Shifting Focus

It can be a hard thing to do. We all get set in our ways and to begin to change things can be a real challenge. I had noticed that in the last month, despite the fact I am now arguably more employable, I had been getting less success with my applications, less responses and less interviews. This didn't make sense, until I realised something important.

My approach was wrong. I was keen to state how although I was inexperienced I was willing to learn. My C.V catalogued my positions of authority at university and how they demonstrated useful business skills. My covering letter explained how a group project had given me harsh deadlines to produce a large project.

All of which are irrelevant now. I have been working in a marketing management role for 2 months +. I have produced articles for deadlines on a website, I have been to meetings, written a strategy, liased, networked and carried out day to day marketing duties. Stating that I learned all these useful skills at University is actually hampering my progress. What I should say is I have demonstrated all these things, practiced and used the skills I have learned. I am not prepared for working in business, I am working in business. I cannot imagine the strange impression I have been given employers. "This candidate manages all marketing for a small organisation, yet all he wants to talk about is how his university societies taught him to deal with regular meetings and how a group project gave him team experience." Something does not add up.

I may have only been in the role for a few months, but my experiences in it trump the academic, I just wish I could have been quicker on the up take. My C.V is now dramatically reduced and my covering letter template for ever changed. If there is any general lesson to learn from this it is that as situations change you have to really consider every little aspect which you are showing employers. Does it reflect you now, or you of the past and what can you do to represent yourself better.