I’ll never forget the disgusting feeling in the pit of my stomach when I realized I wasn’t going to get the job.
Related:The Intriguing Truth About Your Dream Job
I had put all of my energy and focus into getting it. I was counting on it.
And now, I was left wondering where I went wrong.
Was it my resume? My interview? Was it me?
Here’s the thing: We only get one shot at making a great first impression.
And the truth was, I didn’t nail that first impression when I needed to.
Fortunately, I learned my lesson and got an AMAZING job months later…
And now I’d like to give you my secret to getting the attention of a great employer, and getting the job...
It’s all about presentation, right? About making a GREAT first impression?
And the truth is that a boring, traditional, resume simply doesn’t do that.
(Here’s a free resource that’ll help you out with this, by the way.)
The 3 Irresistible Resume Tweaks
Employers and recruiters see different versions of the same thing over and over…
So, if you want to stand out from the crowd and get your dream job, then you can’t be afraid to be different. Here’s how:
1. Show The Proof
Think of it this way: Your job, and the purpose of your resume is to attract the employer and convince them to hire you.
So, you’re essentially selling yourself as the best candidate.
And one of the most powerful factors when you’re selling something is credible testimonials.
They could be from past employers, peers, mentors, or teachers. And they’re a great way to show your character and ability to perform.
LinkedIn recommendations make it super easy to gather these testimonials. So, consider reaching out to some credible people in your network and offering to give them a testimonial.
Odds are, they’ll give you one back as well.
2. Get Online
It’s never been easier than it is today to stand out online.
The best part is, you don’t need to be tech savvy. In fact, many of the resources you’ll find here only require the ability to type.
We all know that the first thing many employers do when you apply is Google your name.
And what if what they found “wowed” them so much you were immediately shortlisted?
Or - what if your entire resume and cover letter were online… showcasing your skills and experience in a unique and authentic way…
…That also proves you’re “with the times."
Using any of the online resources here is a GREAT way to stand out from the crowd and increase your odds of getting hired.
3. Show ‘Em The Numbers
I like to encourage people to find their dream job with a company that makes a profit as well as a difference in the world…
And treats their employees like human beings rather than human resources.
As important as it is to do good - the other half of that equation is being profitable so they can stay in business. And that means hiring employees that will earn the business more money than they cost.
You’re an investment for them, and an easy way to stand out right from the beginning is to show them the numbers.
Give them tangible examples of results you’ve achieved in your career, so that it makes it easy for them to see you’ll contribute to their bottom line.
Maybe you created a marketing campaign that paid for your annual salary in a week or two.
Maybe you helped increase productivity or cut costs.
Find some way to prove that you’re worth the money, and you’ll be on track to get your dream job.
So remember, you can significantly increase your odds of getting hired by using testimonials, showcasing yourself online, and using numbers to show your value.
Happy job hunting!
Ryan Niessen is a keynote speaker and co-creator of The Gateway Method: a simple, proven way to gain inside access to the world’s best employers and get your dream job. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here.Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
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.