James Whittaker
May 23, 2024 · 5 min read
James Whittaker
May 23, 2024 · 5 min read
Steve Jobs' Secret For Executive Job Search Success
Why Steve Jobs’ Comeback Matters To Your Career
We’re going to unpack a lesson from Steve Jobs that could completely transform the way you approach your Executive job search.
This lesson is especially powerful if you’ve ever been labeled “overqualified,” if you’re making a career pivot, or if people just don’t seem to get the value you bring to the table.
What Steve Jobs Did That Changed Everything
In 1985, Steve Jobs was fired from Apple after internal disagreements. But in 1997, Apple bought the new company he’d founded, bringing him back into the fold. At that time, Apple was struggling. They had almost no market traction. But just 14 years later their revenue had exploded.
What changed?
Steve Jobs introduced a single powerful concept that redefined Apple’s identity.
Apple would no longer just sell technology, they would sell a lifestyle. This became their Unique Selling Proposition (USP). And it’s the same principle that you, as an executive job seeker, need to apply to your own search.
If you want to be seen as more than just a set of skills and experience, you need to build a clear and compelling value proposition.
Get Clear on Your Target Role
Just like Steve Jobs got clear on who Apple was selling to (young, affluent consumers who saw tech as part of their identity), you need absolute clarity on:
- What kind of role you’re targeting
- What level of responsibility you want
- What industries and company sizes are the best fit
- Where this role leads you in your longer career vision
An example might be: “I want to be the CMO of a mid-market automotive parts manufacturer in the Northeast U.S.” This level of clarity is what allows you to have a focused strategy in your job search.
Practical vs. Percieved Value
Knowing what you want is half the battle. The other half is positioning yourself as the obvious #1 choice for a specific opportunity. To do that, you need to understand two key concepts:
- Practical Value – Your experience, degrees, certifications, etc.
- Perceived Value – How others see your relevance and potential.
Most candidates focus only on practical value, but perceived value is what actually drives hiring decisions.
This is why interviewers often go with a “gut feeling”. In both the consumer market and the job market people buy with emotion, then justify with logic.
The iPhone vs. LG G3: A Masterclass in Perception
Here’s an analogy that brings this concept home:
When the LG G3 and iPhone 6 launched, the LG G3 had superior specs. It had a better camera, bigger screen, longer battery life. But it sold just 13 million units. In contrast, the iPhone sold 156 million units.
This didn't happen because of the Iphone's technical superiority. It occurred because Apple sold a feeling, a lifestyle. People paid more for something “worse” on paper because of how it made them feel. That’s the power of perception.
You Are the Product
Your Executive job search is a sales process. You are the product. Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP) is the reason someone completes the sale and hires you.
Your UVP isn’t something you read aloud in interviews. It’s the foundation of your story: why you’re the best person for the specific role you’re targeting. Like in the case of Apple, your UVP should be the core of your strategy. It informs everything else.
What Happens Without A UVP?
If you skip this work, and don’t define your target role and your UVP, you risk coming off as a generalist. Or worse, someone who simply doesn’t match the opportunity you want.
This is why even beautifully written resumes often fail. We’ve had countless clients come to us saying: “I worked with a great resume writer, but nothing happened.”
That’s because a strong resume without a strong value proposition is like a slick advertisement with no message. It’s all packaging, no substance. Your UVP informs your resume, your LinkedIn, your elevator pitch, and every conversation you have.
Final Thoughts: Strategy Over Specs
Steve Jobs didn’t revive Apple by making better gadgets, he did it by making Apple mean something. If you want to win in today’s executive job market, you need to do the same.
Define your audience (target role), craft your UVP, and let that message shape every piece of your job search strategy. Because in the end, you’re not hired based on how qualified you are, you’re hired based on how valuable people think you are.
If you want to build a strategy that actually works, we can help. Book a call to learn more about how we can position you as the ideal candidate for the role you want.
Contact
hello@TheAmbitiousExec.com
(914) 559-0737
hello@TheAmbitiousExec.com
(914) 559-0737
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