3 Reasons Why Every Job Seeker Needs a Career Walking Deck

Hello Job Seekers, you are likely reading this because you want to stand out as a candidate. Since joining Microsoft in 2020, I’ve come across a concept called the career walking deck and almost every high performer that I’ve met has some version of this asset. Think of a career walking deck as an elevator pitch about your skills and experiences. IMO, it is a more visual and valuable representation of your resume, LinkedIn profile, and cover letter.

Here are 3 reasons why you need one… like right now:

It helps you stand out (especially in a remote working world)

Since the pandemic, people have been finding it harder than ever to stand out in virtual interviews. Virtual meeting fatigue is real, so consider a career walking deck if you want to catch a hiring manager’s attention. Presenting your career walking deck in an interview gives them something interesting to look at (in addition to your beautiful face).

LJ Marinello, Sr. Director at Microsoft, says that career walking decks help build a connection with the hiring manager through affiliations (e.g. alma mater) or common interests. Read more here.

It helps you better prepare for interviews (and be more confident)

I create a tailored career walking deck for every role I interview for. Yes, this takes a lot of time, but it helps me think from the perspective of the hiring manager. For example, I need to figure out what I believe the hiring manager will care about and tailor my career walking deck to those areas. I also prepare a 30-60-90 day plan which highlights my onboarding priorities if I were to get the job. Oftentimes, I find that I can answer the majority of interview questions with my career walking deck and it helps me become more confident!

It helps you develop your personal brand (which is essential for networking)

Building a career walking deck takes a bit of creativity! You need to consider what colours, fonts, and styles suit your personal brand. For example, a more traditional professional may opt for more neutral shades and serif font whereas a more bold and creative candidate may choose abstract shapes and vivid colours. These considerations help you develop a brand and style that are uniquely you and recognizable by others.