewed with meaning that their requirements could differ from the previous incumbent hiring manager). But don't worry about those, focus on things you can control — your CV, your interview technique, your achievements and your persona. With fine tuning, you should go a long way in differentiating yourself on your CV and in interviews.

Some readers might be thinking that I'm encouraging something unrealistic and we need to rest and make the most of our time as a student by simply doing nothing or winding down playing computer consoles with friends.  I'm not advocating that you burn your controller and consign it to the shredder. But all things in moderation. Of course you can make time to play the latest iteration of Grand Theft Auto. But you should also make the time to get involved in activities that constructively help with your personal development and social skills. 

It's very difficult to differentiate yourself purely based on your academic achievements. And standing out amongst the crowd is not something that can happen overnight. It's a long term objective and long term journey of self development.  Some people may have a head start on you because they started the process of standing out during their school years.  If you are finding it difficult to differentiate yourself from your competitors, now is the time to accept this and to start to make that change with the suggestions set out above. With the first foot forward, you can then start the process to enable you to achieve your own unique brand. 

 

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