Differentiating yourself in the job market

It's all over the news every day...unemployment figures are at an alarmingly high rate and growing worse by the day. The actual numbers vary day by day but it's undeniable that there are many, many people are unemployed. With all of these highly talented, highly skilled and highly qualified workers on the job market, competition for jobs is at an all-time high. While this is a good situation for employers to be in, it often leaves candidates frustrated and unsure how to differentiate themselves to potential employers. Traditional job search methods often don't bring desired results either. So how can you stand out among other candidates? Here's how:

Review your resume. Look over your resume again or ask someone else to help you. Ask yourself if there is anything you could change to make your qualifications stand out. This could be something as simple as changing font, highlighting certain words or phrases or as detailed as a format change. Due to the quantity of resumes received, hiring managers often only give resumes a quick once-over. If there is nothing that grabs their attention immediately, they will discard that resume and move on. Be careful to not bury your most valuable qualifications among resume "fluff".

Get creative. There are many different ways to get creative about finding a job. Some people have rented billboards, carried signs down the street, or purchased ads in different publications. While these examples are a bit extreme, they do show that thinking creatively can help you explore new methods that just might grab an employer's attention.

Network. Use all of the contacts that you have to spread the word and keep their eyes and ears open for potential opportunities. Many people are willing to help out in this way. Simply sending them a note with your resume attached letting them know you are looking for employment can have great success. Many companies don't advertise all of their job openings and this may be an inside connection that you wouldn't have otherwise found. Use existing relationships and work on developing new ones as well. There are many networking groups where members support each other. This can be a very valuable resource as long as you are willing to help others when you are able. Social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn are great tools as well. A word of caution though - make sure any content is appropriate for potential employers to view.

Minimize effort on traditional methods. There are many websites available for candidates to apply for jobs online. However, many people report little to no success using these sites. This is due largely to the fact that little effort is required to send in a resume and employers are often flooded with resumes from unqualified candidates.

Volunteer. With unemployment so high, many charitable organizations are hurting. Perhaps you have skills that would benefit a non-profit in some way. If not, this is the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill. By volunteering your time, you keep your skills sharp or learn new skills and you help others in the process. This experience is also something you can add to your resume. Volunteering can also serve as a networking opportunity as well as a chance to showcase your skills.

What other ways have you heard about, seen or done yourself that got the job? Leave a comment with your thoughts and you could win 2 complimentary coaching sessions.

Wishing you all the best,

Coach April
Certified Life and Career Coach - Nexus Coaching Partners
"Bringing Inspiration to Life!"
http://www.nexuscoachingpartners.com