- Top 10 Questions to Help Define What You Know How to Do
- Top 5 Strategies for Leveraging Knowledge, Experiences, and Skills
- Conclusion
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Top 5 Strategies for Leveraging Knowledge, Experiences, and Skills
When you are preparing your list of things you know, the things you know how to do, your skills, your experiences, and your perceptions of them, there are several strategies that might help. In summary fashion, here are five that I rely on:
- Frame it.
In your resume and in interviews, frame your view or perception of what you know and be prepared to defend your knowledge. Some may want to challenge what you know. That's okay. Don't be modest and don't be arrogant about what you know. Have multiple resumes available that frame and emphasize different skill sets. And use verbs and strong words in these resumes to get the employers'/recruiters' attention.
And finally as you prepare to frame and defend your view, make a folder for your transcripts, certifications, and other documents. If you can, scan them digitally and convert them to PDF format so that you have them ready to go when someone requests them. That is how you frame and defend what you know.
- Be honest.
Be honest and don't lie about your skills. If you have not done XYZ, and you are asked, then say you have not done XYZ, but that you are willing to learn. If you are in the position of preparing your skills, earning a degree, tell them that if asked.
Don't be afraid to apply for a job that you don't have all the skills for. You might get a lead that directs you to the job you have been looking for.
- Take control.
When in an interview, phone or in person, ask the interviewer if they like their job and the company. This changes the dynamic of the interview and allows you to take control of the interview. This also gives the interviewer a different perception of you.
- Remember that rejection is a learning experience.
Rejection is okay. You reject things and opportunities all the time. You will be rejected more than you will be accepted—that's a fact. When rejected, move on to the next opportunity. Or you may have to reframe your credentials and what you know how to do. You might also want to get professional advice on your resume presentation.
- Do the research.
Research how your talents and skills are named in a job. This is a key. You may know what you want to do, but one employer might call it one thing and another might call it a completely different title.
I faced this situation just recently. Some folks call what I have done a systems engineer, while others call it a network engineer. They are different based on who is doing the calling. Just like companies use the following titles for the same job:
- Trainer
- Training manager
- Training and development
- Education manager
- Technical training manager
Which is the title that works for you and for the company you are looking at? That is a key. So do the research. You might be searching for a job under one title and it is listed under a completely different heading.