Your Job Search Edge: What Recruiters Really Want to See
Leila Singh
Leadership & Career Development & Mindset Coach to High-Performing, Mid to Senior-Level Tech Industry Professionals - helping them to secure their next Promotion & Step into Leadership | Keynote & TEDx Speaker
Greetings and welcome to my Newsletter: Leadership in Tech - Your Competitive Advantage! – Here to Support Your Leadership Journey.
I'm thrilled to introduce you to this weekly newsletter, tailored exclusively for high-achieving, ambitious, and driven professionals like yourself - who are actively pursuing leadership positions, aiming for that next promotion, striving for peak performance, and seeking to cultivate an unmistakable personal brand that sets you apart.
In this issue -
?Featured Article: Your Job Search Edge: What Recruiters Really Want to See
?mi-brand Hub: "How committed are you to securing your next pay-rise or promotion"
?Featured Podcast: Anna Murray - On Job Search Challenges: Pro Tips from a Recruitment Expert
?Ways to Work With Me
?Further Resources to Support Your Career Growth Journey
?Take a sneak peek into our upcoming newsletter content.
Your Job Search Edge: What Recruiters Really Want to See
In today’s competitive job market, standing out is no longer optional—it’s essential.
With record-high numbers of applicants per role, recruiters are often overwhelmed by sheer volume, and candidates need to rethink their approach to rise above the crowd.
But how do you make an impression when your CV is one of hundreds in a recruiter’s inbox?
I recently had the privilege of interviewing Anna Murray, a recruitment expert with over 20 years of experience, on my Life Leadership Podcast.
She shared invaluable insights into the current job market, the mistakes many job seekers are making, and actionable strategies to stand out. Whether you're actively looking for a new role or simply want to future-proof your career, her advice is a goldmine of information.
Here are the key takeaways from our conversation, along with actionable tips you can implement today to unlock your career potential.
??1. The Reality of the Job Market
Anna painted a stark picture of the current job market. “Vacancy numbers in the UK are at a low level and have been dropping steadily since late 2022,” she explained. While this can feel disheartening, it’s important to understand that the challenges aren’t personal—it’s a tough market for everyone.
However, there is a silver lining. “Niche skills, particularly in tech, remain in demand,” Anna noted. This means that tailoring your approach to highlight specific skills and expertise can make a significant difference.
??Action Step:
Evaluate your skills. Are there niche areas you can emphasize or develop further? If you're in a field where demand remains steady, double down on showcasing your expertise.
??2. Tailor Your CV: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
One of the most impactful pieces of advice Anna shared was about CVs: “It’s not enough to dust off an old CV and send it out for multiple applications. Each CV needs to be tailored to the specific role.”
She emphasized the importance of ensuring that your most relevant experience appears on page one. Recruiters spend only a few minutes—or even seconds—on each CV, so your key skills and achievements need to be front and centre.
Anna also highlighted the “so what” factor: “Every bullet point on your CV should tell the recruiter what you achieved and the impact it had. Don’t just list responsibilities—quantify your results.”
??Action Steps:
Tailor your CV for every role. Highlight the skills and experience most relevant to the job.
Use metrics and results wherever possible (e.g., “Delivered a 25% increase in sales within 6 months”).
Avoid generic personal statements. Instead, use a short, compelling summary that shows what you’re looking for and how you can contribute to the role.
??3. LinkedIn: Your Personal Brand Online
A CV isn’t the only tool recruiters use to assess candidates. Increasingly, LinkedIn is becoming a critical part of the job search process. Anna shared that recruiters often cross-check LinkedIn profiles alongside CVs to build a fuller picture of the candidate.
“Your LinkedIn profile needs to be aligned with your CV,” she said. “Ensure that dates, roles, and skills match up. Also, take advantage of LinkedIn’s skills section—recruiters use these to search for candidates.”
Anna also advocated for using the green “Open to Work” banner. While some candidates worry it might make them look desperate, Anna explained, “As a recruiter, I’m more likely to approach someone with the banner because I know they’re actively looking and more likely to respond.”
??Action Steps:
Update your LinkedIn profile to match your CV.
Add relevant skills to your profile and keep them up to date.
Use the “Open to Work” banner to increase visibility.
??4. The Power of Networking
“Networking is often overlooked as part of the job search process,” Anna said. Yet it remains one of the most effective ways to uncover opportunities.
Many roles aren’t even advertised publicly, so building connections within your target industry can help you access the hidden job market. Anna emphasized the importance of cultivating relationships before asking for help. “If you’re going to reach out to someone for a favour, make sure you’ve put in the effort first—have an updated CV, a polished LinkedIn profile, and a clear idea of what you’re looking for.”
??Action Steps:
Reconnect with your professional network. Let people know you’re exploring opportunities.
Use LinkedIn to identify mutual connections at companies you’re interested in and ask for informational interviews.
