Tips on Standing Out to Employers in a Tight Job Market

In today’s job market standing out from the crowd is crucial. Here are a few tips to help set you apart to potential employers.

• Do your research – Don’t just research the organization. Conduct research about the person interviewing you. Having knowledge about the interviewer will make you look prepared, engaged and interested in them as a person, not just a potential employer. Identify a few items such as the university they attended, hobbies, and mutual acquaintances that may act as small talk at the beginning of the interview. LinkedIn is a great resource for this type of research.
• Showcase your value – In your resume, position your skillset as the value you may add to an organization. Think about the company needs and develop a unique solution or idea around those challenges or needs. This approach will demonstrate your depth of knowledge about the company and your ability to think outside the box.
• Ask questions – Interviews are supposed to be a two-way street. Not only is the organization learning about you, but you should also learn about the organization. Come to the interview prepared with a couple of questions, more than just the standard “what time am I expected to be at work every day?” This will create a dialogue with the potential employer and showcase your desire to learn.
• Work with a staffing agency – Staffing agencies specialize in job placement and have already won the trust of their clients to fill any open positions. Receiving a staffing agency’s endorsement will position you ahead of the crowd when employers evaluate potential candidates.