Having the right skills gets you in the door. But if you really want to land the gig, you’ve got to show you can hit the ground running. And most of the time, that comes down to understanding the space you’re stepping into.
Yep, were talking sector knowledge. The genuinely important stuff that helps people get up to speed faster and deliver value sooner. That sweet spot of time and impact…It matters and often gives you the edge in the now normal “crowded candidate” race.
Unless you’re deliberately seeking a fresh perspective or approach, this stuff really counts!!
For clients, it’s about looking beyond “can they do the job”. Sure, they can code, design, or manage a SOW. But can they do it in your world? A designer who’s crushed it in eComm might find it harder in Healthtech if they’re not across privacy regulations or patient journeys. A SaaS product lead might not thrive in government without the patience for the stakeholder grind.
As for candidates, especially if you’re eyeing a new sector, it’s not just about what you can do… it’s about showing you get how the industry/sector works.
Read up, learn the lingo, follow people in the space. Show you’re not just matching advertised buzzwords, but rather you’re already thinking like someone who belongs there.
Let’s be real… When job hunting or hiring in this current market, skills are everywhere. Context isn’t. It’s the context and tacit knowledge that makes someone valuable from day one.
If you’ve been applying left and right and not getting traction, this might be why. Back yourself in the spaces you know, and if you’re making a move, do the work to understand it properly.
The bottom line,
It’s time to move from “spray and pray” applications to focus and fit. That’s what gets noticed, that’s your competitive edge.