Standing Out as a Job Seeker

Standing out as a job seeker can be difficult for some and incredibly easy for others. Everyone wants to be in the second category because it means they will have an easier time landing a job. To stand out as a job seeker, you must do things differently from others and be able to take your search to another level. We will discuss four important methods for standing out as a job seeker in today’s post.

Have a Strong Online Presence

An important aspect of standing out as a job seeker is having a strong online presence. Consider starting a blog if you do not already have one. Make sure the content of the blog centers around your career experience and industry. Have accounts on social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+. These accounts need to be updated frequently, have appropriate content, and help showcase your personal brand. Make sure you remove all inappropriate pictures and posts from your social media sites as well. All content should position you as an industry expert, and be office appropriate.

Write Custom Cover Letters

No matter how many jobs you submit applications for, each one should be accompanied by a custom cover letter. Do a little research to find out who the hiring manager is and address the cover letter to them. When you personalize the cover letter, you show the company how dedicated you are to learning about the company and the job, and you go above and beyond a generic “to whom is may concern” introduction.

Have a Strong and Concise Resume

Your resume must be strong and concise if you want to stand out as a job seeker. This means that your resume should not include irrelevant or outdated information that does not pertain to the job for which you are applying. If you decide to apply for jobs in various industries, tailor each resume to those jobs, and use industry-specific keywords for each. Do not submit the same resume for different jobs. Remove any extra information that does not belong on your resume. Submit references on a separate sheet of paper when the company requests them.

Follow Up When Appropriate

The follow-up to a job interview is just as important as the interview itself. Job seekers who follow up appropriately will find that their job search will be much easier than those who do not. The follow-up should consist of a thank-you email the day of the interview, a handwritten thank-you note mailed to the company that same week and potentially a phone call a week or two later – depending on the timeline of the process provided to you during the interview.

Contact the experienced staffing professionals at Smart Talent to discuss the best ways to stand out as a job seeker in today’s competitive market.