You’re looking for a job, but the market is tight. How can you stand out from the competition?

First, start with a strong base resume that is already targeted to the type of job that you want. Then, take 30 minutes to tweak the resume to match the job description. Specifically, you need to match 60-75% of the keywords from the job posting to make it through the computer screening, aka the Applicant Tracking System (ATS.) If you aren't sure how to do that, check out Jobscan.co which allows you to upload your resume and compare it to the actual job posting. Not only will it give you the percentage match, but also tell you which specific words you are missing.

Having an outstanding resume will be very helpful, but I also believe that having personal experiences you can talk about in your interview that aren't written on paper has a different value. Anyone can have the perfect resume done with the help of multiple tools online. You have to show your personality from the second you start talking. Resumes are useful for making a good first impression, but just that.

In a competitive job market, differentiate yourself by showcasing a combination of specialized skills, relevant achievements, and a unique personal brand. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight specific contributions and results. Utilize networking opportunities to make personal connections and express enthusiasm for the industry. Consider showcasing a portfolio or personal projects that demonstrate your capabilities. Emphasize adaptability and a proactive attitude, illustrating how you can bring value to the organization despite challenging circumstances. Standing out often comes from a combination of skills, presentation, and a genuine passion for your chosen field.

Don't forget to highlight in your targeted resume what your brand is. What makes you stand out next to someone else with a similar background and how does that benefit the organization? Are you a relationship builder, a lifelong learner, customer focused... knowing what added value you bring beyond the requirements of the roles and being able to express that can help you stand out.

Job seekers should use gen AI/LLMs to their advantage for this step. Customizing resumes and cover letters can ensure that your resume is picked up by the ATS. You can do this by making sure you add the right keywords to your resume. A simple prompt to extract the right tools and importance score for a data analyst role is shown below: "You are a recruiter and have a job description for a data analyst position. Identify the necessary data analytics tools the candidate should be familiar with. ### Rules: - Read the job description thoroughly - Extract and output all the data analytical skills mentioned in the job description - Order the tool by importance, from the most important to the least important"

The mistake that 98% of job seekers commit is ineffective and scattered networking. Don't random network. Instead, employ Strategic Networking: ? Develop a target list of companies and start following them and their news ? Develop a target list of influencers in your areas of interest on LinkedIn and start engaging with their content in a meaningful way, contributing to the conversation ? Don't reach out cold to people on LinkedIn or say lazy things like "we're both on Linkedin, so let's connect", or "I'd love to grow my network". Have a genuine reason why you are requesting a connection. Remember 1 meaningful, targeted and engaged connection > 10 spray and pray networking reach-outs. Invest your time wisely and avoid networking burnout.

Create a professional LinkedIn profile with a professional photo, detailed work history, and recommendations. Develop a personal website or portfolio showcasing your work, projects, and achievements. Attend industry events, conferences, and networking mixers. Connect with professionals in your field on LinkedIn and participate in relevant groups or discussions.

AI-powered resume writing tools are making it easy for job seekers to come up with superbly written resumes. As such, job seekers will need to over-index on networking and building relationships. One way is through connecting with people on LinkedIn who have 'hiring power'. Not using the "I am looking for a data job, here is my resume" type of approach but via showcasing your value. Before getting in touch with them, thoroughly research each company by reading articles, listening to interviews, surveying customers, using their products, and more. Gain a comprehensive understanding of their challenges and goals (very important). Build relationships by showcasing your value via "value validation projects".

Many people are intimidated by networking. Rather than conducting a frantic and desperate outreach, take a strategic approach to your networking. We recommend taking a different tactic based on your Inner Network (people you know) and your Outer Network (people you don't know yet.) Create an actual plan where you reach out to 5-20 people every week. Add quantifiable metrics to that. Do you want to land a new connection on LinkedIn, or is your goal to set up an informational interview with a new or existing connection? The more you define your specific networking goals, the more effective you will be.

I actively sought job opportunities through networking and leveraging connections, despite having a background in mechanical engineering and limited knowledge about HR. It was my friends who recommended me. Surprisingly, I skipped the first and second interview rounds and went straight to the final round, securing a position in HR. Through this experience, I've gained a solid understanding of HR practices. Moving through references might not always be officially acknowledged, but there is an undeniable advantage. Therefore, I recommend prioritizing job searches within your network and connections.

