While the job market has been highly competitive for many years, the challenges of standing out among your competition haven’t changed in nature. Employers are (and have been for a while) receiving far more candidates for roles they are looking to fill simply due to the availability of the internet and digital submittal of applications. The trick for employers is weeding through the unqualified candidates and finding the ones who will deliver on the requirements of the job.
The fact is that employers are looking for new talent who are passionate about a role, who are eager to learn, and excited by the opportunity to join a team and make a difference. Many jobs require a lot of on the job training that can’t be earned outside or in different positions anyway. The things that aren’t teachable, that’s what you need to highlight in your resume. Industry knowledge, personal skills, attention to detail, and an ability to collaborate effectively with team members, that’s what leads to success within a role.
Here are 4 ways you can help stand out from the crowd.
1. Position Yourself Early
Given that employers receive many, many applications for most jobs, it makes sense that they pick the most qualified of the candidates to come in for an interview. You need to know what those hiring managers are looking for from a successful candidate and position yourself appropriately to impress those readers. Highlight your past successes. Showcase your results to give them an idea of what you could do for them if you were hired. Growing a team is hard work. Make it easy for your hiring manager and show them why you are the most qualified applicant.
2. Think Outside the Resume
It’s not just a cover letter and a resume that gets someone hired. It’s the personal connection that they can make with the hiring manager. If your application reads like a robot, chances are the employer won’t be interested enough to want to work with you. Sometimes you need to do something different to stand out from the crowd. Consider visiting the office directly. Connect with employers on social media. Learn as much as you can about the company and about the team you want to join so that they know how committed you are to the role before you are even hired. One of the worst situations is when a hiring manager makes a mistake and engages the wrong person. Don’t let them think that might be you.
3. Take the Time to Write A Good Cover Letter
Since your resume isn’t likely to deliver the information that a hiring manager expects, it’s essential to catch their attention with an excellently written and super relevant cover letter. This is your foot in the door. Amongst all the templatized letters and boring language, yours needs to stand out from the crowd to make sure your hiring manager knows that you are more than just here for a job, you want to work for them. Be enthusiastic. Be specific in how you can help them achieve their goals. Show how you are willing to learn and eager to get started, and you’re already halfway to a job assignment.
4. Focus on Highly Relevant and Transferable Skills
Most resumes start by laying out precisely what relevant work experience (or education followed by relevant experience if you’re a new grad) makes you qualified for the job. That becomes a problem when the relevant experience isn’t the strongest side of your resume. Instead of wasting that prime resume real estate on things that will just confuse the recruiter, kick things off by listing your relevant skills. What does a hiring manager need you to do for them? What transferable skills relevant to the job? What do you bring to the table? All that needs to you right at the top (or at least in the top 3rd of your resume) so that recruiters or hiring managers don’t lose interest in you before they get to the information they need.
Connect with Our ESGI Recruiting Team
For more help positioning yourself for the jobs you want, connect with the recruiting team at ESGI today.