The bad news is that it’s a tough, competitive job market out there.
The good news is that it’s not hard to stand out… if you know what to do.
So today, I want to give you three techniques that’ll provide the immediate boost you need for your job application to get noticed - so you can get hired for your dream job.
I’ll also share a great resource at the end that’ll help you implement these techniques as quickly and easily as possible.
Sound good?
Great. Let’s jump into the real problem.
The Real Problem
The real problem isn’t that the job market is tough, your resume stinks, or you don’t have enough experience.
It’s what I call “The Shotgun Approach” to job seeking…
You load up your shotgun with tons of templates resumes and cover letters and spray them everywhere…
To any company you can find…
And for any position that seems like it might fit.
That’s what most people do - but it’s not what you’re going to do ;).
The Real Solution
You see, the easiest way to stand out above the vast majority of the crowd right from the bat is to tailor your application specifically for one company.
I know, I know…
But what if you don’t get the job?
Well, odds are, you wouldn’t have wasted any more time on that one application than you have with using the shotgun approach.
You may have to tailor your approach specifically for two or three companies…
But here’s the great part about that. You’ll actually care about the place that you work!
By narrowing your focus, you’ll get more of what you want in your life and career… and that’s what it’s all about.
The 3 Eye-Catching Job Application Techniques
Once you’ve identified 1-3 companies that you really want to work for (think big here - what’s your ideal job?), then it’s time to use one or more of these eye-catching job application techniques.
1. Shoot A Short Video
If you’re applying for a company that you think would be impressed by a short and creative, yet professional video teasing them about the value you bring to the table, then video is without-a-doubt the way to go.
In fact, I just read yet another article about a highly desirable company making the decision to hire a new employee before they even spoke to him…
Because his simple, 1.5 min video application blew them away so much.
So, if you really want a specific job at a desirable company - then it’s worth the effort. Make a simple, creative video, and show them what you’ve got!
2. Build A Simple Website
Nowadays, you don’t need to know any coding whatsoever in order to build a simple, beautiful website.
And if video isn’t your thing or you don’t think it would impress your employer, then building a simple website might work for you.
It’s pretty much unanimous - wherever you’re looking for a job, basic technology skills are a plus.
3. Create An Online Resume
Yes, that’s correct… our 3rd technique is also online based
Why? Because it’s so easy… it’s so cheap… and the first thing any employer is going to do when you apply is Google your name!
There are plenty of tools out there, and you can get on online resume completed in a matter of hours.
Each of these three techniques will instantly make you stand out above your competition and give you a fighting shot at your dream job. Happy job hunting!
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
Is your job search turning into a grind with no end in sight? It may be time to take a step back and reevaluate your entire approach.
In cold weather climates, the beginning of spring is a time to clean the house and get organized—a practice known as spring cleaning. Through the years, spring cleaning has taken on a larger meaning with people using the time to organize and declutter things in their lives.
For professionals on the job hunt, a little spring cleaning (metaphorically speaking) could be a great way to reinvigorate your job search. Here are a few strategies your job search spring cleaning should include.
Reevaluate Your Job Search Approach
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Make a list of the last handful of jobs you applied for and see if you can identify any positive or negative trends. Consider things like:
How did I learn about this job?
How did I apply for the job?
Did I earn an interview?
What was the ultimate result?
A lot can be learned about your job search approach just by answering these questions and identifying patterns. For example:
Negative Trends
You discovered five jobs through job boards, applied to all of them via the job boards, and never heard back from any of them.
The common pattern here is applying through job boards. This isn't to say that job boards don't serve a purpose in the job search process, but they have their limitations, and you can't run your job search entirely off of them. When you apply through a job board, there's a good chance that your materials will never get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) and never be seen by an actual person.
One simple fix is to research who the hiring manager or recruiter is that posted the position and email your materials to them directly.
The more efficient fix would be to take a proactive approach by putting together a bucket list of companies that you want to work for and start making connections on LinkedIn with people who work at those companies. You may already know some people who work there or have connections that can refer you to some individuals.
This is a great way to network your way onto a company's radar.
Positive Trends
You applied to three jobs via referral, were invited to two job interviews, and made it through multiple rounds of interviews for one of the jobs before being passed over for someone with a little more experience.
The pattern here is that getting referred to a job by a professional acquaintance is a great way to land a job interview. This indicates that you're leveraging your network well and you should continue to focus on your networking efforts.
The next step is to review the interview process and determine what went well and what needs to be improved. Sometimes the interviewer will provide feedback, and that feedback can be valuable. However, not everyone is comfortable with giving feedback.
Chances are you probably have a good idea about areas of improvement and the skills you need to gain. Put together a plan for addressing those shortfalls.
The good news in making it deep into any interview process is that it indicates that the company likes you as a potential employee (even if the timing just wasn't right) and the experience could be a roadmap to a job with that company at a later date, or another similar opportunity elsewhere.
Give Your Resume & Cover Letter Some Much-Needed Attention
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Are you continuously sending similar resumes and cover letters to each job opening with only minor adjustments? If so, your strategy needs some serious spring cleaning.
The reason why it's so important to tailor your resume is that throughout your career, you acquire numerous skills, but the job you're applying for may only be focusing on 6-8 of those skills. In that case, those skills must rise to the top of the resume with quantifiable examples of how you successfully used those skills at previous jobs.
Remember, recruiters go through hundreds of resumes. They need to be able to tell from a quick glance whether or not you're a potential candidate for the position.
While updating your resume, you could also spruce up your LinkedIn profile by highlighting the skill sets that you want to be noticed for by recruiters.
As for writing a good cover letter, the key to success is writing a disruptive cover letter. When you write a disruptive cover letter, you're basically telling a story. The story should focus on how you connect with the particular company and job position. The story could also focus on your personal journey, and how you got to where you currently are in your career.
If your resumes and cover letters aren't unique, now is the time to clean things up and get on track.
Build Your Personal Brand
Just because you're looking for work doesn't mean that you don't have anything to offer. Use previous career experiences and passions to build your personal brand.
Ask yourself, "How do I want other professionals to view me?"
Pick an area of expertise and start sharing your knowledge and experience with your professional network by pushing out content on your LinkedIn and social media accounts. Good content can include blogs, social media posts, and videos.
By sharing content about your experiences and passions, you slowly build your personal brand, and others will start to notice. The content could lead to good discussions with others in your network. It could also lead to reconnecting with connections that you haven't spoken to in years, or making new connections.
You never know when one of these connections could turn into a job lead or referral. The trick is to get on people's radars. So, when you're cleaning up your job search, be sure to build a plan for personal branding.
Maintain Healthy Habits During Your Job Search
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Your job search is important, but it's even more important to know when to pull back and focus on personal health and spending time with family and friends.
There are actually things that you can do for your own enjoyment that could help your job search in the long run, such as:
Grab coffee with a friend - It's good to engage in light conversation with friends during challenging times. And if your job search does come up, remember that most people have been through it themselves and you never know when a friend may provide you with a good idea or lead on a job.
Volunteer - Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community and help others. In addition, if you develop a little bit of a career gap while looking for a job, you can always talk about how you filled that time volunteering, if you're asked about it during a job interview.
Continue to focus on other passions - Are you a fitness nut? Blogger? Crafter? Continue to do the things that bring you happiness. And if you're in a position to profit from your passion through a freelance job or side hustle, even better!
Spring is the perfect time to clean up and improve your job search so you can land the job you want. If you're struggling to find a job, follow the tips above to reinvigorate your job search—and watch your career blossom!
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.