Photo by Olivier Charavel
Sifting through a pile of hundreds of resumes can be a mind numbingly tedious project, especially when you’re looking at cookie-cutter resumes and cover letters. With a shortage of jobs for new graduates, it’s important that you know how to distinguish yourself from the rest of the applicants in order to secure the job. Here are five tips that make you stand out in the crowd.
Tip 1. Tailor your cover letter.
Nothing warrants a toss in the trash like a generically worded cover letter, especially when it’s from an online cover letter generator. I’ve done my fair share of hiring and after about fifty resumes, you start seeing patterns of the same ones – form letters with each applicant’s personal information thrown into the blanks. Crafting a personal, well-written cover letter is not difficult. It does, however, take a little time and thought. Listing a few of the specific job responsibilities and how your experience will help you in these areas will strengthen your letter. Knowing that you took the time to carefully look over the job description and craft a detailed cover letter will make your resume stand out in a sea of monotony.
Tip 2. Dress accordingly for the interview
DO NOT EVER show up to an interview in jeans or a t-shirt. It lacks professionalism and it projects the image of laziness. I’m not saying show up in a three-piece suit, but you should shoot for looking polished. First impressions count for a lot, especially when employers are hiring someone based on a couple of pieces of paper and an hour of face time.
Tip 3. Practice your presentation.
Before any interview, take at least a half an hour or so to practice your resume spiel. You want to be able to relay your work history and education with grace and ease and you want the conversation to flow nicely. You also want to have well prepared answers for those lame “best and worst attribute” questions. Nothing screws up a good interview like an akward silence followed by “umm”. Have your answers prepared and you won’t be caught by surprise.
Tip 4. Always send a Thank-You note.
Depending on the type of company it is, ie an older, traditional firm or a young, energetic start-up, write either a formal thank-you note or a thank-you email and send it directly after your interview – don’t wait til the next day. This shows your follow-up skills and it also keeps you fresh in the employer’s mind (a good thing when you’re competing again fifty other people).
Tip 5. Don’t overdo the follow up.
You’ve had your interview, you’ve sent a thank-you – now it’s a waiting game. Always wait at least a week (maybe even a week and a half) before contacting an employer about a position. And when contacting them, use email instead of the phone. It doesn’t catch them by surprise and it’s a little less invasive if they’re really busy and working on a deadline. If you don’t get a response from your follow-up, keep looking. Calling and email multiple times reeks of desperation and you want to keep your dignity. Something will come along eventually, and when it does, you’ll have had time to up your game and land the job.
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