Do This And Your Job Application Gets Noticed

There are few things more terrible than being unemployed and looking for a job. Somehow, regardless of whether or not the economy is doing well or poor the competition always seems fierce for every open position. To make it even worse unemployed people just seem less employable than those having a job. There are many things you can do to make it easier on yourself though and I have already shared quite a few tips over the past weeks: “Do This And Double Your Interview Invitations”, “How To Ace Your Next Job Interview”, “Job Hunting Or Hunted For Jobs?”, and “How To Tell A Story With Your LinkedIn Profile”. However, these are all tweaks that anyone can do by reading about it here on LinkedIn, but how many people actually go above and beyond in an effort to get the job? Let’s take a closer look at that and discuss whether or not this approach is realistic for you. 

Going above and beyond is not standing with a sign saying you need a job! 

These days, not a day goes by on LinkedIn without an update popping up in my LinkedIn feed telling me a new story about how one person made a special effort to get noticed. Most of them are silly and not examples to follow whereas others are flat out ridiculous like people standing by the side of the road with a sign saying “please hire me”. On the first day of March though someone did go above and beyond trying to get a job. Rather than me going into a big picturesque description of the job application, you should check it out yourself. Here’s Nina Mufleh. Nina wanted a job at Airbnb and now she might get one. At least, she has been invited for an interview which is a start. Now as to what she did. Forget about tailor-making your cover letter to the job you’re applying for. Video application? Nah, not nearly intriguing enough. Replicate the company’s website as your own application with tons of company analysis, past results and your perspective on the company’s future. Now that’s cool and something that will get you noticed! 

I don’t even know how to make a website. It will never work for me! 

Alright, alright I get it. Not everyone is a website wizard or a marketing guru. Not everyone can do this stuff. However, in every profession, there’s cutting edge stuff and then there’s ancient history stuff. If you want to be seen in the crowd of all the other applicants you better do something that only a few people within your profession can do. If you’re in Finance can you make a financial model that has all possible scenarios covered and make it appear like a real investment case at the company you're applying to? If you’re in marketing can you create a kick-ass Prezi presentation showing a road map of how you will solve the hiring manager's problems or do you still rely on good old Power Point? If you’re in Sales can you sell yourself like you would sell the company’s product using a tailor-made sales pitch that convinces the company that you can sell their products from day 1? It’s very important to realize though that what works for one individual might not work for another yet if it’s your direct competition you better know what they’re up to. Of course, going to such extreme lengths trying to get the job can make it ten times more frustrating if you end up not getting the job or not even being noticed in the crowd. It’s all about how much risk you want to put into each application. Be bold, direct and very thorough and your chances of success might be higher if you’re noticed. If you’re not noticed it would all be for nothing. On the other hand, there’s a lot of evidence that suggests that the spray and pray method i.e. applying for a ton of jobs can be quite ineffective as well. You need to do what you think is right for you and what you can commit to in terms of time and effort but don’t be blind to the fact that a targeted approach increases the chances of your best material landing in front of hiring managers and decision makers. Most often your online application to a job board posting ends up in a black hole never to be heard from again. 

Would you do it? Put this much work and effort into one application? I think it’s safe to say that most wouldn’t and yet people still find new jobs every day. But if you really want a job especially in a highly sought after company then you might need to get creative and unconventional. Seems like your competition is doing it at least! As always let me know what you think by linking, commenting and sharing. 

Here are some other posts about personal branding which can also help you land your next job. 

7 Steps To Improve Your Personal Brand

Personal Branding Is Like Building A Business

How Is Your Social Media Business Going?

How To Use Social Media For Career Building

Hi, My Name Is. The Powerful Self-Introduction

How To Rock LinkedIn In 2016 

Anders Liu-Lindberg is the Regional Finance Business Partner for Maersk Line North Europe and is working with the transformation of Finance and business on a daily basis. Anders has participated in several transformation processes amongst others helping Maersk Drilling to go Beyond Budgeting and transformed a finance team from Bean-counters to Business Partners. He would love the chance to collaborate with you on your own transformation processes to help you stay out of disruption. If you are looking for more advice on how to get the most of LinkedIn Anders also has a few tips to share as well as if you want help in your job search. Don’t be shy! Let’s get in touch and start helping each other.