Case study
Situation:
Jenny applies for an entry-level job with a large organisation. As a recent graduate, Jenny expects to compete with dozens of people with similar skills and qualifications as hers. Because Jenny thinks that the competition will be strong, she asks a family friend to write her resume for her. It looks and sounds impressive. Jenny sends it off with a covering email that she writes herself.
Result:
The recruiter notices that the covering email and the resume sound as though two different people wrote them. On closer inspection, the recruiter notices that the resume uses phrases that are not a good match for Jenny’s age or experience. The recruiter decides not to interview Jenny.
My research shows that you can stand out from the crowd for the right reasons if you:
- Make the effort to identify the skills and attributes that you bring to the table, match them to the job requirements and demonstrate how you are a good fit for the job.
- Polish your presentation at every step of the job application process, including your interaction with the contact person by phone or email, your cover letter, your resume and any tailored responses to job selection criteria that you provide.
- Project a positive, enthusiastic and confident attitude in your interactions with the contact person, as this demonstrates your communication and relationship skills.
- Make sure that the information in your resume demonstrates that your skills and experience fit you for the job and highlights your strengths.
- Use your cover letter to draw attention to the areas that make you a good fit for the job.
- If you respond to job selection criteria, let the recruiter know you are paying attention by reflecting back their words.
- Be memorable for having a friendly approach, genuine interest and respectful attitude.
- Showcase your value by highlighting your achievements and demonstrating results from volunteer work or past work history.
If you like the photo I used for this blog article you’ll find more like it from Levi Saunders on Unsplash
