I recently attended a session with a leading recruiter who challenged the attendees to identify what their business/corporate superpower is. This is a rewording of the standard interview question of ‘what is your greatest strength?’ and usually provides the interview panel with a stock, well-rehearsed answer with some warm and fuzzy descriptors. I’m not at all opposed to being well prepared for an interview, but few of us can pull off scripted lines without sounding like we’re reading cue sheets. Warm and fuzzy points to values where the interviewer is usually looking for outcomes.
Instead, I believe the real strength comes from understanding how your strengths can align with the challenges your industry or field are currently facing. As an example, it’s great to be an experienced change manager. But what problem is that actually solving? If an organisation is mid-way through a change and it’s all gone pear-shaped then you can solve their problem. But most organisations will be looking for someone who can demonstrate they can deliver the outcomes the change is attempting to realise. So, describing yourself as delivering productivity gains through change management holds considerably more power with a potential hiring team.
I’m great with people. I can speak to just about anyone and I enjoy coaching and working with others to unlock their potential. But what problem does any of this solve? What solutions can I deliver with my skill in people management? If I’m hired, can I demonstrate a return on the investment in my ‘people’ skills? I struggled with this question until I asked a couple of colleagues in my network. (It’s quite amazing what you can find out if you ask the right questions.) However, I didn’t just ask my network contacts what they felt my best attributes are. Instead, I asked them what they would pay me to utilize from my skill set. The warm and fuzzy answers around attributes dried up very quickly and I was told that they would hire me to lead structural and cultural change, implement management accountability, and deliver sustainable spending reductions. Now, these are some objectives that are worth ‘selling’ in an open market.
So, what questions are you asking your network to uncover your superpower? Do you know what is needed and valued in your industry today and in the future?
