These days, with so much uncertainty in many industries and global markets, as well as more people switching careers regularly, you often end up having a big pool of candidates to compete against when it comes time to find a new role. This can be particularly difficult when your local job market is declining, or when your industry is being disrupted. When this happens, you need to know how to shine, and stand out brightly from your competition. Read on for some key ways to go about this today.
Have a Stand-Out Resume
One of the key components of a strong application is your resume. This is usually the first thing HR managers or business owners see, so it really needs to show, within a few seconds, why you’re worth learning about further. You want a document that people will stop to read thoroughly, instead of just skimming before moving on to the next person’s.
There are numerous elements involved in putting together a CV that stands out. Make sure you use helpful formatting, for one. Readers have limited time, so won’t spend long on each document to begin with. As such, you must make your resume scannable (e.g. broken up into bite-size pieces of information instead of big blocks), and put the most important information first so it’s quickly evident that you have some of the skills and experience required.
Always tailor your resume to the position you want to land and the company you want to work for too. While you’ll have a template document to use as the basis, don’t keep sending out the same document to every potential employer – the jobs will likely be different in some capacity, plus the recruiters will be looking for different things. Read the job ad carefully for clues, and research firms so you get an understanding of how they work and what qualities they may want in their team members. Be sure to include any appropriate “Buzzwords” contained in advertisement you’re responding to in your resume.
Remember it’s not about simply listing your career history with job titles and examples of responsibilities. Instead, focus on specific accomplishments. What results (in numbers and percentages, wherever possible) did you create for companies over the years? How can you show you’re continually growing and learning new things?
Find ways to demonstrate exactly what you took out of your education and other training too. For example, if you completed an accredited MBA program, explain how the business skills you learned during that degree can be applied to the job you’re going for now, and how you put them to use in previous roles.
Other things to look at in your resume include using an easy-to-read font, in a decent size; avoiding fancy colors or other embellishments; picking up typos and other errors (get at least one other person to read it for you); and making sure each detail is up to date.
Get Some Interview Coaching
Once you get past the resume stage, you need to make sure you perform well in interviews too. Lots of people seem perfect on paper but then, when recruiters and business owners meet them, they disappoint. This is usually due to nerves or a lack of social skills.
To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, have some interview coaching. This is particularly vital if you find yourself being asked to come in for meetings regularly, but never progressing further. Interview coaches will help you practice answering common questions for your industry and job type, plus they can pick up on little things you do or don’t do that might put interviewers off. They can also help you to get better at thinking on your feet; and give you advice on the best way to present yourself when it comes to clothing, body language, and more.
Be Proactive
Lastly, if you want to stay ahead of your competition, be proactive. Don’t wait for jobs to become available; try to find out about them earlier, and to meet the people who could come to you instead. For example, spend time networking, online and in person. Utilize social media, which is incredibly helpful for making new contacts and showcasing your knowledge, and attend key industry events such as conferences, trade shows, forums, and talks.
Don’t be shy about getting to know recruiters either. You can approach them directly (usually be email or phone is best, but be respectful of their time), and let them know who you are, what your experience is, and the type of role you’re after. This can actually make their life easier, yet many candidates never think about trying it.
You can also approach firms you would like to work for. Introduce yourself, ask if they might have any roles coming up soon, and see if you can submit your resume for them to keep on file if not. Applying for internships or volunteering your services at the companies you’d like to work for can also pay dividends. This will give you a foot in the door, and a chance to prove yourself.
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