A Career in the Digital Age – Am I the solution to an organisation’s “problem”??

If you have decided your current job/company offers poor job satisfaction or you are job hunting you might start looking for a new role, employer or even a new career.

If you have decided to look for a new role or career change it is definitely the right time to give your resume (aka CV, personal profile, one pager) or LinkedIn profile a refresh.  Organisations and hiring managers are looking for people who can add value and positively benefit the organisation.  So in order for you to stand out you must show these organisations and hiring managers how you are the “solution” to the very reason why they are recruiting in the first place.  There are 3 key areas that from my experience you should include on your resume and LinkedIn profile:

1. Highlight achievements over responsibilities in your resume

Your resume or LinkedIn profile should not only list your responsibilities but should also include your achievements – this will help highlight the value you can add to an organisation.  These achievements should demonstrate an outcome based on what you have done, for example: “bringing in additional revenue of $500,000 as a result of creating a new commercial pricing model” or “growing revenue by 30%”.  If you can show an achievement that has benefited your customers it will be hugely powerful because most forward-thinking digital organisations want to put their customers at the centre of everything they do.

• Example: Increased sales by 30% in Q2 2023 through targeted marketing strategies.
• Example: Reduced customer support response time by 50% by implementing a new ticketing system.

2. Quantify your achievements on your resume

It’s also worth ensuring you have quantifiable figures for each achievement, such as sales targets ($2m), P&L responsibility ($5m) or even the value of projects delivered ($10m+).  It is also beneficial to demonstrate the scale of your experience, skills and achievements (as they relate to the role you have applied for) as this allows the hiring manager to compare you to other candidates, where you will hopefully stand out.  In a sea of resumes, those with quantified achievements catch the eye. They make your resume more dynamic and impactful compared to those that only list duties and responsibilities.

• Example: “Managed a team of 10 engineers to deliver a project 3 months ahead of schedule, saving the company $100,000.”
• Example: Increased annual revenue by 25% through the implementation of innovative digital marketing strategies.
• Example: “Oversaw a $1 million marketing budget, achieving a 20% ROI.”

3. Solving a potential employer’s “problem”

Your resume should be tailored for each job application to demonstrate how and why you are the “solution” to the organisation’s problem.  You will have completed some research on the organisation to see what they are doing in the market and more importantly what their competition is up to.  Not only should you carry out some research on the organisation, but you should also study the position description and competencies required along with any KPIs. 

This and your research will allow you to tailor your resume to the job you have applied for by highlighting your achievements that are relevant to the role and that might demonstrate that you are the “solution” to the hiring company’s “problem”. It is also worth asking the interviewer and/or hiring manager why the role is available, this should also give you some valuable insights.

Problem: The company needs to increase its revenue or market share.

Solution: You have a history of generating sales, growing customer bases, or expanding into new markets. By sharing your past successes, you prove that you can contribute to the company’s financial goals.

• Example: If you have a track record of boosting sales by 30% through innovative sales techniques, you solve their problem by potentially increasing their revenue.

You are the solution?

Basically, you need to ask yourself, “What value can I bring to this organisation and how can I use my experience and skills to be the “solution” to the organisation’s “problem”?   The “problem” is the reason why the organisation is recruiting for this position in the first place –  you just need to figure out what that problem is and tailor your resume accordingly. When a company hires a new employee, they are essentially looking for a solution to one or more specific problems or needs within their organization. Understanding and addressing these problems in your job application can make you a more attractive candidate.

Recruiters/hiring managers will also check you out on LinkedIn and “Google” you so it is critical your resume and LinkedIn profile are aligned. Not on LinkedIn? Then sign up today.  Your resume and LinkedIn profile all form part of your personal brand, so they need to reflect who you are.

Go on and give your resume and LinkedIn profile the once over today…and remember to check spelling and grammar.

Are you struggling with your job search? Check out Job Hunting Tips: 6 of the Best to Take Charge