1000 applicants. Why you?

1000 applicants sitting outside the door, the interviewer asks 'why you?'

What do you say?

A few weeks back I attended a meeting of young entrepreneurs and was the oldest person in the room. 

Despite massively misinterpreting the age bracket for young, I did come away impressed. They were mostly University students riding a new wave of technology, extremely ambitious and optimistic about the future.

One thing I did notice as the resident old man was this. Their point of comparison was other university students +/- 1 year of themselves. This is so different to the reality we all know and navigate.

Universities are siloed environments where you are grouped with people of a similar intellect and age group. It's sterilised compared to the real world which is massive, moves in all different directions and holds no punches.

If you're applying for a role in Dubai for example - you're not just competing with 20 classmates for the top spot. You're up against people from inside the GCC, outside, internationally and from such a wide variety of backgrounds that it's almost impossible to group.

In a field that deep and competitive, the opportunity for a generic answer disappears.

Here's what I mean.

Generic: 'I have 8 years of experience and a strong track record of delivering results.'

That's everyone.

Specific: 'I've spent 8 years launching brands into the GCC from a standing start. I did it in Riyadh when nobody knew us, and I know exactly why most launches stall in month two.'

In competitive markets, experience is assumed. Specificity is what gets results.

What can you draw on from your experience that is so uniquely you? 

(Want to know exactly what I'd see on yours? Get my honest take on your LinkedIn 👈)

My story is well-honed because I interview all the time. In my line of work - it's called a pitch (trying to win new business). I've moved markets three times and started from scratch in each. London, MENA, APAC, you pick up new skills and evolve as an individual. 

Little lessons from these events form the core of that story. I know that when I go in - whether that's Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong or Riyadh - I have my story ready to go and there's a solid chance of me walking away with that business.

My story is unique to me and I firmly believe the only way to truly stand out is to be specific.

Pick a lane and own it. 

Your turn. 

Imagine you're sitting in an interview room. You've got the other 1000 applicants from the LinkedIn advert sitting outside the door waiting for their turn. The interviewer asks, 'why you?'

What do you say?

It's great you have 8 years of experience - what's different about you that comes with them? How confident are you in articulating that across your profile, and saying it out loud without flinching?

LinkedIn profiles are homogeneous. We all get the same template. It's up to you to deliver a message that makes you unique and carry that into your interviews.

What’s the one line only you could say?

That’s how you stand out.

P.S. I speak to people every week who are sending out applications and not hearing back.

I can fix that for you.

I’ll personally review your LinkedIn and tell you exactly what’s holding your search back. I’ll even send it back within 24 hours straight to your inbox.

Get your review 👈

- Charlie.