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How can a job seeker stand out?
As co-coordinator with my colleague Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, I am proud to help launch a new community of expert career advisors and resume writing professionals called the called the Career Collective. Today’s post is one of many responses to the question, “Are you a cookie cutter job seeker?” I encourage you to visit other members’ responses, which will all be linked at the end of my post by this afternoon! Please follow our hashtag on Twitter: #careercollective.
You’re a job seeker, so you want to stand out in a crowd. The LAST thing you want is to be called a “cookie cutter” applicant – someone who seems just like everyone else. We all know that the way to find a job is to stand out above a crowd. To be special – to be better.
So, the question is: How can you create your own shape?
As with many things, it may not be as complicated as you think.
- Know what you have to offer. You would be surprised (or maybe not!) to learn how few job seekers I meet can easily describe what skills they bring to the table. Being able to succinctly describe those skills in a networking setting – without resorting to the catch all/kiss of death, “I can do anything” will absolutely help you stand out. Follow THIS link for more ideas about your “elevator pitch.”
- Be a problem solver. Pitch yourself as a solutions oriented hire. Look for the organization’s “pain points” and identify ways that you can help. Remember – it’s all about what YOU can do for them! (Hat tip to Michael Long/The Red Recruiter and Stephanie Lloyd/Dream Job Radio.)
- Recommend someone on LinkedIn for helping you. This really shows that you want to pay it forward. Have something nice to say? Well, say it! (Another hat tip to Michael Long/The Red Recruiter and Stephanie Lloyd/Dream Job Radio.)
- Know where to look. I teach clients to identify organizations and companies, not specific jobs. The fact is, most jobs are not actually advertised. (It may be as many as 70-80% of positions.) Rather, they are filled via networking and referrals. Stop spending all of your time looking for jobs. Research and target organizations instead and you will automatically stand out as someone not overly concerned with focusing on a specific job and more interested in the big picture.
- Use your ears more than your mouth. Ever been in a room full of people networking? They are all talking, but no one seems to listen? Be the listener. People LOVE listeners! Make a point to connect with people on a social and emotional level and you will stand out. (Learn more about this HERE.)
- Follow up! How many times have you networked your heart out, only to find yourself busy and overwhelmed? You didn’t make an effort to follow up and really connect after the event or to re-touch base online? Don’t let an opportunity slip through your fingers. Learn how to stand out by following up HERE. (There are probably some tips there you haven’t considered…They could change your job search for the better!)
- Great materials. This is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, most resumes are simply not very good. There are basic concerns – aesthetics, grammar, verb tense, consistency. These are not difficult to address. The bigger concern is making sure the resume specifically focuses on the employer’s needs and highlights the job seeker’s skills and accomplishments. If you are sending out a resume that lists “stuff” that you have done but is not adequately connecting to the employer’s needs, you are missing a key opportunity to stand out in the crowd.
There is no one ‘right’ way to look for a job that works for every person. So, don’t try to mold yourself into someone else’s shape. There is no “right” resume. There is no “best cover letter.” Not everyone likes or appreciates being approached the same way. So, stop trying to find the holy grail – it does not exist. Do your best to be your best. Go a little beyond the expected. You may be surprised.
Feel free to add your 2 cents to the comments…How can a job seeker stand out?
How have my colleagues responded? Follow us on Twitter with our hashtag #careercollective and read these posts:
Megan Fitzgerald, Career By Choice’s Expat Success Tips:
Ongoing Career management is No Longer Optional for the Expat in Today’s New World of Work
Top Margin: Gayle’s Blog:
Sabotaging Your Prospects: Cookie-cutter Style
J. T. O’Donnell of Careerealism:
Cookie-cutters are for baking…not job searching
Chandlee Bryan of The Emerging Professional:
On the cookie-cutter approach to the job search: Do you need a recipe?
Laurie Berenson of Sterling Career Concepts:
Job seekers: Break out of the mold
Dawn Bugni, The Write Solution
Is your job search “cookie-cutter” or “hand-dropped”?
