Dazzle HIRING MANAGERS with these 5 strategic moves

In today's hyper-competitive job market, it's harder than ever to stand out and stand apart. Jobseekers need a winning competitive strategy to get to the top of the pile, and clear a path to that coveted dream position.

IT'S CLEAR YOU NEED AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE

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TIMES HAVE CHANGED

FIVE STANDOUT WAYS TO GET NOTICED

Getting past today's computer-driven job boards and gatekeepers is harder than ever. Some resumes never even get seen by human eyes! To land your dream job—or any position—you have to invest in the right things. Here are the details that really set top tier candidates apart

ALIGN YOUR RESUME TO THE JOB

IN A DIGITAL WORLD, YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION MATTERS

Did you know that the application you submit is deconstructed and fed into computers that tag your qualifications with keywords in a database? That's why it's essential to "optimize" your resume and cover letter to include the exact, precise phrases you find in the job description. Be the candidate that shows up as "the perfect match."

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

PREP AS IF THIS IS THE ONLY JOB YOU'VE EVER WANTED

Not going to sugar-coat this bit: The odds are against you to land that job. That coveted position is being aggressively pursued by many other qualified applicants with similar experiences and skills as you—maybe more. But you can make a memorable impression by doing your homework online and learning as much about the company and employees as possible (especially the ones who will be interviewing you). Find some commonalities to break the ice in a powerfully connective way. Be the candidate who "went the extra mile."

LEVERAGE YOUR CONNECTIONS

GATHER REFERRALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The stats don't lie. Every year thousands of applications get passed over in favor of a candidate who slipped to the front of the line through a word-of-mouth recommendation. Think of it this way: If you had to trust a prized object to a stranger or to someone who was recommended by a friend or colleague, who would you trust first? For that reason, make use of social networks, letters of recommendation and personal connections. Be the candidate that came in with "a solid referral."

PRACTICE YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH

CRAFT A CONCISE SENTENCE THAT INSTANTLY INTRIGUES AND OPENS DISCUSSION

In a world of canned, jargon-filled laundry-list of "right answers," the candidates that stand out are those who are "originals." When you describe your accomplishments, inject personality, verve, and a few choice and uncommonly descriptive words to perk ears and make interviewers sit up and take notice. Frame your experience and character in a story that connects the dots for the interviewer. Be the candidate that they can "envision already doing the job."

CRAFT YOUR BACKSTORY

KNOW YOUR STATS, FRAME YOUR FACTS

Every other applicant will claim experience in the areas required—but only you have specific stats and facts that speak to your personal experience. So don't just list your skills, paint a picture and illustrate the impact, quantify achievements with numbers, and vividly describe the tangible results in a before/after or problem/solution storytelling format. Leave your listeners begging for an encore... as one of their own employees.

WHERE TO START

WHAT IF YOU COULD PULL TOGETHER YOUR PERSONAL BRAND IN ONE DAY?

A well-written resume, cover letter, and face-to-face interview are not enough for employers to hire you in 2021.

Companies no longer want to absorb the high cost of a poor hiring decision and turnover. They want to be more precise and efficient.

Your education, skills, and previous experiences are still important; however, predicting future success