Every Moment Is That Moment
In the competitive coliseum of job seeking, you don’t get a second shot at making a first impression.
And let’s be clear: every interaction is an opportunity to sell yourself, irrespective of who’s on the other side of the table.
The market’s brutal, and often, it isn’t the most qualified who win; it’s those who manage to capture and communicate their value proposition most compellingly.
😁 With the Recruiter: Think of recruiters as gatekeepers. Before you reach the higher echelons of decision-making, they’re the ones you need to impress. If you’re holding back, waiting for that hiring manager to really showcase your strengths, you’re playing a dangerous game. Every interaction with a recruiter is a potential elevator pitch opportunity. By not explaining clearly how you can be an asset to the role in question, you’re effectively sidelining your own application.
😁 The Hiring Manager: If you’re banking solely on impressing the hiring manager, you’re assuming you’ll even get to them. There’s a good chance you won’t if the recruiter isn’t convinced of your qualifications or fit. While the hiring manager is crucial, your value proposition has to be evident from the get-go. Don’t wait. By the time you’re in the room with the HM, your value should already be recognized, and this interaction should just be the cherry on top.
Conflicting advice is the nature of the game, especially in the tumultuous world of job seeking on platforms like LinkedIn. But one constant remains: advocating for oneself is non-negotiable. It’s not about bragging; it’s about articulating, with clarity and conviction, the unique value you bring to an organization.
And let me underline this: in this brutal market, you, and only you, are the best advocate for your worth. Don’t hold back, and don’t wait for an “ideal” moment to sell yourself.
Every moment is that moment.
Brian Fink is the author of Tech Talk To Me. He takes on the stress and strain of complex technology concepts and simplifies them for the modern recruiter. Fink’s impassioned wit and humor tackle the highs and lows of technical recruiting with a unique perspective — a perspective intended to help you find, engage, and partner with professionals.
