HOW TO STAND OUT AND BECOME UNFORGETTABLE!

I am not telling you something you haven’t heard before - the job market for millennials is more competitive than ever before!

Multi-national companies and external recruiters may put you through 4 stages of tests before the final interview! Yes, 4 stages!

Back when the haircuts were longer and the jeans were wider, you just had to turn up and persuade the employer you were right for the job. How days have changed!

Do not lose hope; there are ways around all of this:

1)  The power of small to medium sized companies

2)  Hands-on experience

3)  Game-changing story telling

4)  Super-slick selling skills

The power of small to medium sized companies

Many of us are conditioned into thinking that we must work for a multi-national company or we are not successful. University careers fairs are saturated with huge companies and the truth is that a very low percentage of us will actually go to work for them.

Do not give up on applying to larger companies, but instead have a structured plan. For every large company you apply to, do your homework on a smaller company which is also in that sector.

Why, though?

Smaller companies are easier to contact and you can easily send a nice message on LinkedIn or a letter to senior management. Alternatively, drop into their office and let the manager know who you are and tell them what you are looking for – this will show a lot of courage!

Usually, smaller companies will be looking for all the help they can get. Ask at the right time and you never know what can happen.

Working in a smaller company means being exposed to more at an earlier stage –jumping in at the deep end! Prove your worth, work your way up the ladder quicker and then get headhunted by the big cheese.

Last words…

Revise and integrate some smaller players into your career plan.

Hands-on experience

10 years ago it was maybe acceptable to get a 1st or 2:1 classification and walk straight into a great job, nowadays employers are turning away from this and are focusing on the stuff that really matters – experience!

What can I do?

Get a part-time job, summer job, volunteer, do charity work or secure an internship.

If you cannot get experience in your chosen field do the next best thing and grab any experience you can – you would be surprised where a part-time job in a bar can actually lead you.

Each and every situation you experience you will be sure to meet new contacts and with a little luck and social skills, you may find that golden opportunity in the place you least expect it.

Last words…

Don't worry if you are not getting that 1st, instead learn real life skills that are fast becoming the keys to success.

Game-changing story telling

Have you ever met someone, and days later you find yourself thinking what an interesting person they are? It is most likely that they told you about a really cool story or maybe a unique fact about their life.

Employers are humans too, believe it or not, and they are also interested in storytelling.

Storytelling? I am no Shakespeare…

Firstly, you need to arm yourself with some stories – last summer's holiday, previous work experience or the time you won the athletics event at high school. These are all examples of stories that add to your personality and show some depth to your character. Select the chosen few that best show you off your different attributes.

Secondly, practice them out loud or to your friend so you become fluent in explaining and structuring these interesting insights about yourself.

Lastly, go out and experience more so you have more stories to tell.

Last words…

Get storytelling!

Super-slick selling skills

Okay, you do not need blindingly white teeth or brylcreemed hair! But you do need to be able to sell yourself effectively.

The world is more competitive than ever and with digital taking over people are forgetting about face-to-face communication.

Sadly, this is a skill that many people do not get taught because universities do not have it in their curriculum – a skilled speaker will never be short of opportunity.

How to sell like Jordan Belfort…

Get yourself on YouTube and type in SPIN selling or how to sell – there are literally thousands of pieces of content on selling. I would recommend buying the book SPIN selling by Neil Rackham, this is a best seller.

Join your universities debating or mooting society. This will give you first-hand experience in talking under pressure whilst trying to achieve a goal – that is all selling really is.

Plan a 2-minute elevator pitch about yourself, explaining your key skills and why you’re the best fit for the job. Commit this to memory because you just don’t know when you may need it.

Last words…

Get out there and practice.

P.S. The European student Sales competition is being held in Edinburgh at the end of May 2017 – get your name down!

Helpful books

Speaking/storytelling

·     Talk Like TED: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds by Carmine Gallo

Selling

·     SPIN?-Selling: by Neil Rackham (these concepts can be applied to selling anything, including yourself)

Where to research companies

·     LinkedIn.com

·     Glassdoor.com

·     Their own website