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The Difference between Silver and Gold in the Job Search
In the Olympic Games, the difference between a silver medal and gold is often an imperceptible, tiny distinction, and it’s frequently open to interpretation. At least in sports, however, the silver medalists still receive recognition for their effort.
In the job hunt, those tiny distinctions can make the difference between having the gold medal - a job - or nothing at all. When hundreds of people are contending for one opportunity, there’s going to be more than a little competition.
Five tips for standing out from your rivals:
5. Study the playbook: The job description is your cheat sheet to make it into the big leagues. Study it, be able to answer questions about your experiences, and make sure your application materials fit the requirements. If it says “demonstrated leadership and communication skills,” make sure your bullet points demonstrate your leadership and communication skills (see more about this in tip #2).
4. Make a game plan: If you know a fair amount about a company going into an interview, it sends a strong signal that you’re a serious candidate. You need to have a depth of knowledge that goes beyond merely skimming their website. Look into company and industry news, know what’s affecting them, and know how you can make a difference.
3. Get some people on your team: Networking is the single best way to land a job. In fact, 2 out of 3 people get their job through someone they know. You need to make some connections in your targeted industry or field. Then, simply ask for an informational interview, and talk to them about what they do. Remember, you’re not asking anyone for a job… you just want more information. But if you make a good impression, they will remember when an opportunity comes along – not the random person who sent his resume through Monster.
2. Highlight your home runs: You’d be shocked at how many people list mundane job descriptions on their resume – things like “Assisted customers and performed customer service duties.” You need to think about what makes you different than the person who held the job before you. Have you won any awards? Do you manage or work with a team? Maybe you worked 30+ hours per week while taking a full class load. Show the recruiter how you made the most of your previous experiences – and how you’ll put those skills to work for them.
1. The post-game wrap-up: Many job seekers lose the game in the bottom of the ninth. They think the process is over when they finish their interview. In fact, only 25% of people follow up after an interview with a thank-you note. Gee, I wonder which 25% of people are most likely to be hired? Send a note within 24 hours (e-mail is fine) and be mention something you talked about. Don’t let the end of your interview be your final word.
Follow these tips, and you should be swingin’ for the fences in no time. Good luck.