When you are looking for jobs and going through the application process, you want to get the call to come back for a second interview and eventually the job offer. To do this, you need to make sure you stand out in the minds of recruiters and hiring managers, because they talk to numerous competitive applicants for the jobs you want every single day. We have put together a list of 10 tips to help you become a standout applicant in the ruthless world of job hunting.
- Network
Remember the old saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” It holds truer than ever when you are hunting for jobs. Reel in anyone or anything possible to help you find jobs in your field. Many times, it will not be your brother-in-law who will get you in contact with the jobs, but it will be the man you met through another acquaintance you made at your brother-in-law’s barbecue last year. Talk to everyone. Discount no one. - Remember Names
When you talk to anyone about possible jobs, remember to use names. Use the name of the person who referred you to them and call the person you are talking to by their name. This creates an instant connection with your prospect. If you need to, write down the names of everyone you have talked to about jobs so you do not forget, and so you can use the information and names again later. - Resume Perfection
Because so many people are applying for so few jobs, managers look for any reason at all to discount applicants. A mistake or flaw in your resume is like hanging a neon sign around your neck that says, “I really don’t care.” - Make Yourself Valuable
Connect your skills and work experience to the description for the jobs and needs of the organizations to which you are applying. Avoid the temptation to have a standard resume to send out for all jobs. You need to tweak it each time to make sure you show how you will be a valuable asset to the company. - Don’t Pad
When we say tweak your resume, we don’t mean pad. Do not make claims for work you have not done in your past jobs. It will eventually come out that you have aggrandized yourself, and you will look dishonest. Be clear about your responsibilities for your past jobs, but show how the skills you learned in those jobs prepared you for the jobs for which you are applying now. - Be Articulate
When you talk with anyone in the company — a secretary, interviewer or manager — be sure you represent yourself well with the words you choose. Speak clearly, use intelligent language and, of course, no swearing or using vulgar words. This will help you sound much more qualified for jobs you interview for. - Do Your Homework
Before you are interviewed for any jobs, be sure you do some research on the organization. No matter how much you might say you want these jobs, your desire will be shown by your research into the companies and your ability to intelligently talk with the interviewers about the organizations. - Have Questions Ready
Another part of showing how much you want the jobs for which you are applying is to take your research a step further and have questions already prepared. In most interviews, you will have the chance to ask questions at the end, and you will make a strong impression if you can ask questions that are well thought out about the companies or specific jobs, tasks and requirements. - Send a Thank You Note
At your interviews, get the contact information for your interviewers and send them a thank you note the minute you get home. This will give them a positive reminder about you a few days later and let them know, yet again, you are serious about the job. - Be Persistent
Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up. Call until they recognize your voice on the phone. Let them know you really want these jobs. The trick is to make each call have a purpose to make their jobs easier, rather than make the call an annoyance. Ask if they need more information from you, ask if they need your resume e-mailed in another format, ask if they need more contact information for your references, etc. The No. 1 rule for follow-up phone calls on jobs: do not say, “I was just calling to see if you could give me an update about the job.” You don’t want to be a nuisance; you just want to keep yourself fresh in their minds for any jobs you apply or interview for.
By D. Blair Thompson