How To Stand Out In A Job Search. It’s Probably Not What You Think.
Erin Allett
Career Education Leader @ Michigan Ross | Leadership & Professional Development | Org, Teams & People Strategist |??Career Coach to Mid-Career Professionals
How do I stand out?
One of the most common questions I hear from high-performers as they’re thinking about a career change or find themselves in an active job search is something along the lines of…
How do I stand out on my resume?
How do I sell myself to make sure I land the job offer?
How do I differentiate myself and get someone to take a chance on me switching to a new role or industry?
It Is Not. About. Your. Resume.
We could talk about on how including results and aligning your skills with the skills you see in the job description can allow you craft a strong resume.
But I’m not going to. Not today.
We could talk about how your LinkedIn profile, resume, and cover letter should be working together to communicate your professional brand.
Nope. Not that either.
Because that’s NOT what will allow you to stand out in this process.
Focusing only on a resume, it's way too short sighted. It's dangerously myopic and misses the bigger picture. The real source of confidence and power in a job search.
It’s not about some pithily written LinkedIn profile either.
You Stand Out By…
Knowing and owning your strengths [no, not your skills].
Discovering what I call your Unrepeatable Strengths:
- what you do best
- what you enjoy the most
- how you add value
Getting clear on what YOU want and where you're headed.
Having a vision of where you’re headed and an infectious energy and enthusiasm about that vision.
Sharing that vision with others and asking for help.
Defining exactly what you need to be at your absolute best. What you need from your work environment, coworkers, manager. What you need when it comes to things like salary and your commute.
They know what they need, and they're not afraid to ask for it in a really human humble way.
High-Performers Who Stand Out Do This:
Those who stand out in a job search have the courage to put that out into the world:
- what they want
- what they need
- what their unique value is - what only they can bring
They leverage the the art of storytelling - their own unique story - to build connection and rapport with other people.
By knowing their vision, they are able to approach networking and interview processes from a place of pure confidence grounded in exactly who they are and who they’re becoming.
By knowing their value, they’re on a mission to find ways that they can add value throughout the job search process. And as a result of the process in a new role with a new team and organization.
And It’s Freaking Magical
But those who stand out and move into or closer to work that they actually wake up excited to do, they don’t start the career change process scouring job boards for inspiration just hoping that divine intervention will finally take over and plop “the perfect” job description on their laps that finally gets them excited about their career. [Sidenote: the perfect job doesn't exist.]
It ain’t happening.
Those who stand out commit the time, energy, and focus to figuring out who they are and who they want to become.
They take back control of their career and their career story.
And because they dedicate a small amount of time to going deep into this work, they are the ones who find the power and confidence to chase their dreams and maneuver a difficult process - hello, career changes ain’t easy - with resiliency, charisma**, and finesse that ultimately makes them successful well beyond their first pivot out of the wrong job.
**book recommendation: The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane
Where Do I Even Start?
I get it. That was me not all that long ago when I realized I chased someone else’s dream, was on the completely wrong path, and had no idea what I actually wanted to be doing or what I was even good at.
Take a First Step
Connect/Follow Me on LinkedIn
If you found this article helpful in any way, connect with or follow me on LinkedIn. I post career tips, ideas, insights, and advice here almost daily. Shoot me a message too - I’d love to hear how things are going and if I can answer any questions.
6-Step Roadmap
Check out The 6-Step Roadmap my clients use to get out of the wrong job and into a career they’re excited about. This will give you the big picture of how getting clear with who you are and what you want builds into job search strategy and execution.
Career Strategy Session
Sometimes it helps to talk things out. If you want to stop spinning in your own thoughts and you’re ready for a fresh brain and set of eyes and ears on your situation, schedule a 45-minute Career Strategy Session. We'll discuss why making a change is important to you right now and how to overcome the biggest obstacle getting in your way.
Until next week,
Erin