I hope this statement is not news to anyone; “There are 100’s, if not 1000’s of people applying for the same jobs.” For the most part, these people have the same skills, experience and training you have. You have to be a unique candidate to get the job. So find a way to be unique.
Unique means you have to put a little more effort into your preparation, presentation and interview. Here are a few tips that can help you to stand out from every other job seeker:
- Do lots of research. This includes knowing the company’s history, primary products, why is the position open, what’s most important to the hiring manager and the department as a whole. Some of this research can be done by visiting the company’s website, Facebook Page, blog, LinkedIn Company Page, the hiring manager’s LinkedIn Profile. This research can be done in informational interviews, and the interview itself. Research takes time and is critical if you want to be a unique candidate.
- Believe in yourself. If you don’t believe you can do or enjoy the job, don’t apply for it. If you don’t believe in yourself, your interviewer won’t either and your less likely to get the job. You can’t hide disbelief; an interviewer can see it in your face, your body movements and hear it in the words you use before, during and after the interview. Believe and visualize yourself in the job. This is a powerful way to be a unique candidate.
- Be proud and bold (not pompous). You are not begging for a job, you are pitching yourself as the best solution to a company need. Be proud, polite, look sharp and always have a smile on your face. Sit up straight when talking to people in any setting, including the interview. Don’t talk down to the table, rather, look your interviewer in the eye and speak clearly without rambling. Don’t feel uncomfortable asking relevant questions about the company, department and job. The interview will be much easier and you will be considered a better candidate if you have done your research and believe in yourself.
- Focus on the needs of the company, not yours. The purpose of an interview is to get a job offer, not to take a job. The wrong candidate will focus on pay and the job benefits. The right candidate will show the interviewer that they have the desire to do the best possible work. It’s not unusual for a job interview to turn into an interview for a different, even better job. This opportunity can only occur if you focus on the company’s needs first. Get the job offer, then focus on your needs.
The best candidate is not just the one with the best skills, experiences and training. The best candidate has all of this and won the trust and respect of the interviewer.
With the right skills, experiences and training you can be this candidate if you are prepared, present yourself proudly and focus on the companies needs.
Being unique in the job market is critical. Use these ideas and any others that can help you stand out in the crowd.
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* Guest post by Career Confidential Expert Teddy Burriss