As I mentioned in my last post, my recent searches are generating a very high volume of candidates. Most are gainfully employed. It is clear that there is a lot of competition for jobs, especially for a step up, or a better situation. If you are serious about landing a new job, you must be a competitor!
These five points will set you apart from the rest of the field!
- Demonstrate your match to the job requirements.
- Prepare for all interviews and conversations.
- Turn your accomplishments into short stories.
- Build a Support Team.
- Be an Effective Communicator
The first step is critical to getting onto the playing field. You must demonstrate your bona fides and make an impactful impression. You will need to tailor your resume to put emphasis on your fit with the company’s requirements. One classic technique is to develop a two column hand-out that lists the job requirements in one column, and qualifications in the other column. This is a useful document to engage the recruiter and can be helpful during the interview process. I encourage my candidates to present that document to the interviewer at the beginning of their discussion. In most cases it will become the agenda for the interview. It would also be helpful to present a top-ten list of your key accomplishments.
Preparation and planning is key to success in any endeavor. Competing for a job is no different. You must understand the situation and adapt. Understand the company’s selection process. Do they use a structured interview process, if so, which model? How many people will you talk with? What is their role in the hiring decision? How will you interface with those people on the job? Be sure to have an idea as to the background of each of those folks to help you establish a bond. Do you know the company culture and its values? What about the performance of the company’s key products and services? The more you learn during the recruiting and selection process, the less you will need to learn when you join the team. This will not go unnoticed.
The absolute best way to convey one’s accomplishments during an interview is by telling stories. When talking about your accomplishments keep the STAR acronym in mind. Your interviewer will be interested to know the situation, “ST”; the alternatives you evaluated and the action chosen, “A”; and the result of your actions, “R”. Hiring managers are very interested to learn about your problem-solving skills. You should be prepared to discuss the implementation of the corrective action, especially if it required the management of a team. Stories make an impact! They engage the interviewer and will be remembered. For greater impact, add in some humor and key learnings.
Landing a job is a team effort! After you have your bona fides established and great stories to tell you need a team to help sell your case. Your team will consist of the external recruiter, any external parties who may have connections to the hiring manager, company employees who will be a part of the hiring process, and of course, your references. Let these people know of your interest in the position and your top three qualifications to do the job. Court them and win them over.
Finally, keep all relevant parties updated as to your interest in the position. Send thank you notes to everyone you meet for an interview. Remember, your thank-you note is another opportunity to sell yourself and to express your continued interest in the job. Keep your references in the loop, primed and ready. Communicate frequently with your recruiter to stay current on the search, and to respond to any important questions.
Ensure that you stand out from the crowd by your enthusiasm and professionalism! Understand that no matter how strong your background, there are many other viable candidates in the queue.
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Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com