Targeting a Job Move

Posted by Sarah Hobbs

If you are thinking about seeking a new role, it’s important to consider how you can “close the gap” between your current capability and the capability you need to perform successfully in that role.

And while there are many ways you can close the gap, the first step is to get a clear understanding of how big the gap actually is.

To do this, start by talking to someone who’s already doing the job or (even better) speak with the person who’s likely to hire for that job in the future. This will allow you to find out how other people would approach the role and the expectations that would be set for you if you secured it.

Here are five key question areas to explore, to get the information you need:

1. What do most people find difficult when they start this job? How do people handle these difficulties successfully?
   
   
2. Were there any new skills to learn? What’s the best way of learning them?
   
   
3. Which experiences would it be useful for me to have already acquired, when applying for this job?
   
   
4. What are the three most challenging objectives to achieve in this job?
   
   
5. What are the main priorities that senior managers want to achieve through this role?
   
   
6. Can I set up an opportunity to shadow someone in this role? What are the best activities to observe? Who would you recommend I speak to?

By taking the time to seek out the answers to these questions, not only will you get a useful insight into the gap you need to shrink between your current capabilities and the new role, but you’ll also have the opportunity to extend your network on get on the radar of the very people who would be hiring for the role in the future. A true win-win! You can also prepare for interview by asking yourself; what are my areas of potential weakness? How could I show that I’m aware of these weaknesses – and have a strong plan for getting up to speed fast.

The Takeaway
Find time and do an honest appraisal about your progression into future roles. If you start the learning curve before you even apply for the role, you’ll stand out as a strong candidate.