4 ways to stand out to employers

Simple but exceptional aspects that everyone should consider in a job search written by Ariella Coombs found at:

http://www.careerealism.com/stand-out-employers/

About Ariella Coombs

Ariella Coombs is a recent graduate from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. She currently manages the content for CAREEREALISM.

If you’re one of a hundred candidates applying for a position, it’s crucial to stand out. But what are some ways to stand out to employers?
Here’s what our approved career experts had to say:

1. Get A Referral

To employers, resumes and LinkedIn profiles all start to look the same after awhile. If you really want to get noticed, Dorothy Tannahill-Moran of Next Chapter New Life suggests getting a referral.
“The assumption with a referral is that no one is going to refer an ax murderer or dud, but rather someone that will make them look like they’ve got the hot contacts,” says Tannahill-Moran.

2. Contact Them Directly

Referrals are great when you can get them, however, it’s not the only way to stand out to employers. If you can’t get a referral, Tannahill-Moran suggests contacting the hiring manager directly.
“Even without a referral, if you can make contact with a hiring manager, you will be memorable and much more interesting when they can speak to you in person. You don’t have to be in someone face, just interacting with them as if they were humans!”

3. Do The Little Things Right

As simple as it sounds, the best way to stand out is by doing the little things right, according to Ben Eubanks of Upstart HR.
Eubanks suggests having a custom cover letter that highlights skills specific to the job you’re applying for. You also should make sure your resume doesn’t have any extraneous information (resume objective, anyone?).
And, of course, prepare well for your interview and ask smart, pertinent questions when given the opportunity.
“I see resumes and interview people on a weekly basis, and one of these points is the usual reason for us not hiring them in the end,” he says. “Details matter!”

4. Showcase Your Achievements

“Beyond a brand-driven, well-crafted resume, try a value proposition letter that showcases your history of quantified impacts on the employers you’ve worked for,” says Cheryl Simpson of Executive Resume Rescue.
She suggests including specific challenge/action/result stories and tying your past contributions to the prospective employer’s candidate needs.
Combine this letter with a follow-up voice mail in which you summarize your experience, key skills, and measurable contributions in 30 seconds or less.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

About Ariella Coombs

Ariella Coombs is a recent graduate from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. She currently manages the content for CAREEREALISM.