A Strengths-Based Guide to Finding and Landing the Right Role

Finding a job that fits isn’t just a matter of submitting your CV and hoping for the best. In today’s world, where work is an ever-shifting landscape, it’s about understanding what you truly want and aligning that with a role that energises you, not drains you. If you don’t know what you want, how can anyone else?

In the past, the idea of a “company for life” ruled the day. Then, it was all about finding a vocation that would define you. Now? We’re in a time of skill-sets brought together, honed, and utilised across multiple roles, industries, and contexts. AI is now sifting through CVs, looking for those key phrases and competencies, while we’re left to figure out how we fit into the ever-expanding world of opportunity. And then, of course, there’s that sense of purpose, the need to do work that matters, that plays to your strengths, and supports your growth.

But with over 40,000 job ads circulating in New Zealand at any given moment, and 2.9 million people working, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. How do we find our place among all that chaos?

The answer starts with clarity. So, let’s strip it down to the basics.

• Step One: Be clear about what you are looking for “People can’t give you what you want if you don’t tell them what that is. Clarity isn’t just a gift to yourself; it’s a gift to others too.” Simon Sinek

  1. Think of your best day at work ever.  What are three criteria that made it your best day? 

  2. Review this against your CliftonStrengths profile, if you have completed one.  How could your strengths be influencing this criteria based on their definitions?  What would you change based on this insight?

  3. Take this list and put it into ChatGPT and ask it to suggest 10-20 roles that would meet this criteria.  Review the list for which roles stand out.  Aim for 2-3 suggested roles.

  4. Then ask it to give you detail for the 1-2 roles that most appeal.  Validate this is the right fit by printing these descriptions out and highlight/underline any statements that resonate with you, cross out what doesn’t matter, and circle any meaningful words.

  5. Do a job search on these job titles and key words to see what comes up

• Step Two: Talk to People Who Are Already Doing It. “The only source of knowledge is experience.” Albert Einstein

  1. Knowing what you want is half the battle, but knowing how to get there is the other half. LinkedIn is your best friend here. Who do you know that already works in those roles?

  2. When you approach someone, ask for 30-minutes.  Sometimes giving 60-minutes of their time might feel like too much, but people are likely to say yes if the time is shorter.

  3. Let them know the questions you would ask them before you meet them so they can have a think a. What do they love about their job? b. What don’t they like? c. What advice would they give to someone like you?

  4. Who else would they suggest you talk to? It’s about building a network of knowledge that helps you find your fit. Ask them to help with an introduction, or get their OK to put their name in the subject line of the e-mail to the person they suggest contacting. 

  5. Keep repeating this process until you have enough input

• Step Three: Get input for you CV. "Sometimes, others see the best in us before we see it ourselves.”

  Your CV is a tool, but it’s not the whole story. Before you sit down to write it, figure out your strengths—what people know you for, and where those strengths have the most impact. You can get this from friends, colleagues, or even family.  Questions to ask them are

  1. What are my strengths?

  2. Where do you see my strengths in action (where are they having an impact)?

  3. What are my weaknesses? One of the best ways to understand your strengths is to understand your weaknesses

  4. What does everybody know about me?

  5. When people in our organisation describe me to others, what do they say? Points to your impact

  6. What’s missing in my leadership that would make a difference?

• Step Four: Write your CV. “The secret to a standout CV is simplicity and structure; let the design fade, and let your achievements shine.” Richard Branson

  What’s important is that you are clear on your point of difference

  1. Leverage the Rule of 3. Aim to have three main points to each heading, role, section. For more on the Rule of 3 see this video and this video

  2. The Cover Letter is the bridge between the job ad and your CV.  The idea is to pull the key phrases from the job and then link it to the experiences you have had.  Again focus on the top three

  3. The first page should summarise the type of role you are looking for Personal Statement and Strengths

  4. Work Experience For each role a. Provide a brief description of your role b. List the top three responsibilities c. List the top three achievements 

  5. Add numbers to reinforce the above e.g. how many staff.  What was the size of the budget you were responsible for? etc

  6.  The aim is show progression through your roles where you have a. helped/assisted b. did/owned c. led.  Put your most recent experience first.

  7. Each role should build on each.  The aim is to not repeat information.  The links will be made as someone reads through your CV. 

  8. Education Make sure to list any professional course you have attended which helps support your experience. 

  9. Referees Do not list your referees.  What you want to do is chop and change your referees based on the role you are applying for. 

  10. Check out this example CV.

  11. For further thinking behind this approach, see the Harvard Business Review Article How to Get Your Resume Noticed (And Out of the Trash Bin)

• Step Five: Nail Your LinkedIn Profile. Your personal brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” Jeff Bezos

  Think of your LinkedIn profile as a dynamic version of your CV. If you’re taking your CV seriously, then LinkedIn deserves equal attention. Your profile should be a polished reflection of the role you’re after. Make sure it aligns with your CV, while offering just enough personality and detail to stand out.

• Step Six: Prepare for your job interview “Job interviews are conversations, not interrogations—speak with purpose and listen with intent.” Simon Sinek

  Research the company website and make notes leveraging the Ryan Avery’s 4, 3, 2, 1 technique

  1. 4 stories. 2 professional.  2 personal.  1 success.  1 failure.  Which is your experiences would be most relevant to them?

  2. 3 facts/statistics

  3. 2 quotes/phrases that the company would use.  These could be the organisation’s values

  4. 1 question that you have

  For additional support, see the following articles on how to respond to questions

  • A Case Study: Stand Out In A Job Interview by Starting With Why

  • In a Job Interview, This Is How to Acknowledge Your Weaknesses

  • This is the best answer I ever received to ‘Tell me about yourself’—after 20 years of interviewing

  • How to Answer the Most Nerve-Wracking Interview Questions

  For additional support, see the following articles on questions to ask in an interview

  • 10 questions to ask in a job interview that will really expose a company’s culture

  • 10 tough questions you must ask in your next job interview

  • 10 Impressive Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

  • 38 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

  • CliftonStrengths Career Development Guide

Finding the right job doesn’t need to be a game of chance. It’s about understanding who you are, knowing where you thrive, and being clear on how to make that connection. The noise is loud, yes—but clarity cuts through it. And with that clarity, you’ll make the right fit, not just for yourself, but for the role, the company, and the career you’re building.