Master the Tool, Unlock the Role—Let Deep Software Skills Drive Career Growth

Software as Strategy

The job market is shifting. It’s not just about knowing what a tool does—it’s about showing you know how a business operates because of how the tool is configured and used. Software is no longer just a tool; it’s a window into how a company functions.

This new reality is something you need to know about. For years it has been common to regurgitate any and all software applications on a resume. But a banal list won't stand out as much as a hyperfocused one that leads to a workflow.

Phrase TMS/Strings, Github, Continuous Localization

Become the expert in the room.

Why Are Companies Looking Through a Software Lens?

Companies are more invested than ever in their tech stack. Why? Because the major applications keep adding richer feature sets. They are capable of doing more. Connecting more. The applications hold vast amounts of data. Stakeholders use it daily while under pressure to meet deadlines.

That makes it difficult for an organization to pivot. The cost of changing coupled with the opportunity cost of lost productivity is a sobering thought for managers.

Sure, there are a number of qualities that a hiring manager is going to look for. However, with the deepening of these feature sets and the growing complexity that goes with it, other thoughts stand out:

• How much onboarding would the candidate need?
• Could she start doing impact work almost immediately?
• Does she have unique experiences with the tool that makes her stand apart?
• Could she teach us stuff about the tool that we don't know?

A job candidate may very well be able to offer insights about how a company works, based purely on the tools she uses. This is a key point, especially those over 50, who are concerned about staying relevant.

Why This Matters

Mastery takes time, and that time investment is often overlooked on a resume. But hiring managers are desperate for candidates who won’t need six months to learn the basics.

If you walk into an interview knowing the software stack better than the team itself, you're not a candidate. You're a solution.

This has played out personally for me, too. I helped my wife with her resume last year. She mentioned in passing that she'd been using special software for importing goods from manufactures, but she hadn't listed it anywhere on her resume. I told her how important I thought that was and suggested that she find room to include it.

She restructured her resume, showcasing that and a few other pieces of software and submitted it to the company. After her first interview, she said, "The first thing they asked about was the software!" True story!

It made all the difference for her and it can for you, too. She was hired not because she had a perfect job title—but because the hiring team could picture her navigating their systems on Day 1.

A Special Note for Those Over 50

Ageism is real. And while we can't fix systemic bias overnight, we can bring forward irrefutable value. Mastery of software—Phrase, Transifex, Lokalise, XTM, memoQ, Github, Blackbird, Contentful, Contentstack—signals more than skill. It shows readiness, precision, and insight gained through years of context.

Those of you who are over 50 have seen tools evolve. You bring perspective, maturity, pattern recognition, and realism to implementations. And you can most certainly move with the same speed as someone younger—when fueled by curiosity and commitment.

Stay in motion. Knowledge compounds.

If there's a sense of falling behind, start small. Take a course. Use a Gen AI tool to learn, practice, and iterate. And when paired with experience, it’s a force companies can’t afford to overlook.

Lead With the Stack

Don’t just list the tools you know—show how well you know them. Today, it’s easier than ever to do this. You can sign up for Canva in minutes and use free templates to build a clean, simple flowchart of a workflow you’ve optimized.

Or you can generate a one-page case study with AI, walk through the business need, your solution, and the outcome. These small efforts can set you apart. There are incredible tools available—many of them free—that let you show your thinking, not just talk about it. Fluency in a platform speaks louder than any certification.

When you land an interview, set the stage. Hiring managers are pressed for time. Their teams are stretched thin. Make it easier for them to see your value. Send a brief outline before the meeting: the systems you’ve used, how they align with theirs, and a few thoughtful questions to explore together.

This isn't overstepping—it's leadership. It shows you’re prepared, clear on your strengths, and ready to have a real conversation. A resume might get you in the door, but your software fluency and strategic mindset are what keep it open.