Many times around the office talk turns to what one candidate or another has done to stand out of the crowd. Sometimes good, sometimes not. Both are memorable but only one gets a call back.
It depends
The way you SHOULD stand out really depends on a lot of factors:
- Industry
- Company culture
- Profession
- Position
- Experience level
The list goes on. People often ask “how can I stand out in the job search as a top candidate?” I wish it was simple. It is like asking “how can I stand out on a first date so they want to go out again?” Not that easy, is it? Everyone and every company looks for something a little different but I think there are some similarities.
Sales Jobs
If you are going for a sales position you can probably stand to be a bit more persistent than in other professions. I have had people show up to the office and ask if I was available. I love that! Or at the very least just call and ask for me. That IS what sales people do isn’t it?
Patiently Persistent
I think most companies want to be wanted. You need to learn how to walk the line between being very interested and seeming like a desperate stalker. That line can be crossed by one too many emails or calls. Be sure to ask what the process is and follow up when you say you will.
Don’t get angry
Here is the deal, crap happens. I have had people no-show their first day on the job or back out the day before they were going to start. That is after months of me recruiting to fill that opening, us spending thousands of dollars in the process before hiring someone only to have them do an about face. Do I get angry? Sure I do. But do I call them up, email them, or blast them online? No way! I get it.
In the same vane I expect people to deal with disappointment, frustration or even anger professionally. I have had it happen a few times that we like a candidate at first but then decide they are not a fit. But I have also had it happen where we don’t pursue a candidate only to have them follow up, show their continued interest in the position and get another chance at the job. In the end, do your really want to work for a company that does not want you? I don’t. But I get it, we all have bills to pay.
Be Creative
I personally like people to be a little creative in their pursuit of a position. Follow your target company on LinkedIn and Twitter. Like some of the good posts and follow people at the company. Mention them in your posts. Follow up after you apply for a position. I would rather feel like I did too much in my pursuit of a job I did not get than worry that I did not do enough.
To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.
Joseph Chilton Pearce