During your job search, you are just one potential candidate in a sea of millions doing the exact same thing; which can leave you drowning below other candidates. You need to start keeping your head above water by standing out to future employers. In order to make yourself seen in the vast pool of candidates, here are some great ways to stand out during your job search.
1) Network, Network, Network
The first and best way to be noticed for a job is by meeting people constantly. Making a person to person connection is much more valuable than just a resume online. By meeting other people in your industry, networking allows you to make an impression and see what jobs are available or what companies are currently hiring. You never know who you are going to meet and just by talking to people you may meet a hiring manager who needs to fill a position you qualify for.
2) LinkedIn is The Best Tool Online
Recruiters spend countless hours scouring LinkedIn for candidates, which means you must have the best profile there is! Keywords are how they find you so include as much verbiage that makes you stand out as possible. Highlight your goals and achievements and make yourself easy to contact by adding an email address or a phone number. Your profile is your resume so keep it up-to-date and post once in a while to keep you profile active amongst your follows, which most likely include recruiters!
3) Cover Letters Actually Mean Something
Your cover letter is your formal personality introduction. You may not have the luxury of meeting your manager before an interview so you have to impress them right off the bat. Your cover letter should be personalized and focused only on why you are good for this position. This is the time to add in some creative writing about you while keeping it short so the hiring manager can see some of who you are before meeting you but still keep it professional.
4) First Impressions are Everything
As soon as you walk in the door of the company you should be excited and professional to everyone you meet, including the receptionist who lets the manager know you’ve arrived. Although they aren’t the ones who hire you, their impression of you may be considered in the final rounds. A firm handshake has a surprising amount of influence as well since you never know how well other candidates did, your confidence could be what makes you outshine others. Dressing to impress is also mandatory because you want to show you look after yourself and therefor you take your job just as seriously. Lastly, posture and eye contact during an interview shows you are a hard-worker and that you listen well. Be sure to let them know the first time they meet you just how amazing you are.
5) Follow Up Right Away
After you’ve met the right people, written the best resume, landed the interview, and made a killer first impression, it’s now time to keep you fresh on their mind by following up right away. This is as simple as getting the hiring managers email address and sending a thank you email following the interview. Maybe you bonded over something such as baseball so add a little of your personalized conversation to the email to show you were listening and that you would work well together. If you haven’t heard back in a few days, send one more email or call to see how the process is going and that you are very excited to hear more as soon as possible.
