Finding ways to stand out as an employee is a tall task. Nowadays, everyone has a degree, volunteer experience and more. The key to standing out as an employee is knowing your strengths and how you can create the most value in your industry. Use these seven tips to position yourself as the best candidate for the job.
1. Figure Out Your Unique Perspective
Finding ways to differentiate yourself without being gimmicky can be difficult. It helps if you have a unique perspective on an important topic in your industry. Another way to differentiate is if you have a technical perspective not many people have. Employers are excited to hire employees who can bring in knowledge from their previous experiences.
Reflect on your work history and think about the unique problems you’ve been able to handle. Figure out what unique perspective you bring to the table and plan your interview answers around it.
2. Invest Time In Learning New Skills
Employers are always going to look favorably upon those that invest in their education. Getting hired is much easier if you have 1 or 2 additional skills that complement the basic job requirements. In your cover letter, you should link your ability to meet the basic requirements with your continuing education accomplishments. Investing in marketing courses is an excellent idea if you want to raise your profile as a salesperson or graphic designer.
3. Don’t Forget To Bring Your Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is an intangible quality that we can’t help but put a lot of stock in to. Working with an enthusiastic person is energizing and fun. Don’t be afraid to allow yourself to get excited about the possibilities of your new position in the interview. Employers want to hire the candidate who’s excited to learn and excited to help.
4. Find Out What Aspects Of Your Profession Excite You
Don’t just blindly apply for jobs in your industry. Look to explore specific parts of your craft that interest you. Analyzing your strengths, where you have the most fun at your current job and what you enjoyed most in school can help you find the part of your profession that makes you excited.
5. Take A Proactive Mindset To Job Hunting
When it comes to job hunting, you have to stay aggressive. Don’t hesitate and don’t take days off. If you see a job that looks like a good fit, take the time to fill out the application, even if it’s long. While it’s important to be proactive, you can’t let the quality of your applications suffer so that you can apply to a certain number of jobs every day. Take your time with each application and be thorough. Don’t hesitate to follow up at least 3 or 4 times before declaring an opportunity dead.
6. Practice Interviewing
Getting used to answering interview questions will help them sound more natural when the time comes. Take the time to read typical interview questions to get yourself ready for anything. It’s also a good idea to research the company, learn what they do and come prepared with a few questions to ask.
7. Decide If You Want To Lead Or Be Part Of A Team
Deciding if you want to lead or be part of a team makes finding job opportunities significantly easier. Getting clear on what you want makes it easy to filter out the opportunities that aren’t for you. When you know what you want to do, it’s also easier to submit a focused job application.
Ask yourself where you can be the most valuable. Decide if you’re best at giving direction or taking an idea and expanding on it. Learning about how you like to work will help you find positions that suit you.
