Why are strengths shown in the profile?
In any CV, your profile is what people read first and, based on this, they decide whether to read further.
When deciding to watch a video, for example, on you tube, a viewer bases their decision on the thumbnail image, the title and description.
Similarly, in C-Me, a viewer needs to decide whether to press play and watch your video intro or not. So we display summary information about yourself in your profile. The information is minimal because they need to assess it very quickly, in about 6 seconds. So, other than your name and location, the profile shows just the following:
- Your role
- Your strengths (between 3 and 6)
- What you are looking for
In this short blog, we are focusing on your strengths and how to work out what they are. If you are learning more about how to turn your role into an attention-grabbing headline, then see the separate Blog piece on this topic.
OK, let’s look at those strengths of yours…
There is no right and wrong
Strengths allow viewers to get an immediate feel for your capabilities so it’s worth spending a bit of time thinking about them.
That said because you can get insights into how your Video CV is working (through the C-Me dashboard) you can refine them over time. So don’t worry too much if you don’t think they are 100% right – it’s not a right and wrong thing.
What’s your objective?
Like most people, you probably have lots of strengths, so it’s about choosing which ones are right for the purpose.
It’s a good idea to think about what you are trying to achieve. What aspects about yourself are you trying to illuminate? What is most important for the role you are applying for?
Use the right language for the role and industry
Whatever you come up with its essential that your viewers recognise the language. Industries and job functions all have specific terminology that moves with the times, so ensuring that your strengths can speak to your audience in a language that they engage with is critical.
Use concrete language
Try and use concrete language rather than abstract terms, as it allows the reader to more easily understand what sort of person you are.
Hard & soft strengths
It’s not a bad idea to have a mix of hard and soft strengths.If your role has any team element than it’s a good idea to ensure that you have included some softer people related strengths.
Skills vs Strengths
Strengths are more about your character and experience than skills acquired through training. But if you have a skill that is unique and hugely advantageous, then it makes sense to include it.
Dealing with challenges can bring out your strengths
Sometimes it takes a difficult situation to bring out some fundamental characteristics and strengths. So it’s often worth thinking about a recent challenge you overcame at work (or perhaps personally). How did you deal with it? What skills and experience did you draw on to overcome the challenge?
Ask others
Maybe ask your friends, colleagues or co-workers to tell you what they think your strengths are? They often come up with things that you might not have thought of yet.
Tailor for employers
Suppose you have got lots of different strengths. In that case, you could tailor them for certain employers, especially if you know what sort of people they might be looking for, or the type of people they employ.
Of course, you must stay true to yourself because you need to be comfortable in any role you find yourself employed.
Test them out
When you have pulled your strengths together, then it’s a good idea to pressure test them a bit. You can do this by asking yourself:
- Where have your strengths been used recently?
- Would someone you would use as a reference confirm them?
- Would your family and friends agree? (perhaps you could ask them?)
Finally, why not start now…!
Hopefully, this blog has given you some ideas. Now let’s get started… follow these steps…
- Give yourself 10 minutes to jot down everything you can think of. Don’t hold back.
- Read back over this blog and spend a few minutes refining your strengths based on what you read and your feelings about them.
- Add your strengths into your C-Me profile.
- Either ask someone whose opinion you value for their input, or just run with them for your first Video CV.
Wishing you the best in your search for the perfect job…
