- #1. You can show you have the experience
- #2. You have the degree
- #3. You write a personal cover letter
- #4. You’re going the extra mile to share relevant material
- #5. Your LinkedIn profile is trustworthy
- #6. You have volunteering experience
- #7. You speak a foreign language
- #8. Don’t rock the interview, run it
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What makes an employer choose you over another candidate, especially when you both have the same skills? A lot of candidates find it stressful to compete for a role without quite knowing what their competition is like. Similarly, being able to catch a glimpse of another applicant, through their LinkedIn profile or in the waiting room can be equally destabilizing. It opens the door to comparison based on the level of information you can access, namely their appearance or the background data that is visible on a stranger’s profile online.
Knowing exactly what your potential employer seeks in an employee is going to be one of your strongest weapons. You must focus not on selling yourself, but on selling the version of yourself that will do the job.
Tweet ThisIn other words, you are wasting your time comparing yourself to people you don’t know. Additionally, it’s the kind of behavior that is likely to make you nervous before an interview. It’s in your best interest to pay as little attention as you can to other candidates, especially when you don’t know all the facts.
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Nevertheless, there is one person who knows all the facts and who will use them to compare you against others, namely the employer. How many applicants wish they could receive a heads up about an employer and their company? Research can only get you so far. However, don’t think you have no way of making your application stand out. You can, even without gaining privileged knowledge, use differentiation to your advantage. Here are some ideas to get you started.
#1. You can show you have the experience
There is no denying that the way you present your experience on
“With the sheer volume of job seekers on the prowl, it can be hard to get an employer’s attention. Most companies today use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to scan resumes and weed out irrelevant candidates. The systems use keywords and phrases that describe the required skills, education and experience to place the most qualified resumes at the top of the list. So, how do you make it past the gatekeeping technology? Pay close attention to the employer’s or Recruiter‘s instructions for submitting
your resume on each posting. ” – Careerbuilder.com
Your experience is a combination of your professional duties, responsibilities, and achievements. To put it clearly, what recruiters want is not to see what kind of work you did. They’re interested in all well you managed it. For a start, if you’re applying for a junior or mid-level position, you should include detailed descriptions of the relevant positions and make a brief mention of other positions in
#2. You have the degree
Too many candidates apply to positions that require additional education. While there is no discussion that a Recruiter will first consider whether you have the appropriate degree, it doesn’t mean that these roles are off-limits if you have not pursued your academic education before entering the work market. It is never too late to prepare for a managerial position with an MBA course, for instance. indeed, you will find plenty of reputable and high-quality online universities that provide just the right level of follow-up you need to manage
You can also earn your degree faster than on-campus students through specialist study models. In other words, if you’re looking for career progression, it can be advantageous to take the time to add new academic qualifications to
CareerAlley links to our learning resource partners.
#3. You write a personal cover letter
Cover letters might sound like the last thing you want to produce, especially in an age when all it takes to apply for a job is a few clicks. Nevertheless, when most candidates share a common background, your cover letter can make the difference between another resume in the pile and a promising candidate. Your cover letter is necessary; it is designed to catch the attention of a recruiter. In fact, a clear cover letter can help you to convey your brand and value proposition, which can potentially put you in the top 2% of applicants. As many candidates create a perfunctory cover letter that serves as a preamble to the resume, you can use it as a tool to make your first impression. You have between 250 and 400 words at your disposal to introduce yourself.
Use the cover letter to show that you’ve done your research about the company and the hiring manager; it is proof of your interest. Finally, make sure to use the letter as an incentive to check
#4. You’re going the extra mile to share relevant material
For mid-level to high-level positions, you can maximize your chances by giving a little extra to the Recruiter. Take a look at Airbnb Nina who was so keen to work for her favorite holiday rental company that she created a tailored website to get their attention. At the time Nina got in touch, Airbnb didn’t have a job opening to suit her skills. But she decided to be proactive and produce research material that could prove useful for the expansion strategy of the company. Her efforts got her noticed, by Airbnb and many others. In the end, Nina didn’t get the job with the tourism company, but she landed an exciting position with a company that needed her data-driven analysis, Upwork.
#5. Your LinkedIn profile is trustworthy
The first thing a Recruiter checks when they receive
Links to thousands of business, technology, creative skills, and development courses.
#6. You have volunteering experience
While volunteering experience might not be a game-changer at first, it can make the difference between equally attractive candidates. indeed, volunteering gives you the opportunity to learn new skills and to show dedication and motivation that isn’t money-oriented. This is the perfect platform to demonstrate transferable skills to a potential employer.
#7. You speak a foreign language
It’s fair to say that unless a job requires you to speak a foreign language on a daily basis, most candidates assume that their linguistic skills are irrelevant. In reality, while the position you apply for might not have a need for your language skills, the business strategy might rely on your abilities for future growth.
Speaking Chinese, Spanish or Arabic can be a substantial differentiating factor. indeed, with 1.2 billion native Chinese speakers in the world, no business can ignore the importance of the language in trade agreements. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the US. Arabic gives you access to the Middle East market.
#8. Don’t rock the interview, run it
Last, but not least, you can use the interview to demonstrate your enthusiasm. Aside from researching the company, you should be preparing questions. Ultimately, a recruiter is looking for someone who is so excited about the role that they are asking most of the questions. Asking about the department’s growth strategy or how to make a difference in the job may not provide you with clear answers, but it will indicate you care about the position.
The secret to landing a dream job is to get noticed by the Recruiter at every stage of the process.
