3 Strategies to Stand Out From Fellow Job Applicants
The landscape of today’s job market has become increasingly competitive due to Covid-19. While there are higher numbers of employers hiring this year, 2021 graduates and others looking for new employment will be competing against 2020 graduates who were unfortunate to graduate into a declining job market last year. As a result, standing out from other candidates is a crucial component to landing yourself that job you really want, and in some situations the job you really need. In order to show how you stand out from others, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Mold Yourself (Stand out by fitting in)
If you want to show that you belong in the position you are applying for, mold yourself to fit the position. In other words, you will stand out to an employer if you show how you fit in with his or her company. To start, research the company on its website and through other sources including other employees if you can. Every employer and organization has its own unique style of thinking, communicating, and operating based on their clients needs and interests. Answering the following questions can give you insight into the culture of a company:
What are their unique selling points? (USP-What makes their product or service better than competitors?)
What is important to the company’s customers, and therefore important to the company?
What kind of tone and language do they use in their content and communication?
Use this information and understanding of the company to influence the way you answer questions throughout the applications, conversations and interviews.
At the same time, be an authentic you and look for a company where the mold fits. Don’t force a square peg into a round hole and don’t embellish your skill-set in order to fit an opportunity. For example, for the skills you are lacking for a role, emphasize your enthusiasm and pension for learning.
Refine Your Resume
Read the job posting or description carefully and take note of specific keywords and phrases they use to describe the job duties and skills required. Customizing each resume to every role for which you apply to match the wording in the description will help attract the HR department’s attention. Make sure to include examples that demonstrate how you have used your expertise and skills to succeed in these areas in previous employment positions. Employers need to weed out people before selecting those to interview. Matching your resume to the employer’s needs is sometimes the first step to being selected.
Demonstrate Growth and Adaptation
The changes in the job market can cause some job titles and duties to be consolidated within an organization. A potential employer with a budget that was cut may be looking for someone who can do the job of two people. That means you might need to learn a new coding language or how to host webinars due to the increase of business being done remotely. If you have hardware as part of your career you may need to upgrade to the latest tech. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to include it on your resume to show the employer how you are self motivated and adaptable to be ready for new situations in your career path.
Using these tips can help you stand out and enable employers to see your unique selling points that make you the best candidate for that position.