"Specialists Vs Generalists"

Market dependent.

This is the conversation most people avoid. It’s uncomfortable. It might hurt. But avoiding it hurts more in the long run.

Ready? Let’s go.

The Pattern Nobody Talks About

Here’s what I see every week. People come frustrated. Applied to 100 jobs. No responses. Five interviews. No offers. Doing everything ‘right’ but nothing works.

Then I dig deeper.

They applied to jobs they’re not qualified for. Sent generic CVs with typos. Walked into interviews without research. Answered questions in rambling paragraphs going nowhere.

They weren’t doing everything right. They were doing the minimum and hoping for maximum.

Hope is not a strategy.

The Details That Matter

Little things add up fast.

Email response time signals interest. Same day good. Next day acceptable. Three days concerning.

CV formatting signals attention to detail. Inconsistent fonts, mixed bullets, typos – character indicators, not minor issues.

Questions signal intelligence. Generic template questions sound generic. Specific questions about challenges sound prepared.

Follow-up signals professionalism. Brief thank you within 24 hours. Reference something specific. Express continued interest. Simple. Most skip it.

Why Nobody Tells You This

Recruiters don’t say this – don’t want to hurt feelings. Hiring managers don’t – no time. Friends don’t – they’re friends.

So here I am.

Your CV probably needs work. Interview skills need polish. Follow-up inadequate. Research superficial. Attitude might be off.

Not definitely. But probably. These are problems in 90% of people not getting results.

Common Objections I Hear

‘But I’m an introvert.’ Introverts can prepare thoroughly, answer concisely, and ask thoughtful questions. Introversion isn’t an excuse.

‘But I’m not good at self-promotion.’ Nobody’s asking you to brag. They’re asking you to clearly explain what you’ve accomplished. Facts aren’t bragging.

‘But the market is terrible right now.’ The market is the same for everyone. Some people still get jobs. Be one of them.

‘But I don’t have enough experience.’ Then get creative about how you frame what you do have. Transferable skills exist.

Objections are comfortable. Results require discomfort. Pick your discomfort.

The Real-World Application

Let me give you a concrete example from last month. A candidate came to me – great experience, solid CV on paper. Three final-round interviews, no offers. Couldn’t understand why.

I watched them do a mock interview. Within five minutes, I knew. They answered questions that weren’t asked. They gave ten-minute answers to two-minute questions. They never once asked about the team or the challenges.

They were so focused on impressing that they forgot to connect. Interviews aren’t presentations. They’re conversations. Act accordingly.

We worked on it for two weeks. Three specific changes: listen fully before responding, keep answers under two minutes, ask at least three substantive questions. Next interview? Offer.

Small changes. Big results. That’s usually how it works.

What Now?

Reading is easy. Acting is hard. That’s why most won’t change. Nod along, agree, keep doing what they’ve always done.

Don’t be most people.

Pick one thing from this article. Do it today. Another tomorrow. Small improvements compound. Big intentions without action go nowhere.

Market rewards action. Not plans. Not ideas. Not intentions. Action.

What’s your first action?