Encontrar el trabajo que quieres no es cuestión de suerte. La recomendación siempre es PREPARARSE. Desde la redacción de un Currículum de Alto Impacto, hasta para realizar una entrevista donde puedas vender efectivamente tu perfil profesional hay que crear una estrategia de Mercadotecnia Personal para poder comunicar las ventajas competitivas que tienes como profesional y el valor agregado que puedes aportar a las empresas. No lo dejes a la suerte, prepárate.

Even the experience candidate can be nervous, always be prepared and practice sharing your introduction. Painting a big picture of your career story will leave a good impression to the hiring managers or interviewers. Be genuine, and be gentle, and do not rush to answer every question, think before answering. You have only one chance to answer question. Be prepared to share your motivation of applying, your motivation of working in the said role, and be prepared to share logical push and pull factors too. Are you able to engage in long dialogues in your industry? This could be a determine factor of how prepared you are.

Bringing your BEST self within each step of the interview process is crucial. Always remember you are not the only one being interviewed. Each interaction weighs in heavily on the decision making process of the hiring company. Leveraging the right Career Coach or external recruiter will help you present yourself to your best ability as that person will share best strategies and tips that others may not know, and as a result will help you stand out from the competition.

Prepararse y practicar para una entrevista es crucial para causar una buena impresión. Investiga a fondo la empresa y el puesto, y prepárate para responder preguntas comunes y desafiantes. Utiliza el método STAR para estructurar tus respuestas, proporcionando ejemplos específicos de situaciones pasadas. Practica tus respuestas en voz alta y busca retroalimentación de amigos o mentores. Grabarte a ti mismo puede ayudarte a evaluar tu lenguaje corporal y mejorar tu comunicación. La preparación y la práctica aumentarán tu confianza y te permitirán comunicar claramente tu valía durante la entrevista.

Don't forget to send the thank you note to everyone who interviewed you, including the HR department and recruiters. On average, only 10% of job seekers send thank you notes. Whether it's a physical card or an email, a well-written and relevant thank you can help you stand out from the crowd.

Después de la entrevista, es esencial realizar un seguimiento y expresar gratitud. Envía un correo electrónico de agradecimiento al entrevistador dentro de las 24 horas posteriores, reiterando tu interés y entusiasmo por el puesto. Agradece por el tiempo dedicado, destaca tus cualificaciones y tu idoneidad para el trabajo. Puedes mencionar algo específico discutido durante la entrevista y hacer preguntas adicionales. Este seguimiento muestra profesionalismo, destaca tu interés y te mantiene presente en la mente del entrevistador.

To stand out from the crowd in a job search, your skills and knowledge play a significant role. Therefore, don't solely concentrate on acquiring new skills; also, pay attention to areas where you may be lacking and the reasons for not succeeding in interviews. Achieve this by seeking feedback from the HR professionals involved in the interview process. Learn from the identified gaps and enhance those specific skills before applying for another job. Recognize the high value of learning from mistakes and actively seek feedback after each interview.

Por último, es crucial buscar retroalimentación y aprender, ya sea que obtengas o no el trabajo. Si enfrentas un rechazo, no lo tomes de manera personal y no te desanimes. En cambio, solicita comentarios constructivos al empleador sobre tu desempe?o y úsalos para identificar tus fortalezas y áreas de mejora. Reflexiona sobre tus acciones y comportamientos, reconociendo lo que hiciste bien y considerando cómo podrías mejorar. Buscar retroalimentación y aprendizaje te ayudará a desarrollar tus habilidades, mejorar tu rendimiento y aumentar tus posibilidades de éxito en el futuro.

Don't be scared to reach out to hiring managers directly, especially in competitive fields. And no, that is not the recruiter - it is your potential future boss. Most are just as frustrated with HR as the job seekers, which is why they are open to communication from candidates.

Create a professional LinkedIn profile with a professional photo, detailed work history, and recommendations. Develop a personal website or portfolio showcasing your work, projects, and achievements. Skill Development: Acquire new skills or certifications that are in demand in your industry. Showcase your commitment to continuous learning on your resume.

Standing out is always a requirement whether a tight market or not. Focus on what is it that you bring to the industry. While discipline and determination helps you sail through tough times… Creativity and uniqueness helps you excel in such times. A tough market is an opportunity to stand out and develop your niche. Start with analysing the trend, be proactive on what skills you need to develop in next 6 months, talk to people in the industry, be ready to burn the midnight oil in dark times for a brighter future.

Do your research. Find out all you can about the company and role before your first interview. Come prepared to share how your values, skills and interests match up and what makes you uniquely qualified. So many candidates go to interviews without this preparation and this will set you apart and show you value the interviewer’s time. And don’t apply if it’s not a great fit. Life is too short and there are too many great opportunities for you to settle!