Hey {{First Name | there}},
I didn't study computer science. I studied Economics.
After uni, I applied to over 60 jobs. AWS roles, cloud engineering, solutions architecture — anything that sounded like the career I wanted. Got rejected from all of them.
The feedback was always some version of the same thing:
"We're looking for someone with more technical experience."
"You don't have the right background for this role."
So I did what most people do. I kept tweaking my CV. Adding more skills. More keywords. More certifications. Applying again.
Nothing changed.
Then a mentor told me something I'll never forget:
"Always ask yourself: So what?"
That question changed everything. 🔥
I looked at my CV and realised I'd been listing what I did — not why it mattered. I was writing a shopping list of skills when I should have been telling a story of impact.
❌ Before: "Built a serverless application"
✅ After: "Built a serverless app that reduced costs by 40% and improved response time from 2s to 200ms"
❌ Before: "Led a team project"
✅ After: "Led 5 engineers to deliver a feature that increased user retention by 25%"
Same experience. Completely different story.
Here's the thing — this isn't just a CV tip. It's how the best people in tech communicate full stop.
Whether you're in an interview, writing a promotion doc, presenting to a stakeholder, or even just explaining what your team does — nobody cares what you did. They care why it mattered.
Numbers show progress. Impact drives decisions. 💡
The engineer who writes "proficient in Python, AWS, Terraform" — that's a shopping list. The architect who writes "redesigned the data pipeline, cutting processing time by 60% and saving £120K annually" — that's a story someone remembers.
It works the other way too. The career switcher who writes "managed a team" — so what? But "managed a team of 8 that delivered a product launch 2 weeks ahead of schedule" — now you're speaking their language.
The people who get hired, promoted, and noticed are the ones who answer "So what?" before anyone asks it.
💡 Try this before you close this email:
1. Pick one thing you've done recently — a project, a decision, a result.
2. Ask yourself: "So what? What changed because of it?"
3. Rewrite it with the number, the outcome, the impact.
Whether it's for your CV, your next 1:1 with your manager, your LinkedIn, or a promotion case — that's the version that gets you noticed. ✅
Every Tuesday at 6 PM, I'll share one practical insight like this — something you can use whether you're switching into tech, studying for your next cert, or already deep in it.
Hit reply and tell me:
SO WHAT?
Take one line from your CV or LinkedIn right now. Rewrite it with impact. I'll give you feedback on every single one.
Stay persistent,
Olushola
P.S. Know someone who needs to hear this? Forward this email. Two words might change how they talk about their work forever: So what? 🚀