Elaine’s blog

The A level results this year were more acute for me because my own son was one of the candidates for a university place. It struck me how competitive the process has become, given the number of 18 year olds and the general push for them to enter higher education.  There’s also a  question mark over whether , for all their education, they will all find gainful employment at the end of their extended studies. It’s not clear whether the work that will be available to them will match up to the qualifications they can already wave in front of prospective employers.  It won’t be whether they can just wave pieces of paper, but whether they can talk about their experiences in a way which matches the employer needs.

This is very close to home for me now. I have been self-employed for 10 years and I still have to compete for work. I routinely present myself to selectors who may have read my CV and who have thought me worthy of a conversation - but I don’t always win the work as much as I used to. It’s no good my being complacent that I have always won work, so why wouldn’t that continue? In fact, the interim and consultancy market gets bigger all the time - there are always fresh, new people coming into my marketplace, with freshly pressed CVs and up to date experience. Complacency is not a competence that anyone can sell.

So, it’s not enough to keep the CV up to date, any more than it is for those 18 year olds to wave their A levels certificates at university admissions tutors. I have to talk the good story that my CV summarises. I have to recall and relate the practical experience that I have acquired and convince the selectors that my skill set meets their needs, that through my abilities and methods I can bring solution to their problems. If I can’t remember my stories of how I have solved problems before and what I have learned, how am I going to convince others that I have value to add to their business?

I am embarking on a new analysis of my work experience and my learning as preparation for future bids. I want to show prospective clients that I do know what I am talking about and I need to bring my CV to life in that 45 minute slot that they offer me.

No more complacency! Do the homework and make your mark!