Skill up; Digitisation is here to stay.

The competition is surely on as we continue to hire the best and the brightest for our LEAP clientele. What defines “the best and the brightest” and how has this overall category rank evolved with leading companies extending remote working for at least another year?

Before March 2020, most Job interviews in final stage required an in-person interview where a person could really use human communication skills to strengthen their chance at being selected for a role. Conversing in person gives even the shyest person a better opportunity to sell themselves and promote. Most would agree an in person meeting offers that last chance maneuver where even a handshake is analysed and overall demeanor. Sadly, these days are gone for quite some time so how should Candidates position to get that leading edge to win?

LEAP recently polled 5 Hiring Managers from the following sectors Digital Media, Enterprise Technology, Cybersecurity, Quantitative Hedge Funds and the Cryptocurrency spaces. Some questions included:

1.       What is the first thing you look at on a resume?

2.       How long does it take by phone to tell if someone is right for a role?

3.       Is it common to discover dishonesty in Director level and above resumes?

The answers to the above have shared common themes and are all remarkably similar.

For (1.) every hiring manager looks at skill sets and Certifications first and foremost. It’s been nearly five months since we have all been locked down. The consensus is most professionals are skilling up and upgrading their professional profiles with so much extra time on everyone’s hands.

Note to all Job Seekers: Certifications can be pricey but there are some FREEBIES out there so just showing you’re actively learning and constantly improving to respond to a Digital environment is a clear winning approach. Send us a note for more information here.

Funny enough, the answers to (2.) were also mostly the same. Hiring managers know exactly what they are looking for and your attitude is number one when interviewing for a job and it shows so clearly. One Hiring Manager gave a great example of enjoying a positive energetic can-do attitude for one Candidate who was not as qualified as the others. The Hiring Manager actually reached out to us at LEAP and asked if the Candidate would consider a different role at the same company because this person showed great potential.

Note to all Job Seekers: Being human is actually to your benefit and you can control your own destiny.

For the answers to question (3.) only 3/5 Hiring Managers had shared they had experienced or discovered for themselves a Candidate was not being truthful. We find it difficult to share this is actually happening and not only is it “no bueno” as we say in Miami, it is just really bad mojo.

Note to all Job Seekers: Please be truthful on your resume and value everyone’s time, your chance will come when there is a fit for the real you. We will help you at LEAP.

Finally, for this specific skill up Blog Post we urge you to not only be transparent (and this includes both sides of the hiring process) but we strongly encourage everyone to be as creative as possible within reason. If you are hiring and the current times are challenging, present a world of awesome to those applying for roles. If you are seeking, be responsive and timely if a Recruiter reaches out to you as this is one of the most competitive environments the world has ever seen.

May the force be with you this week. To learn more about LEAP please contact us here. We are open to advising all Job Seekers on how best to present themselves and to advising those hiring on how best to capture great people in unique ways.