Have you been browsing the job market with little to no luck? You’re not alone.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20,000 jobs were just created in February 2019. Yet many are still left jobless with the national unemployment rate sitting at 3.8 percent.
Why the gap?
With colleges and universities expecting to award 1 million associate’s degrees, 1.9 million bachelor’s degrees, 780,000 master’s degrees, and 182,000 doctorate degrees during the
2018-19 school year, you can imagine how quickly job positions are filled by the time you even think of applying.
So, how can you stand out from the masses? Try these 6 clever ways to make hiring managers take a closer look.
Spruce Up Your Resume
No, this doesn’t mean simply switching up the font or color. Take a thorough look at your resume. Put yourself in a hiring manager’s shoes.
Does your resume reflect the type of job you’re applying for? Does your resume read well? Is it in
chronological order of importance?
To make sure you stand out as a great candidate, you have to highlight your best attributes.
If you went to a prestigious college, that should be the first thing listed. If you worked for a well-known and highly respected company, put it towards the top of your resume. If you have certain skills that pertain to that exact job, list them first in that particular section.
If you’re a little lost, look and search for resume inspiration.
Google people who have that actual job title, go to their websites, LinkedIn pages, and profiles. Pay attention to their wording of duties and tasks. It may give you
a much more focused insight into who and what the company is looking for.
Customize Your Cover Letter
If you’re serious about finding a job, your days of copying and pasting your generic cover letter should be over and done.
You must consider the fact that the hiring manager is looking at 10-20 of these a day.
One way to stand out is to customize your cover letter and tailor it to the company and
position you’re applying for.
Start with a nostalgic short story or experience of your first encounter with the brand if you have one, accompanied with pictures!
A cover letter is your selling piece to get your foot in the door. Stay professional, but hold no stops.
Update Your LinkedIn
When a hiring manager is considering someone, they will delve into that
person’s social sites, with LinkedIn being the first stop.
A hiring manager may give a glance to your Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter if it’s a high-level job or pertains to social influence in any type of way, but if nothing else, your LinkedIn can be a determining factor if you get that call.
Make sure your profile image is a clear and professional headshot. No pictures of you out in social settings like galas, clubs, or dinners.
Also, have a nice introduction in your summary section that coincides with your overall job search objective. Your page should reflect exactly what your resume says and should be expounded upon where appropriate.
LinkedIn pages are great for giving hiring managers “the full picture.” Not only can you go into
detail about each job more than you would be able to on a resume but you can also add links to actual projects, posts, companies and sites you’ve worked with or on.
Study The Interviewer and The Company
Many of us make the mistake of simply reading up on the company when we land a job interview, but you want to get to know the interviewer as well.
Look up their LinkedIn and see where they’re from, what school they when to, and where they worked before this company. See if you have anything in common.
You don’t have to add them as a friend or even bring up your insight on them, but you can alter your
answers to certain questions to be more relatable and on the same page as them.
Being prepared and knowing what you’re walking into will always make you feel much more confident and relaxed during the interview.
Dress for success.
Interview after interview can become mundane, but you must go into each with optimism.
Get that suit dry cleaned, get that fresh haircut or hairstyle, make sure your
nails are done and your shoes are shined.
If you want the role, you have to dress the part. The fact is, you already have them convinced by your talents and skills if you made it to the interview. Now you have to sell them on your personality and presence!
Send a Formal ‘Thank You’ Note
Yes, an email will do, but an actual mailed letter will wow them.
Not sure how
this works?
Purchase a blank postcard or generic thank you card, and handwrite your gratitude for allowing you to interview.
Make sure to insert some takeaways you left with from your encounter in hopes of hearing from them soon.
You must not wait a week later to do this. Mail it off by the next day so you can ensure they receive it before they’ve made their final decision.
Good luck!
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.
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