5 min read · Dec 28, 2022
News just in: companies are loving Notion. The move from other software tools to Notion is happening in droves. I know this, because as a Certified Notion Consultant, I generally don’t have to do any outbound sales, as Notion consultants/coaches are in such high demand. Even more importantly, companies are actively searching for people who are skilled in using Notion. This is a great opportunity for those who are experienced in the software, as the demand for these types of professionals is rapidly increasing.
Notion is essentially digital LEGO. You have access to the ‘blocks’ (checkboxes, databases, media embeds etc) to build your dream digital tool/dashboard. Because of this ‘DIY’ aspect, everyone, from parents and students, to creatives and start-ups are obsessed with using it to build everything from recipe books and journals to custom dashboards & client portals. The best thing about Notion is that everything is tailored to the way you think and whatever you build will grow with you.
If you’ve never tried Notion, and are looking to add layers of sanity into your life/business, you can explore it here for free — for full disclosure, I’m a Notion Partner, so when you sign up with my link, you also support my work.
If you already use Notion, it’s absolutely worth mentioning on your resume/CV. Not only is it an impressive skill to have, but it can also give you an edge over other applicants, as it shows that you’re capable of mastering advanced tools and software. Plus, it’s a great way to demonstrate your aptitude for problem-solving and organization. So if you fancy yourself as a bit of a ‘Notion wizard’, 200% put it on your resume!
Even if the job listing doesn’t explicitly advertise for Notion skills, it’s still possible that the organization is considering a move to Notion and is desperate for your skillset. This is actually how I was hired in my last job as a Senior Project Manager after sharing my Notion portfolio (which you can download for here). My line manager was instantly impressed. They were impressed by the design and the level of detail in my portfolio. Not only did it effectively showcase my skills and experience, but it was also an incredibly effective way to differentiate myself from other candidates. It ultimately landed me the job!
As a Certified Notion Consultant with a background in building and managing human/digital products and experiences, I personally take a heavy design-thinking approach to all of my projects. 80% of my clients in my coaching calls, workshops & custom builds come to me to ‘makeover’ their workspace i.e. build a seamless Notion experience that is nice to look at and easier to use.
If you’re looking to build a great Notion workspace, you need to approach it like you would approach building a house. Remember the LEGO block analogy? The first thing you need to know about Notion is that it is literally blocks. Learn the blocks, then learn how and when to use each block. There are a ton of YouTube videos/blogs out there — I have a list of resources on my site. Start with a blueprint (empathise with end user(s) and goals), then choose the best blocks/techniques to achieve what you need.
Secondly, read the user manual. The Notion help guide is excellent and not enough people actually take the time to use it.
If you’d rather not torture yourself watching 1000s of productivity YouTube videos (cough, Notion isn’t a productivity tool, it’s a possibility tool, I’ve literally built a Beyonce template that was loved by Sequoia Capital), and want a more creative approach to learning, driven by design thinking, you’re free to explore my super-popular and affordable MySpace-themed course, ‘#MyNotionSpace’.
Yes millennials, if you remember spending hours customising your profile page on MySpace/Bebo/Tumblr etc. , now you can recreate that joy. After learning advanced Notion tips (including how to make it pretty), you’ll practice your new skills by building your own shareable ‘profile page’ while becoming a Notion wizard. Not only can this double up as a portfolio/resume to give you an edge for your dream job, after completing the course (it’s about 3 hours of videos), you’ll earn a certificate which you can post on your LinkedIn profile/website as a shiny ‘hire-me’ flag. Even if you don’t want to use it for work purposes, you can still make a cute profile page that would probably go viral on TikTok, because you know, ‘Y2K’.
If I were you, I would put time aside to get comfortable with the app. Start with the blocks and then take it from there. Also search ‘Notion’ on LinkedIn/other job boards and see which roles are actively hiring. You can also look directly at the job boards of 50 startups that use Notion.
Remember, you can try Notion here for free with my #NotionPartner link and also see what people are up to in the course.
Quick note, this was originally a hot take from an issue of my newsletter, The Notion Zeitgeist, that I’ve developed into this article. This is not your productivity bro’s Notion newsletter. 1.3k+ of you are reading weekly-ish spicy hot takes on Notion, profuntivity and pop culture. Musings by me, Frances Odera Matthews: resident zillennial, Certified Notion Consultant + Founder of The Notion Bar.
Thanks for sticking with me — I can’t wait for you to dive in and start working on your Notion pages.
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