Ways to avoid standing out from your competition.... in the WRONG way.
Standing out is paramount when you’re going for a new job – You want to show your prospective employer how unique your skill set is and how vast your experience is thus setting you apart from the competition.
It is however important to make sure you don’t stand out in the WRONG ways, by avoiding little slip-ups that could stop you from making a great impression.
Below are a few tips on how to avoid standing out for the wrong reasons.
Leave any job on the best terms you can
If you left your last position on bad terms, this could be a red flag to other employers.You don’t want to stand out as someone who has a negative relationship with any of your past employers. When you move on from any job, for whatever reason, try to leave on the best terms possible. At the very least, you want to part ways with a positive reference. If that’s not possible, you may need to contact other past employers for references when you’re applying for the next opportunity.
If you’re worried about your response to why you left a role, practice your answers. Avoid negativity by focusing on the positives of why you left – for example that you’re seeking a new challenge or a more challenging work environment.
Stick to the facts and be consistent
Always assume facts and figures that you provide during the application process will be cross-checked. Providing wrong or inconsistent information is a sure way to make sure that you stand out for the wrong reason. Most employers and recruiters will know the market rates for the role you work in. What you can do is be prepared and informed so you’re ready to discuss your compensation package.– It is okay and acceptable to say that you got halfway through a qualification, things changed, and you didn’t complete it.
Likewise, don’t feel you have to hide gaps in your CV or if you have decided to take a career break. Focus on what skills and experience you do have, and your ability to adapt and take on new challenges. Finally, inconsistencies could be alarm bells for employers, even if you’re not aware of them. Make sure your resume, and any other accounts or application documents all match up and paint the same picture.
Make sure your references are ready to back you up
If your referee doesn’t know you’ve put their name forward, they probably won’t be ready to vouch for you – and worse, they could hinder your chances.
Standing out as someone whose referee isn’t ready to vouch for them will only hold you back as a candidate. Always ensure that you have at least two professional referees on hand who are willing. It’s best to include people you’ve reported to – not just a colleague. Make sure that you speak with them before you start applying for jobs, even if they agreed to be your referee months before, to make sure they’re still happy to do so. Then consider getting in touch again once you’re in the running for a particular role.
How to stand out for the right reasons
By avoiding the above pitfalls, you can focus on standing out against your competition in the right way. Start with getting the basics right first: a clear, well-structured resume, a great cover letter, and an up-to-date Linked In Profile. And especially when you need to stand out in a crowded job market, it can help to find a unique selling point that sums up why you’re the best candidate for the job, plus examples of how you’ve used your skills in previous jobs.
That way, you’ll be ready to make a great impression on a potential employer, and one step closer to landing your perfect role.