The Getting to Interview Playbook
Much is written about crafting the "perfect CV," with the promise that interview offers will soon follow. Yet, perfection is subjective, and in the world of executive job seeking, it is not the applicant who adjudicates. Initially, it is not even judged by a human; instead, an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) assesses your CV, focusing solely on one criterion: relevance. Your seemingly perfect but generic CV, along with its tailored cover letter, is almost always deemed unfit for purpose by these automated gatekeepers.
Senior executives wanting to refresh their careers or facing redundancy often find themselves at a disadvantage due to their lack of recent job-seeking experience. While they may have reviewed countless CVs throughout their careers, many haven't written one for themselves in decades. This gap can pose a significant challenge when they transition from evaluating candidates to becoming one.
It’s vital to recognise that relevance is the sole criterion in the initial evaluation of your application. Ensuring your application aligns precisely with the employer’s selection criteria is key to advancing to the interview stage.
Consider Louise, a board member who found herself on 'gardening leave' ahead of redundancy after 18 years with the same biotech company. When we spoke, I learned that her well-written but generic CV, coupled with minimally tailored cover letters, had been sent to over fifty employers without success. There was an evident disconnect between the content and keywords in her applications and those in the job descriptions she was applying for.
I advised her to adopt a more strategic approach. For one particular role, Louise delved deep into researching the company. She identified not only the explicit requirements listed in the job description but also the implicit qualities they valued, such as adaptability and innovative thinking. Together, we overhauled her CV to spotlight her leadership in transformative projects and her ability to navigate changing market conditions. Her cover letter was crafted to speak directly to the company’s recent challenges and how she could drive their goals forward.
- The days of submitting a one-size-fits-all CV are long gone. What worked to get an interview in 1995 simply won’t hack-it in 2024.
This shiftaligning her skills with the JD in strategy made a significant impact. Louise quickly secured an interview and received commendations on her application. By addressing both explicit and implicit selection criteria, she displayed a profound understanding of the company’s needs and positioned herself as an indispensable strategic hire.
- re•al•i•sa•tion
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noun
Example: "She came to the realisation that a different approach was needed"
She began to jot down what she'd discovered:
- Approach Job Applications as Strategic Marketing - Recognise that this is not
merelyremotely an administrative task. Your CV and cover letter must sell your unique value proposition effectively, and this must be adapted to each employer's needs. - Research Employer Needs - Delve into the employer’s real needs and strategic objectives, and examine how these align with your experience. A deep understanding of their competitive landscape, decision-making dynamics, mission, and key challenges is crucial.
- Frame Your Accomplishments - Align your accomplishments with the employer's needs, demonstrating how your past successes make you a
stand-outoutstanding candidate for leadership roles. - Effective Networking - Leverage your professional network to gain insights, uncover opportunities, and secure referrals. Networking is not just about who you know but also who knows you.
- Craft Bespoke Pitches - Tailor your applications and pitches to directly address the specific challenges and requirements of each employer. A generic approach will not suffice at this level.
- Refine Your Personal Brand - Develop your personal brand to clearly signal your leadership qualities and unique value proposition. Your brand is your currency in the executive job market.
Securing a C-Suite or senior executive position is a full-time commitment that requires far more than sending out semi-tailored applications to numerous roles. The key to success lies in the quality and precision of each application.