Niche Job Hunting: Find the Perfect Fit & Avoid the Competition

On Today’s Launch

Free Edition: Stop Chasing Every Job. Start Attracting Your Job.

Plus: How to talk about your current job when you’re interviewing for something with more responsibility.

Subscriber Question: I’m answering a subscriber question about how to present a 20-year career at one company on a resume.

About the Author

I’m James, Cofounder of Final Draft Resumes. I’ve been in the career consulting space for 13 years, and before that, I was a recruiter for AECOM.

I’ve helped thousands of job seekers, from industries like software engineering, IT, sales, marketing, manufacturing, and more generate job opportunities through well-written resumes that translate unique backgrounds into coherent narratives.

If you’re struggling with your resume for whatever reason, reach out - I just might be able to help!

If you’re more of a DIY person, then check out Resumatic, my free-to-try resume builder.

How to Talk About Your Current Role When You're Aiming Higher

We've all been there, haven't we? Stuck in a role that doesn't quite reflect our ambitions, especially when it comes to salary.

You're rocking it in customer service, but you're eyeing those Account Manager or Customer Success Manager gigs.

So, how do you navigate that tricky interview question, "What is your current role?" without getting pigeonholed?

Let's face it, a little LinkedIn title tweak can definitely catch a recruiter's eye. But when it's time to face the interviewer, honesty is still the best policy. So, what's the game plan?

Own your current job, but emphasize growth

You don't have to hide your "Customer Service" title. Instead, use it as a springboard to highlight the skills and experiences that directly relate to the roles you want.

Try this…👇

See what we did there? You acknowledged your current title, but the focus immediately shifted to your impact and how your actions align with your desired career path.

Focus on transferable skills

Let's get real: job titles can be deceiving. It's your skills and accomplishments that truly matter. Think about the overlap between your current responsibilities and those of an Account Manager or Customer Success Manager.

• Have you been building relationships with clients?

• Proactively resolving complex issues?

• Finding ways to increase customer satisfaction?

These are all gold mines! Use them to show that you're not just ready for a new title, but you've already been doing the work.

The STAR method is your best friend

The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a fantastic way to illustrate your capabilities without relying solely on job titles.

Think of a time when you tackled a challenge that would resonate with a hiring manager in your target role.

Briefly describe the situation, the task you undertook, the action you took to resolve it, and the positive result you achieved.

For example: "A key client was unhappy with our response times. I took the initiative to analyze their communication patterns, identified bottlenecks, and implemented a new process that reduced response times by 25%."

Boom! You just showcased problem-solving, initiative, and customer focus, all in one concise story.

Remember:

• Don't apologize for your current title. Own your experience and highlight your achievements.

• Show that you're not just looking for a new job, but a chance to contribute and grow in a role that truly excites you.

• Practice explaining how your current skills translate to your desired role.

Premium Subscriber Questions

Question: I've been with the same company for over 20 years and have held multiple roles. I'm struggling to condense my experience onto a two-page resume. Should I omit some of my earlier positions to fit everything in?

The typical 2-page limit for senior professionals like yourself can be constraining (especially if you’re an IT guy).

It’s important to note though, that this guideline is flexible, and adhering strictly to it can (in some cases) be counterproductive.

In your case, providing a more comprehensive overview of your career journey can help, rather than hurt.

Including additional details of earlier roles can showcase your growth and development within the organization, which can show your value and commitment to the company.

To present this extensive experience, consider the following strategies:

1) Open your resume with a summary that highlights your key achievements and roles throughout your 20-year tenure. This will provide a clear overview of your career trajectory and interest the reader to dive deeper into your experience.

2) When listing your roles, focus on highlighting how you have grown and taken on more responsibilities over time. Emphasize promotions, special projects, and challenges you have overcome.

3) While it is valuable to include a detailed overview of your career history, prioritize roles and achievements that are most relevant to the specific job you’re applying for. If earlier roles are less directly applicable, consider summarizing them.

Hopefully this helps reduce some of that frustration!

Hope you enjoyed this week’s issue. Email me at [email protected] if you’d like me to answer one of your questions in a future issue (In the subject line, preface with ‘PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER QUESTION’) and in your email, mention the email address you used to sign up for the premium subscription.