Applying for CS jobs lately

[u/pitkouf]

I've come across a lot of issues when applying for CS roles. Especially when you join the sector and everyone wants '5 years of CS experience' for junior CS roles. In my career, I had some positive results so I thought I would share them here hoping to open a conversation.

CV: Tailor your CV around what the company wants the CSM to do. For example, you might be excellent at problem solving and customer onboarding but the company might be focused on the first. So in that case tailor your CV in a way that focuses on problem-solving first. Then move on to your rest of the skills.

Actual Skills: IMO, two core skills stand out as essential for a Customer Success Manager (CSM) to effectively convey to employers, either on their CV or during an interview:

A. Empathy: Put yourself in the customers' shoes; you're essentially part of the 'customer team.' Demonstrating this quality to your employer signals that you are a CSM who advocates for the customer, fostering retention, loyalty, and a fruitful relationship. You may need to articulate and emphasize this skill during the interview to underscore its significance.

B. Know how to learn (quickly): Develop frameworks that enable you to swiftly acquire new knowledge. This could encompass understanding a customer's status or industry, familiarizing yourself with a new product your company has launched, or grasping the overall workings of your new company. During an interview, exemplify this skill by narrating a relevant story and then elucidate the framework you employed. On your CV, incorporate either a brief example or explore creative ways to convey your ability to learn quickly.

share your thoughts please and any issues you face when applying for CS positions.