Standing out from the crowd is not always easy, especially
if academically you’re pretty average. There is always a plethora of younger,
brainier, prize-winning ‘cream of the crop’ types vying for the best jobs – so
why would an employer notice your application? Here’s some top-tips to help get
your application considered…
1. Get Online
When did you last Google yourself or try to find your
profile on Linkedin? If you’re seriously hunting for a job you should be
regularly checking and maintaining your online persona. It should be complete,
relevant and consistent between platforms.
You wouldn’t send a recruiter a half finished resume, so
make sure that you’ve carefully completed your online profile. By filling out
each section you’re maximising your chances of showing up in search results.
Don’t just talk about what you’ve done…reveal where you want to be! E.g. If
you’re interested in moving into a specific industry or sector mention it on
your profile and be as specific as you can (without closing doors for yourself):
“Looking for marketing/sales, product development roles for SMEs & fast
growing enterprises within Tech/Media sector”
Things to avoid: Vague un-inspiring statements expressing
only the benefits for you and not the recruiter: “my aim is now to find a role
in the corporate world suitable for building on my skills and experience”
There are hundreds of platforms, networks & forums where
you can create a profile. Perhaps choose 3 or 4 to host your profile to start
with. Choose 1 large professional networking website, choose 2 niche forums or
networks relevant to you and 1 other ‘personal outlet’ (e.g. a blog or twitter
profile). All social profiles should be kept private.
2. Get Networked
Do you know the names of the hiring manager, recruiter, HR
team at your dream company? You can easily find their professional profiles on
professional networking sites. Do a quick people search and send them an
introductory message to get connected. You can see which networks they’re in,
and other profiles they’re connected with…and if they’ve got any status updates
or comments announcing what type of candidates they’re looking to recruit!
All of these things will help you when writing a cover
letter or prospective email. Also, it helps put your profile right under their
noses…and if you’re profile is good enough maybe they’ll just invite you for an
interview!
Further reading at How
To Build a Brilliant Professional Network in College.
3. Get Creative
Obviously this comes more naturally to some, but being
creative can poll-vault your average application right onto the laps of a
recruiter. There’s the guy who created a website dedicated to asking ‘Google
please hire me’, or the girl one who personally delivered a beautiful hand-made
parcel containing their resume right to the desk of the CEO of a
multi-national. Both worked but only because both were relevant, well planned
& executed effectively.
But things can get carried away – heat sensitive resume
paper that changes colour when touched… Seems a ‘touch’ desperate perhaps? If
you want to do something wacky gauge your market carefully, perhaps try to find
others already working within that company or industry and check their
reactions to your plan, then make sure you implement it perfectly.
4. Get In-demand
When hiring someone it always is a plus point if they’re
‘in-demand’ – do they have other interviews or job offers on the table? The
best people always do…so make sure that you’re courting a number of dream
companies instead of just targeting one! Aim for your dream company (of course)
but also consider their major industry competitors. You could ‘follow’ all the
company profiles and take an active interest in industry news. When you score
an interview make sure the interviewer knows you’re being shortlisted or
offered roles with their competitors – it’ll make you irresistible!
More ideas at Personal
Branding: Blending In To Stand Out.
Sian Fleming Jones is one of the directors at
BusinessBecause.com – a website dedicated to connecting people before, during
and after their MBA. On BusinessBecause there’s loads of MBA jobs and
information about the MBA job market including an editorial series completely
dedicated to getting the inside view on top jobs. Follow BusinessBecause on
Twitter @businessbecause.
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