Tips to help you stand out from the crowd

I was helping a young man looking for his first job, and boiled down my advice to this:

·?????? Don't ask, offer

·?????? Give, and your more likely to get

·?????? Be Visible

·?????? Show Up

·?????? Follow up

These are simple thoughts but more absent than violated.

Don't ask, offer

--Do your homework: research the company, the person you're in contact with and the person you'll be interviewed by. You'll find out some interesting facts that will allow you to contribute to and guide the conversation. Examples include 1) Articles, particularly in trade publications (digital and print) relevant to the business of the company/division/brands to which the interview is related.

2) Presentations, speeches, social media posts...publicly available and shared content that gives you insight to the needs of the company. Remember, they're looking for a solution to a problem. By showing you understand the need, you can more effectively position yourself as the right solution

--Proactively communicate BEFORE the interview with something that is of value, relevance or interest to them. That will let them know you are different from other candidates. You'll impress the heck out of them, because most folks don't do this. It will also boost your self-confidence in the interview because you'll be prepared.

Give, and you’re more likely to get

--Dig beyond the job specs. Have a point of view on a relevant subject, and share it early in the interview. Even if they disagree with you it's a powerful way to communicate you have "a fire in

Be Visible

--Think about what the HR or hiring manager will see when they do a Google Search about you, particularly on LinkedIn, but other social media as well. YOU control that content, so make sure what's visible reinforces your relevance and fit for the position. Typically the first question you'll be asked is "Tell me about yourself?" Hint: they don't want to know where you were born, grew up or went to school. They want some insight into what your make up is, what drives you, what intrigues you, how you work with and help other people, how you respond to guidance with leadership and enthusiasm.

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The more you can establish this in ways they can discover (either before or after the interview), the more powerfully you present yourself.

Show Up

--One of my favorites sayings is: 15 minutes early is on-time, ?on-time is late, and late is unacceptable.

Also, a quote from I think it was Woody Allen. 80% of success is just showing up.

So BE THERE. Meaning be there in the moment. Engage. Make eye contact, listen, and demonstrate you understand (e.g. “So I think what you're saying is..." Everybody is flattered when their words are repeated

But also, be there in person. In my world of wine and spirits, there are a million events, tastings, fairs, distributor portfolio events, country/regional trade association events. And even if you live in Cedar Rapids and not NY, you can attend many of these virtually. You can drop comments about what you saw and learned there in your interview. By demonstrating you are already engaged, you'll separate yourself from competitors.

Follow-up

Again, a simple matter, but one where most people fail.? Find a way to communicate with the people you interviewed with. ??Whether it’s a simple thank you email, or better, a thank you email with a lagniappe.? Something that adds to or refers to a subject you discussed.? Again, give, don’t get.? Even better, send a handwritten note.? It will stand out not only because you followed up, but did so in a very personal way.? And, an opportunity to reinforce your interest and commitment and separate you from the crowd.

Lastly, make sure to follow up with all the people you networked with.? And not just those related to one specific interview.? It amazes me that people are so aggressive in looking for referrals, and then don’t follow up with the referrers to let them know status.?

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Bottom line,? a little basic courtesy and engagement can make the difference from “Get lost!” to “Welcome on board.”