Since the start of the 2010s, most people have been searching online for new job positions. Due to this, amongst other factors, job competition is at an all-time high, which means it is more difficult to get employed.
Nowadays, employees have to be more qualified than ever—checking all the boxes of recruiters and conveying their abilities and qualities more proficiently to land job offers. Standing out from the same job pool can be quite arduous, especially considering that most applicants apply to the same positions on the same few online sites.
Are you looking to get your foot in the door? Here are four ways to stand out as a job seeker.
Get the Right Referrals
Letters of recommendation, especially those from someone affiliated with or already working for the company you are applying for, are highly regarded by recruiters. Referrals give applicants a chance to stand out as someone confident and comfortable working with and associating with their former employees, colleagues, teachers, etc.
Not to mention, referrals give more credibility to an applicant's qualifications and often show a personal side, especially if a referral is contacted before or after the first interview. Building your social network is essential when obtaining referrals or getting job leads. By applying to positions where you are already familiar with employees, you can leverage your relationship and mention it positively during interviews.
Master the Art of Cover Letter Writing
Lots of people are under the misconception that their cover letter should be something just thrown together and can just be copied for each application. If you think that way, think again.
Cover letting writing should essentially cover a few major bases: an introduction to yourself and your personal attributes—which should match qualities a company states they are looking for on their job posting or in their about me on their website, why you are relevant for the position, and why you are interested in the position. Don’t forget to research who to address the cover letter to.
Try to keep your cover letter short, a few paragraphs to a page max. Similarly, keep your resumes short, compact, and designed specifically for a company. Recruiters skim through or skip most applications if they’re too long, so don’t waste their time and get to the point.
Research, Research, Research
Do you want to show you’ll put in the time to do your job the right way? Show you’ve done the research to prove your claim that you’re the best applicant for the position.
Research a company before writing a cover letter and resume, cold calling, and interviews. Additionally, look up the person interviewing you online, and try to connect to them through LinkedIn. Develop documents, folders, or notes with basic or more extensive information about the company you are applying to and the people that work for that company, along with their work, to prepare for any possible interview questions.
As you research, you’ll get a better idea of the ideal candidate for a company. After all, nothing beats a hard work ethic and a desire to learn more.
Look to a Recruiter for Advice
Not everyone is a natural during the interview process, and many jobs online are fake or are looking for traits impossible to have for entry-level appliances. An important component in getting a new job is knowing where and how to apply for jobs.
If you are having difficulty standing out, it may be time to call in the professionals.
Staffing Solutions From One Tech Staffing
One Tech Staffing is a Minnesota-based tech staffing and recruiting firm which works with companies in the automation, engineering, medical device, biomedical, construction, and utility fields to provide experienced professionals for temporary projects. Temp work helps you gain experience on the job to beef up your resume or build connections to help you find your next position.
Contact One Tech Staffing at 952-884-9199 to learn more about how we’ve been helping people find employment for over 40 years.