Presenting Your Skills in a Convincing Way

I was proof reading a cover letter for a friend once and she had described a simple system she had set up at her workplace that made their workflow more efficient. She explained the benefits of her actions, summarizing that they had increased team productivity by 17% on that task. I’ve never forgotten that ‘17%’ bit – it jumped out like a cherry ripe for picking. What employer wouldn’t want to increase their team productivity by 17%? Yet most of us talk about our achievements in much less measurable or relatable terms.

This is why you need CARBS in your life. (Not the pizza kind… mmm pizza.)

Last week I undertook some public speaking training with Katrina Howard (Coaching and Connecting for Change) facilitated by the National Association of Women in Construction. She has developed the CARBS acronym as a handy process for presenting any kind of achievement, goal, or policy. It goes like this:

1. CONTEXT – Set the scene.

2. ACTION/ACTIVITIES/APPROACH – What was the change that was made.

3. RESULTS/RECOMMENDATIONS – What was the direct result of this change?

This is where so many people stop – but you need to keep going if you really want to make an impact. You need to get to that ‘17%’ moment.

4. BENEFITS – What is the bigger impact of the result?

5. STRENGTHS – Try to take it even one step bigger and sell the broad vision of the action.

For example, if I was sitting for a job interview tomorrow, I would probably talk about the process systems I’ve implemented at my workplace. Using Howard’s outlined approach above, this would look something like:

(Context) When I started at my firm we were a relatively new workplace. Over the next few years, we spent a lot of time developing our systems and processes.

(Action) I identified a way that we could refine and integrate our systems into the existing project management software that we use, and over the last three years, I have been the primary manager of this system, continuing to add value to it and implement team feedback.

(Results) The result is that we now have a step by step process for every project in the office, from the very first client meeting until contract signing with a builder.

(Benefits) Checking off each step is compulsory and means we can be sure that each project architect follows a consistent process, is prompted to complete important items, doesn’t forget any elements of the project, and is referred on to other resources and checklists that we’ve created for specific stages or features. Having a master process allows newer or less experienced staff to work independently far sooner than if they were relying on step by step instruction and checking from a senior.

(Strengths) The creation of this master process has ultimately decreased our project errors and risk, increased team efficiency and effectiveness, and enabled staff autonomy and satisfaction. We work more effectively, to a higher standard, and with more job satisfaction.

You may be thinking “well it’s easy for you to say, you implemented this highly useful thing – I’ve done nothing like that”, but take a moment to consider that all I really did was implement a really long checklist. That’s it. If I was terrible at promoting my skills that’s probably all I would have said, but by using Howard’s CARBS approach you can see how you can draw out the essence of the value your skills bring, in a way that sounds evidence-based rather than cocky.

If you’re preparing for an upcoming interview I highly recommend you check out our free Jobseeker Workbook and subsequent Interview Preparation Workbook. By using the CARBS method you can prepare examples of 4 – 6 scenarios that you can use in your resume or interview preparation (or even for an upcoming performance review.)

I highly recommend checking out Katrina Howard if you’re interested in coaching or taking part in a similar workshop.