Insights from 20 Years of Recruitment To Help You Land Your Next Role

Kingston Human Capital
At Kingston Human Capital, we understand the recruitment process inside-out. We know our insight can help you land your next big role. 
 
Meet Gerard Kerr, our GM of Executive Search & Selection shares insights. In the above video, Gerard shares the tips and tricks from his 20 years of executive recruitment experience to help you land your next big role. 

Transcript.

 

I’d like to share some insights gained from my 20 years of recruitment in which I’ve interviewed thousands of individuals across a broad range of occupations and industries. 

 

Now, I believe these insights should assist you with being able to secure your next role. 

 

Over my time, I’ve seen a major difference with those candidates that are able to articulate a message to their audience. So, the people interviewing them, that’s targeted to their needs. 

 

So, what do I mean by this? 

 

One of those questions we often get at the interview is one of those openers and it could go something along these lines: So, could you tell us about your working history to date? 

 

Now, it’s a broad question and the panel is usually looking for an understanding of your ability to communicate, but of course, also after an idea about how you see your transferable skills fit into their organisation. [Paragraph]

 

The trap here is that many of us just talk about our working history to date, don’t we? 

 

We look at those parts of our history within different roles that have appealed most to us without necessarily taking into account our audience. 

What I recommend here is while you’re doing your research around the organisation, take a moment to think about your most relevant roles from the past. 

So, rather than just relying on your stock, standard responses, “when I was at this organisation, I did A, B, and C”; you’ll be able to go, “Well, I was at this organisation and I did X, Y, and Z. This, I thought would be particularly relevant “to the role at hand”.

 

Then, you’re able to jump through in a very concise manner, once again, drawing upon those transferable skills that are relevant to your audience. 

 

Now, that’s just not for that one question, that goes for all questions, doesn’t it? We like to fall into the habit of having our standard responses. But in the world of today, we’re needing to be more nimble. We can’t just go with the scripts that we’ve always relied on. 

 

We need to be able to take into account our audience and give them material that’s going to actually mean something to them. 

< Older Post

 Newer Post >

Other blogs you might like

Appointing an Executive Director & Chief Procurement Officer for the Department of Education

By Gerard Kerr • September 25, 2026
About The Department of Education The Department of Education required an Executive Director and Chief Procurement Officer to provide strategic leadership across procurement and facilities functions within one of Queensland's largest and most complex public sector environments. The role sat within the Finance, Procurement and Facilities Branch and required an executive capable of leading large-scale procurement strategy, influencing stakeholders across a decentralised operating environment and delivering commercial outcomes aligned with government priorities.  Kingston Human Capital was engaged to deliver an end-to-end executive recruitment and selection campaign, including executive search, market mapping, assessment, panel facilitation, reference checking and selection reporting

Finding the Right Talent for a Rare and Highly Specialised Leadership Role

By Gerard Kerr • September 25, 2026
About The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) sought to appoint an Executive Director responsible for leading significant environmental policy initiatives and investment programs. The role was central to advancing environmental stewardship, innovation and long-term sustainability outcomes across Queensland. This executive leadership position carried responsibility for strategic environmental programs, stakeholder engagement and the administration of major government investment initiatives.

Recruiting a Chief Human Resources Officer for the Department of Housing and Public Works

By Gerard Kerr • September 14, 2026
About The Department of Housing and Public Works The Department of Housing and Public Works required a Chief Human Resources Officer capable of operating across a large and complex Queensland Government environment. The role sat within the Department's People and Culture function and required an executive capable of delivering strategic workforce leadership while influencing outcomes across a substantial public sector portfolio. The position extended beyond traditional HR leadership. The successful candidate needed expertise across workforce strategy, organisational transformation, industrial relations, governance, executive influence, workplace health and safety, and public sector accountability.