Recruiter Tips on Standing Out

Everyone wants to showcase their best attributes and show they are the best candidate for a position. Stick around to see how to make yourself stand out among others and land the job you want.

Tip #1: Staying Active on Multiple Networking Platforms

We're now living in a time period that allows us to connect with companies and individuals around the globe, and this allows us to encounter more opportunities. There are various platforms that allow us to reach out to and research information about different companies. 

• One of the most important things you can do is be on a network with a variety of different people. Getting your name out there and forming different lines of communication with various individuals and companies enables you to create connections that can eventually lead you to a job.
  
  
• Seize the opportunities you are presented with! Take that internship or job; you will always leave with more than you began with, whether that be skills or personal connections.
  
  
• Networking allows you to gain a better grasp of the job market, the current trends, and various resources that you may use to your assistance.
  
  
• Through networking, you can create long term connections and relationships that can foster your growth in return.
  
  
• By actively communicating with various companies and individuals, not only are you paving the way for an opportunity but you are building confidence and bettering your interpersonal and written skills. 

Check out these links for more networking tips:

Kathy's Tip

Mary Angela's Tip

Tip #2: Transferring Skills From Your Previous Job and Portraying Them in a Way to Stand Out 

Updating your resume after acquiring new skills is extremely important. This allows us to show not only what we have gained but how we can also use those new skills to our advantage. An individual that stands out among other applicants both on their resume and in person will have a much greater chance of being hired. 

• Leverage your newly acquired skills in a way that shows you are constantly evolving; target the needs of the position and provide a connection between the skills you have acquired and the job you are seeking.
  
  
• Make sure you keep a record of your previous accomplishments and objectives. It is important to be able to effectively illustrate how you have applied these skills and will continue to do so.
  
  
• After you've had an interview, it's important to send a follow-up email. This could be as simple as thanking your interviewer for their time and for the opportunity to meet. End the email by sending your warmest regards and contact information.

Tip #3: Fully Researching the Job 

The research you conduct on a company and the position you're applying for allows you to better conceptualize  that position. You will also gain a better understanding of what the company stands for, what its values are, and if they align with your values.

• By conducting extensive research about the company and position you are applying for, you will be better prepared when it comes to answering your interviewer's questions in the best way possible.
  
  
• Once you have gathered all of this information, you then have the ability to ask questions that you may have or ask for feedback. This shows that you have made an effort to learn about the job and organization, which interviewers love. This also shows that you are engaged and enthusiastic about the position.
  
  
• By fully researching beforehand, you will become acquainted with and gain better insight into the culture of the company. This then allows you to better prepare for the interview since you have a better understanding of the company environment.
  
  
• In addition to learning just about the organization and job, researching will make you more knowledgable about the industry which can result in you feeling more comfortable and confident when you interview.

Tip #4: Having Unique Qualities That Stand Out 

By showing your best qualities and standing out in the interview process, you show your interviewer that you are valuable and indispensable. Companies want to hire someone who will be an asset to them, so show them that you're a long term investment!

• Place an emphasis on your best qualities. Is there something you succeed well in? Make sure to elaborate and illustrate how you can transfer these unique qualities to the job.
  
  
• Showcase your strengths but acknowledge areas where improvement is needed. Show that you adapt quickly and are there help.
  
  
• Although it is important to show you are a fast learner, it’s also important to show exactly how useful you are and how productive you can be.

For more information check out this link:

Christina Howard's Tip

Tip #5: Custom Tailor Your Resume 

It's important to know that many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter through resumes. ATS software allows companies to simplify the recruiting process by finding the most qualified candidates through a computer system as opposed to manually going through hundreds of resumes. This means your resume may not even end up in the hands of a real person.

• • Make sure to become very familiar with the job description and the exact qualities that the position is looking for. You can typically check the company's website to find an even more detailed job description than one you may have.
    
    
• Choose the right keywords to place in your resume that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Using these keywords more than once can help even more, but make sure to still sound natural.
  
  
• Keep the format of your resume relatively simple; this allows the tracking system to more smoothly review your resume.
  
  
• Getting your resume past the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and into the hands of a real person is key. If you write your resume well enough, it will contain everything the ATS is programmed to look for and move on to the next review step. This may result in you being contacted for an interview which will then allow you to show the organization who you are.