How to Stand Out in a Job Search – Ways To Be Seen, Not Overlooked

When you’re searching for a new job, you want to end up somewhere that’s a good fit. But how do you make sure your search ends with you? Instead of ending up in the proverbial pile? That’s where other things come into play like your resume, cover letter, and interview.

Or the more colloquial expression: how you stand out. As silly as it might sound, there are small details that can set you apart from the rest of the pack – and in a job market as competitive as today’s, those little differences can land you that new job of yours.

Research the Company Before Your Interview

When you land an interview for a company, you want to make a good impression. But if you go in completely unprepared, you might unintentionally put a lot of distance between you and the position.

Before your interview, do some research on the company to find out more about their culture, leadership team, and mission. By doing so, you’ll show that you’re interested in more than just the job title. You’ll also add a layer of substance to your interview by showing that you’ve taken the time to learn more about the company and its purpose.

Be Present On Career Sites

The world is full of career sites, and it can be overwhelming when you’re trying to find a job. For anyone who’s tried it, we know how bad it can feel to have your focus so full that you barely have time to breathe.

The problem with all that is that it’s actually a great way to be overlooked – it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of jobs in the market and end up not seeing them at all. Make sure that you’ve got your full attention on job sites, and that you’re making regular visits throughout the day.

And even better yet: when you’re on a job site, try to actively look for opportunities that you don’t yet have an interest in. That way, you’ll be better able to stay present on the site and see opportunities that may otherwise have been overlooked.

Create a Conversation When You’re Networking

Networking isn’t just something you do while you’re applying for jobs. It’s also a great way to make connections, and to establish relationships with those who can help you find new work. And while you might not be able to make new friends with every conversation, many people will be happy to talk with you when you show genuine interest in their lives and careers.

When you’re networking, focus on creating conversations with those you meet. Networking is all about finding ways to have conversations, so instead of just saying “hi” or “talk to me about your career,” try to actively participate in the discussion. That way, you’ll not only be building relationships, but you’ll also be finding ways to add value to the people you meet. Networking doesn’t just have to be with strangers, either. Plenty of hiring managers and executives are happy to meet with you when you have a networking meeting, so make the effort to meet with those you meet on a daily basis.

Don’t Assume It’s Too Late to Employers

It’s common to feel that you should already be in a new job, and that you should be actively looking. But that’s not how it works – no matter how far into the job search you are, there will be more opportunities in the future. And those opportunities may not come for a while – they might even be a few months down the road. What’s more, you never know when you may suddenly find a new role that is exactly what you’re looking for.

Instead of putting all your energy into the search, try to keep an open mind about the possibility of something completely different – something that might just walk through your door. What if, in your current role, you find yourself thinking about a new career path? Keep an eye out for those signs. They don’t have to be loud and in-your-face – they can be subtle, like a nagging feeling that your current job isn’t what you want for the long term.

What those signs mean is that you need to rethink your plan, and think about what you’d like to do next. It might be time to look for a new job.

Write a Strong Resume That Reflects Your Experience

There’s a popular saying in the job market: “You get what you get, and you don’t get upset.” And while that might not sound like you’re getting ahead in your job search, it actually is. The problem is that many job seekers have a bad attitude about their resume and about the hiring process in general – and that attitude ends up taking up a lot of space that it doesn’t have to.

Before you start your resume, keep in mind that a lot of people think resumes are outdated and unnecessary – and they’re right. So, you don’t need to spend a lot of time on your resume – instead, use it to help highlight your skills and how they relate to the job that you’re applying for. Use the interview to get into more details and use the resume to get the interest. Use numbers, data and facts to back up your successes.

Show What You Can Do For the Job You Want

Remember that you’re not just looking to land a job – you’re looking for a job that’s a great fit for you. That means that you want to make sure that the job you’re applying to has something to offer you. So, when you’re looking at a job that you’re interested in, don’t just look at the title – look at the duties and responsibilities, and see if there’s something there that you can do. You can also do this by thinking about what skills you have that can help you do your job better. And if a job doesn’t have those skills, you can suggest what you can do instead to help the company. You can also do this by asking someone in the company to recommend a job opening to you.

Stay Consistent In Your Job Search Communications

Remember that you’re not just trying to land a job – you’re trying to land the right job for you, one that gives you the opportunity to grow and contribute. That means that while your resume and cover letter are key parts of your job search, they’re only one part.

Throughout the job search, it’s important to keep in mind that your audience is not just the person who is hiring you but also the person who is reading your materials. This person will see that you’re consistent in your job search, that you’re actively looking, and that you’re adding value to your search.

What you need to do is show them that you’ve taken time to research the company, that you’re present on career sites, that you’re actively networking, that you’re adding value, and that you’re staying consistent in your job search communications.

Conclusion

Doing anything well takes practice. If you want to be seen as a great candidate, you need to practice being seen. You need to go out and meet people and create those connections, go to networking events, and make those phone calls. You need to go to career events and speak with hiring managers. You need to be consistent in all of these things, and do them every single day. If you do, you will see improvement and you will be seen as a great candidate.

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More about Bernie…

Senior Directory, Consumer Media Group at Confluent Health - Growth marketing focus on brand awareness, interest and new patient acquisition to our 44+ partner brands and 530+ locations across the US. Accountable for driving yearly business results supported by our consumer strategy and direct-to-consumer roadmaps.

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