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The skill everyone in IT should have in their SEEK Profile

SEEK content team – updated on 19 December, 2019

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There’s an unfair stereotype about people working in the IT industry - that they’re poor verbal communicators. This reputation has developed over many years, despite the fact that actual experience is usually at odds with this cliché. So, demonstrating that you have a proven record as a good, reliable communicator can give you the edge over other people competing for the same roles.

In addition to listing your key skills, major projects, key achievements, and companies you’ve worked for, it’s vital your SEEK Profile clearly shows you’re a good communicator.

For example, in the Skills and Education areas of your SEEK Profile, mention how you’ve had experience liaising with other departments, identifying their requirements through an open dialogue and discussing your capabilities. Use recognised key words such as “collaborative”, “transparent” or, “initiative.” Also, people outside the industry regularly complain about not understanding the jargon, so emphasise in the Career history section of SEEK profile that you have experience communicating with non-tech people in a language they can understand.

Wayne Baker, Chief Operations Officer at Symmetry HR Group, puts it succinctly: “Show you have the demonstrated capability employers are seeking.”

In addition to listing your key skills, major projects, key achievements, and companies you’ve worked for, it’s vital your SEEK Profile clearly shows you’re a good communicator.

Moreover, as you continue to develop your various skillset make sure you regularly update your SEEK Profile. Make it part of your professional routine, touching on times when your communication has been truly exceptional, like:

When you’ve led a team project
When you’ve solved a problem
When you’ve introduced new systems or processes
When you’ve mediated an issue, internally or externally
When you’ve improved a service or function for customers, and increased their overall satisfaction

These examples of when your communication skills have led to positive outcomes can be included in different areas of your SEEK Profile.

In the Personal Summary section, for example, you might say that you’re passionate about communicating with stakeholders in ways that are both efficient and affable. Or you could talk to the breadth and ongoing growth of your communication skills in the Career history or Skills & Qualifications section of your SEEK Profile.

Baker explains that: “It’s important to build some context and make sure your skill set aligns with what prospective employers are looking for in an ideal candidate.” So be as specific as possible and make sure the people you’ve lined up as references can reaffirm the points you’ve emphasised in your profile.

Ensure that your top-notch communication skills are communicated in the language, structure and flow of your SEEK Profile too. That means check your spelling and grammar, use known industry terms, and complete all sections of your profile. You want employers to get the whole story, right?

There is no time like the present to check whether your SEEK Profile is ticking all these boxes. After all, you never know when a new opportunity will present itself; all you can do is be ready when it does.

If you’re in IT, make sure you’re ready for your next role. Create a SEEK Profile today!