THE SCENARIO
I am being laid off from a company in an industry that has experienced widespread job cuts. There will be many people out there with similar experience and qualifications looking for work. How can I stand out from the crowd to other employers?
THE ADVICE
Follow this six-step process to get noticed:
Know yourself
Do an inventory of your interests, passions, skills, experience, aptitudes, weaknesses and shortcomings. What have you enjoyed in your career and life? What are your gifts and strengths? Are there themes and patterns in your career and life? If you could have any job or business what would it be? What are your weaknesses? What has held you back from achieving what you want in your career and in life?
Target your résumé
Make sure that your résumé's objective section matches the positions you are applying for. Similarly, ensure that under the work experience section you highlight your experience that matches the job requirements. To catch the prospective employer's or the recruiter's attention with your cover letter, make sure that you clearly articulate and highlight your skills and experience that make you an ideal fit for the position.
Intelligence-gathering
Do your research on the companies and the positions you are interested in through websites, annual reports and newspaper articles. Contact current and former employees of the company to glean as much information as you can about the company and the positions. If possible, try to speak to the person who currently or previously held the position you are applying for. Ask the human resource official or recruiter what the company or employer is looking for in the ideal candidate to fill the position. Take notes and make a list of clear and concise questions that you would like to ask in the interview.
Best foot forward
Make a positive impression in the interview. When you meet the interviewer(s) introduce yourself, state their names, shake their hands firmly and maintain eye contact. Answer the interviewers' questions concisely and give examples to highlight your knowledge, experience and creativity. If you do not understand a question then ask the interviewer to repeat it. Ask the interviewer(s) about the position and the company that show you have done your research but don't probe too deeply into sensitive areas. Tell them what qualities and skills that you would bring, what is unique about you, and why you are the right person for the position.
Follow up
Thank the interviewers for taking the time to meet with you and outlining why you are the best person for the job. This can be done with e-mails and/or handwritten notes. Send them copies of reports and documents that highlight your skills, knowledge and experience. Follow-up with telephone calls as well.
Get people on your side
Give references from people who will best represent and promote you to the prospective employer. Let your references know what position you have applied for, give them a copy of the position description, and brief them on what the company is looking for in an ideal candidate. Make sure that they are able to "sing your praises" and tell the interviewers that they would be fools not to hire you.
Bruce Sandy is a career coach based in Vancouver.
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