Heather Mundell of Dream Big Coaching Services:
How not to be a cookie-cutter job seeker
Rosa Vargas of Creating Prints Resume Writing:
Creating Prints Being a cookie-cutter jobseeker is a misfortune
Grace Kutney, Sweet Careers:
Passive Job Seeker = Cookie Cutter Job Seeker
Barbara Safani, Career Solvers Blog:
Cookie Cutter Resumes Can Leave a Bad Taste in the Hiring Manager’s Mouth
Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, Career Trend Blog:
Eating Bananas Doesn’t Make You an Ape
Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters Tips Blog:
Avoiding Being a Cookie-Cutter Job-seeker In Your Resume and Throughout Your Job Search
Heather R. Huhman, HeatherHuhman.com:
Break the Mold: Don’t Be a Cookie Cutter
Forget the cookies! Start with vision
Career Sherpa, Hannah Morgan
Are you a cookie cutter job seeker?
Learn how I can help you navigate your job hunt!
photo by alessandropinna
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Hi Miriam
How exciting that you and Jacqui are teaming up for #careercollective! This will be a great collaboration and I look forward to following.
My observation is that far to few people pay attention to your advice about to “Know where to look” and to target organizations, not jobs. This can not be reinforced enough!
Best wishes -Joe
Joe Lavelle´s last blog ..Businessman Finds Way to Feed Kids in Tanzania
Joe – Thanks so much! I agree – targeting organizations seems to be a plan most job seekers don’t follow. Maybe we can win a few converts to the idea!
[...] Miriam Salpeter, Keppie Careers: How Can a Job Seeker Stand Out? [...]
Miriam, terrific, thought-provoking post here! The phrase that really resonated with me is “How can you create your own shape?”. Isn’t that so true? Breaking out of the mold and doing something different allows a jobseeker to be proactive, original and at the very least, be seen to be doing something that shows creativity. How can anyone compete in such a tough environment unless he or she stand outs and makes something happen? Great job!
Gayle – Thanks so much! It’s so nice of you to stop by. I think that jobseekers don’t realize that it is not SO difficult to break out of the mold. It takes effort, but it is not impossible! I’m so glad that you are participating in the Career Collective and look forward to many shared ideas!
Miriam,
Excellent post with many great points, tips and references for job seekers! One of many points I loved is that there is ‘no holy grail.’ Too often, people (particularly at the outset of their search) hunt for that secret weapon, that perfect solution, that perfectly designed resume with the font that won’t offend, buzzwords that everyone will gravitate toward and design that is guaranteed to win them the interview and job.
Instead, as you say, job seekers should create their own shape through a series of steps that tie to their unique personality and career differentiators. We ALL have unique traits. Then, understanding the target audience’s needs, listening (good point) and engaging others is imperative to propelling job search traction … and results!
Well put, Miriam!
And, like you said over at my blog, I am so delighted we are partnering to create and manage this Career Collective initiative. What exciting opportunities await!
Jacqui
Miriam,
Great points! I would add that creating a strong online identity through sites like Google, Zoom Info, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook can also help you break out of the mold.
Jacqui – Yes – the “magic wand” that every job seeker wants yet alludes us all. In fact, I often wonder how useful it would be if there were one “right” approach to the job hunt. Thanks so much, and ditto regarding the collaboration!
Barbara – Isn’t it amazing how the Internet offers so much opportunity for job seekers to define themselves? Thanks so much for your thoughts!
Your points are action oriented and if I were looking for a job, I’d use this list. Love the stand out, create your shape focus!
Valuable tips, Miriam! I particularly think it’s important to remind jobseekers to follow up during their networking efforts. It’s so easy for things to slip between the cracks.
This is an excellent, informative blog post! We plan to share it with our Career & Job Seeker Tweeps.
Best,
Hayley Hudson
J2B Marketing
@j2bmarketing
Hayley Hudson´s last blog ..5 LinkedIn Profile Branding Mistakes To Avoid
Miriam,
Excellent and valuable tips & useful information for job seekers. Thank you so much……..