This week I want to share the 3-step CV narrative format that convinced hiring managers why I was the right candidate for the role even when I was moving industry and role.
I call it “The Persona Fit Method". Here is how it works:
When I started my career change journey, I made one big mistake: I stuffed all keywords into my CV like every other candidate and hoped they would pick me over another candidate who has done exactly the same.
This drove me crazy! I thought I was playing the game everyone suggests, but I kept on getting rejection emails and worse: no response at all.
Luckily, The Persona Fit Method to write a CV narrative solved the problem - here’s how:
Step #1: I networked to gain insider information.
The BRIDGE networking framework explains step by step how to network for your career change.
I gathered two key facts to make my narrative a unique fit for the hiring manager:
- What is the problem the hiring manager is looking to solve with this hire?
- What skillset does the hiring manager want to add with the new hire which is missing in the team?
I call it "Elite Intel": the insights you cannot find on the job spec. So when the hiring manager reads the CV that’s been referred by an insider, they will feel like “oh yes, this is what I want" not "oh, this sounds like everyone else”.
Step #2: I audited my experience to tailor my narrative.
I did not overcomplicate this. I wrote down the insights I gained from networking and planned to match them.
Insights I got:
- Problem: Grow the SaaS software business in a new region with no local customer reference.
- Skillset: Go To Market knowledge, Sales & Marketing collaboration, resilience and risk taker.
I did not have direct experience but I found transferrable skills to match that.
Past Experience:
I worked at Harman (a Samsung subsidiary company) where I helped the audio brand JBL to launch in a new market and made it the #1 brand in the audio category in Ireland ahead of Bose and Sonos.
B2B hardware Sales and software subscription Sales have very different approaches but I focused on the system.
Step #3: I painted the picture of what I would do if I got the job.
Most people talk about themselves and fall into the I-Me-My-Marathon but forget that the hiring manager is human - not an AI who just cares about keywords.
Here is how I painted the picture in a human way:
I imagined the hiring manager was having a coffee chat and discussing the plan for the business. Instead of pitching, we are having a conversation to build credibility.
What hiring managers want is someone who can come and do the job without hand-holding.
When you speak their language and talk about their concerns - you have won the major battle.
Here is my example:
5+ years of experience in commercial roles in Sales, Marketing and Finance with a track record of launching a category in a new region by analyzing the market need and building propositions that add value without cannibalizing the category.
Go-To-Market achievements:
- Launching JBL and making it the #1 brand in the audio category in Ireland.
- Worked closely with the Marketing team to execute digital and in store campaigns that drove strong pre sales.
Currently taking online courses from HubSpot to build essential SaaS Sales skills to prospect, present, negotiate and close enterprise customers.
Volunteering at a startup in London to gain practical experience of outbound Sales strategies using the MEDDIC methodology to expand the business into new markets.
There are 3 competitive advantages of using The Persona Fit Method:
You stand out even if you come from a non-traditional background: I knew exactly what hiring managers wanted to read by having networked using the BRIDGE framework.
Everyone wants to feel heard and understood, and my narrative did exactly that. E.g. I mentioned "focus on expansion in the region" not just once, but 3 times to make the message stick.
You stand out from the competition with evidence: Most people take a shortcut and copy paste the same narrative, or worse: they don’t even write one. To make a career change, you need a narrative - because you do not have a traditional background.
The best way to make people believe is your actions - past examples and future action plans.
You connect with the story: Humans are wired to connect with stories. A narrative that weaves your skills and experiences into a journey makes it memorable. My personal journey of changing careers and risk-taking was exactly the character trait the hiring manager was looking for in the new hire.
And that’s it.
That’s the Persona Fit Method of writing a CV narrative to change your career path. Try it and let me know how it works for you. If you have a question, hit reply and I will answer it asap.
And, of course, if you want personalized mentorship and an accountability partner to make the career change happen - fill in the form and get strategies on what you can do to change your career path.
Until next week.
Gaurav