Engage with posts and updates in your industry to increase your visibility.
??5. Interview Like a Pro
Interviews, whether in person or virtual, remain a critical stage in the hiring process. Anna shared tips for succeeding in both formats:
Virtual Interviews: Test your tech beforehand. Ensure your lighting and sound are clear, and position your camera so your face is centred in the frame. Virtual interviews lack the rapport-building opportunities of in-person meetings, so it’s even more important to be personable and prepared.
In-Person Interviews: First impressions matter. Anna shared that some interviewers even ask receptionists for feedback on how candidates behaved when they arrived. “Your interview starts the moment you walk through the door,” she said.
??Action Steps:
For virtual interviews, check your setup in advance and eliminate potential distractions.
Prepare a few anecdotes or stories that showcase your skills and align with the role.
Research your interviewers on LinkedIn to find common ground you can mention during the interview.
??6. Authenticity in Leadership
Finally, Anna spoke about the importance of authenticity, both in the job search and as a leader. Reflecting on her journey into leadership, she shared how stepping into her own style transformed her confidence. “Initially, I mirrored how others managed, but it wasn’t until I embraced my own approach that I felt truly effective.”
Being authentic isn’t just for leaders—it’s a trait recruiters value in candidates too. Whether you’re writing a CV, attending an interview, or networking, being yourself is key to building genuine connections and standing out.
??Action Step:
Take a moment to reflect on your personal brand. Are you showing up as your true self in your CV, LinkedIn profile, and interviews?
??Final Thoughts
The job market may be tough, but by tailoring your approach, showcasing your unique strengths, and leveraging tools like LinkedIn and networking, you can stand out and secure the role you want.
As Anna Murray so eloquently put it: “Recruiters want to help, but you need to make it easy for them to see why you’re the right candidate.”
"How committed are you to securing your next pay-rise or promotion"
I recently reached out to past and current clients and asked them to share how working with me had contributed to an increase in their packages as well as subsequent promotions.
The average was a 47% increase in package, & each of them had received at least one promotion or accepted a new opportunity elsewhere.
Many people working in the corporate world tend to shy away from investing in themselves unless the company has a budget to pay for their development, but why is that?
Why wouldn’t you invest in yourself if that could mean an increase in your income & in your position within your organisation or industry?
I often hear, “my employer will benefit therefore they should invest in me!” Indirectly they may benefit, but ultimately you are the one that experiences personal & professional growth.
Like exercise, this is not an overnight process; the sooner you begin, the sooner you will see results.
So if you want to finally get that promotion or pay rise you know you deserve, change company or career, enhance your reputation as an authority within your market, it’s time to invest in your personal brand!
And if you are seeking a new role, perhaps your job is at risk, or you are simply feeling stuck in your career, not knowing how to move forward, then I invite you to check out my recent podcast episodes filled with incredible value, sharing strategies and ideas for your career planning and growth journey, whilst taking a pro-active approach!
Link to my podcast -
Life Leadership with Leila Singh? - All things Coaching, Career and Personal Brand https://anchor.fm/leila-singh
Featured Guest Podcast: Anna Murray - On Job Search Challenges: Pro Tips from a Recruitment Expert
In this episode of the Life Leadership podcast, Anna shares with us –
How can you work with me?
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Here I will be by your side supporting you on your Career Growth & Development journey – to become Leadership ready, secure your next promotion, and develop a stand-out reputation in the workplace. Book a call with me to evaluate whether this is a good fit for us.
Invitation: Want my help with progressing your career to Promotion or into Leadership?
Book a free 30-minute “Career Growth Game Plan” Call with me –
Where we will:
1.Evaluate where you are at now and where you want to be
2.Explore your next steps and career vision
3.Identify the areas for development & Develop a Quick Action Plan
And if you’d like my help to implement the plan, we can talk about that at the end of the call. I look forward to meeting you!
Or email me at: [email protected]
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And here are FURTHER RESOURCES you can access -
-- which introduces you to the six pillars it is critical for you to master when developing your personal brand, essential for your ongoing career success, and includes best practices that you can implement right away, as well as a Brand Assessment to score where you are right now!
- where you can watch over 50+ Podcast Video Interviews with Outstanding Leaders from the Tech Industry who share their career journey, overcoming adversity and challenges, learnings and insights and what is possible when it comes to your career – awe-inspiring!! As well as a library of my weekly LIVES since January 2021, Personal Branding 101 Series, and much much more!
Sneak Peak...
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Senior Project Manager| IR35 Compliance| PRINCE2| AgilePM| Change Management
3 天前Great advice and very valuable tips Anna Murray!
Multi-Award Winning Leadership Impact Catalyst: Enabling Leaders, Empowering Organisations | Consultant | Trainer | Mentor | Speaker | Author | +44 (0) 7757 898 353
3 天前This is good advice and important key facts for all job seekers Leila Singh