Standing Out in the Jobseeker Crowd
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Once, not so very long ago, jobseekers were on the top of the mountain when it came to looking for employment. There were so many plum jobs waiting for the picking, jobseekers could be choosy about their job choices. Today, there aren’t enough jobs to go around, and jobseekers are discovering they really need to stand out in order to get the job they really want. So, how do you creatively stand out from those thousands of other job applicants?
What You Can Do
Experts recommend several ways to improve your chances of getting an interview and then getting the job:
- Remember to write your resume and cover letter in terms of what you can do for the employer. The employer needs to know your background and skills, but they want to know how those skills and knowledge can benefit them.
- Customize your resume each time you send it out to an employer. Using one resume for all your applications can be a costly mistake. It only takes a few minutes to “customize” your experience and skills for each particular job. For example, if you’re applying to an accounting firm, play up your experience with numbers, cost analysis, and taxes, and play down other areas that might not apply strictly to accounting jobs.
- Research the employer before you have an interview. A short time on the Internet can usually turn up lots of facts and information on the employer. Check out the company’s web site, and learn more about what they do. It can help you immensely in your interview, and may give you some ideas on how your skills and knowledge can benefit their specific operation.
- Use relaxation techniques. You need to appear relaxed and confident during your interview, but that can be difficult when you’re nervous! Close your eyes and do some deep breathing before you go in to the interview. Make sure you arrive at least five minutes early, so you can compose yourself before you begin. In addition, try to get a good night’s sleep before your interview, it can help you appear more relaxed and in control of yourself.
- Be enthusiastic. As you do your research, and learn about the company, you should develop some questions that demonstrate you’ve done your homework, and would like to know more about the employer. Show your enthusiasm for the job or the employer. If you really want this job, then say so! Enthusiasm and curiosity are two traits that many employers look for and appreciate, and many job seekers simply don’t have them, or use them. You can stand out if you do.
- Get a critique. Do you have a friend or professional acquaintance that can help you rehearse your interview, or go over your resume? It’s always helpful to get input from someone else that can spot an error or a mannerism that you might have overlooked.
- Send a thank you note for each interview, to each interviewer. Don't e-mail the thank you; take the time to write a personal note. All you have to do is thank them for their time. It’s just a simple courtesy, but it’s extremely important, and job seekers so often ignore it – it will make you stand out of the crowd if you take the time to do it.
Using the Internet
The Internet can help you find a job, but you have to help it along. Posting your resume to a web site can work, but it’s not as effective to simply post your resume then sit back and wait for replies. You have to follow up with a phone call or an e-mail. Mass-mailing resumes also works, as long as you keep track of who you send them to, and follow up. Wait about a week, and then send a courtesy e-mail, just saying you’re following up on the job, and are very interested in it.
Job seeking is always a challenge, but if you use these simple tips and tricks, you really can stand out from the crowd, and get that job!
