Leader Scout

In this conversation, Walter discusses the best practices for beating an ATS system (Applicant Tracking System). He emphasises the importance of tailoring your resume to each application, including relevant keywords and using the correct format (Word document). Walter also mentions that it is sufficient to include only the past 10 years of work experience on your resume. He advises against including headshots or special graphics and suggests focusing on key responsibilities and achievements. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights on how to increase your chances of getting past an ATS system.

We asked leaders Nicholas Evans & Sushil Patil 6 frequently asked questions which could support individuals trying to progress in their career or start in their career.

These questions were;

In this episode of the Leader Scout podcast, Walter shares three simple steps to create a shiny LinkedIn headline. He emphasises the importance of getting the headline correct and making it searchable with relevant keywords. The three steps include highlighting the size of teams led and the results achieved, specifying the desired job title and specialisation, and showcasing relevant skills and experience. Walter also provides examples for different scenarios, such as experienced professionals and fresh graduates. He concludes by offering support for optimizing LinkedIn headlines.

Em shares her journey from being a social media intern to becoming a credible social media coach in the Australian market. She emphasises the importance of internships and gaining experience, even if it means working unpaid. Em highlights the value of saying yes to opportunities and being open to learning. She also discusses the significance of actions over words and the impact of putting oneself out there. Em's advice to social media interns is to say yes to everything and to understand that sacrifices and hard work are necessary for success.

Diane Avice shares her journey from being an employment consultant to becoming a leader in the NDIS sector. She emphasises the importance of being open to change and seeking out new opportunities. Diane highlights the value of mentorship and personal development in career growth. She also discusses the challenges and rewards of working in the disability sector and the need for empathy and support for individuals transitioning into adulthood. Diane's leadership philosophy centers around integrity, fairness, and servant leadership.

Kathryn Shepherd-King started her career as a marketing intern at EMI Music. She realised that traditional university education wasn't for her and preferred hands-on learning. She gained experience in various marketing roles, including at the Autism Association and Photo Corporation of Australia. She taught herself technical skills like Adobe Photoshop through trial and error and learning from her team. She also sought out mentors and coaches to support her personal and professional growth. She transitioned into people management and cross-functional leadership roles, which required different skills. She recognised the importance of finding the right path based on passion and strengths. Kathryn Shepherd-King shares her career journey from marketing to product management and her experience working with Brainmates. She emphasises the importance of having the right conversations with managers to identify growth opportunities and taking ownership of personal development. She also highlights the need to set boundaries and prioritise high-value tasks. Kathryn's advice for sales and marketing professionals is to be clear on what they want, ask for help, and focus on their strengths. She encourages individuals to choose their own adventure and find their own unique path.

Faiz Alam, a leading career coach in Dubai, shares his journey from HR intern to career coach. He gained valuable experience in HR and recruitment while working in India and Saudi Arabia before moving to Dubai. Faiz started his career coaching business by creating videos and LinkedIn posts to help job seekers find jobs and create professional resumes. He emphasizes the importance of networking, connecting with the right people, and understanding the job market in Dubai. Faiz advises aspiring career coaches to read resumes, connect with job seekers, and continuously improve their services.

Utkarsh Manocha shares his career journey, from studying in Australia to working in various roles, including project management and consulting. He emphasizes the importance of gaining experience through internships and part-time jobs while in university. Utkarsh also discusses the challenges he faced, such as dealing with rejections and working in a different field than his desired career path. He highlights the significance of networking, mentorship, and continuous learning in his career success. Utkarsh's expertise in LinkedIn and his passion for helping international students led him to start his own business in career support and mentoring.

Ben Whitaker shares his career journey from being a teacher to becoming a freelance consultant and contractor. He emphasizes the importance of hard work, networking, and putting oneself out there. Ben discusses his experience in keynote speaking, consulting, and content creation. He also highlights the significance of collaboration and community in achieving success. Ben is the co-host of the Edgy Futurist podcast, which explores the future of education.

In this conversation, Jeff shares his experience in business development, starting from his early selling ventures as a child to his career in startups and smaller companies. He emphasizes the importance of direct communication and personal connections in sales, and how he achieved success by reaching out to Fortune 500 C-level executives. Jeff also discusses his leadership style, focusing on trust, delegation, and providing executable solutions to problems. He highlights the inefficiency of regularly scheduled meetings and the need for leaders to recognize and address broken strategies or personnel issues. The conversation explores the challenges faced by sales teams in the IT industry, the misconception about salespeople, the changing landscape of the industry, and the importance of building a positive company culture. Jeff shares his career journey, highlighting the lessons he learned from working for both good and bad leaders. He emphasizes the value of hard work, the importance of doing your job and letting others do theirs, and the need to take action and continuously improve.