Job Seekers: Prove You Can Do the Job, Not Just Talk About It

Job seekers need to adapt their approach in today's tight job market, according to Farah Sharghi, an HR and technical recruiter who spent over a decade recruiting for companies like Google, TikTok, Uber, and The New York Times. Previously, applicants could focus on demonstrating enthusiasm and potential, but now hiring managers want candidates who can hit the ground running. This shift in priorities means that many job seekers are being overlooked because their resumes and cover letters fail to provide concrete evidence of their skills.

To break through in this market, Sharghi advises prioritizing proof over potential on your resume. This means explaining specific accomplishments from previous roles and providing context for any numbers or metrics mentioned. For example, instead of simply stating 'grew revenue 40%', you should specify the product, starting point, target, and what made hitting that goal difficult.

Sharghi also emphasizes the importance of cutting empty descriptors like 'strong communicator' or 'team player', which don't provide any concrete evidence of your abilities. Instead, focus on specific examples of how you worked with multiple teams or successfully solved complex problems.

In terms of cover letters, Sharghi recommends keeping them brief and actionable. This means naming the specific job you're applying for, explaining how you found it, and providing one or two examples from your past work where you've solved a version of the problem the role exists to solve.