There it is. The exact position for the right company that you have been looking for and it is posted on the online job board. You apply as fast as you can, only to see there are another 250 applicants in your shoes. How are you going to stand out as a needle in that haystack?
Applying can be both exciting and stressful. Here are some tips to help you stand out and land your job.
Be early if possible: A realistic way to do this is by downloading popular job board applications such as LinkedIn or Indeed to your phone. From there, set alerts for types of positions and industries that are of interest to you so you can be an early applicant as jobs arise.
Start A Relationship: Make your name known. Send a private message to necessary people at the company. A short and sweet message explaining who you are and the position you are applying for helps your name stand out from the other applicants.
Be Relevant: Adjust your cover letter to fit the position that you are applying for. This should include specific examples from your past experiences and career to prove that you are qualified.
Update Your Profile: Make sure your online profile is up to date. This includes having a clear photo, ensuring your experiences are in order and your descriptions are quality. Including metrics in the description of your experiences helps the person understand how well you did.
Be Prepared: Make sure you are prepared for phone interviews. The hiring manager could call right away. Knowing enough about the position so that you feel confident enough to hold a brief conversation, will help you make a quality first impression.
Resume Review: Does your resume match your online profile description? Make your resume easy to read and highlight important information or experiences.
Thank Them: Sending a thank you note is crucial. In this thank you note, explain specifically why you are interested in this position and how you will bring value to their company. Have you sold to similar decision makers? For how many years in the industry or area? The goal is to move your process forward.
Make applying exciting! With these tips you will stand out among the other applicants and be one step closer to being in the position you want.