Candidate, Know Thyself.

There is all sorts of debate about how a job seeker can differentiate themselves during a job search. Candidates has access to plenty of tips and tricks related to tweaking a resume and/or a cover letter to catch a recruiter’s eye. Suggestions on how to successfully interview are also most certainly not in short supply. But if everyone knows how to write a great resume, or can have one written for them, how can a job seeker really stand out? And more importantly, how can they make their job search much more than just finding another job?

Consider this: the difference is not in the resume, the cover letter, or even in the interview. Recruiters will FEEL it in all of these things, but the actual differentiation comes long before the job search even begins. Enter the title of this post. A candidate who knows what they want out of life, and the role their job will play in this goal have a power that cannot be matched by a clever cover letter or immaculate resume. It is truly astounding how many job seekers don’t know why they want a certain job beyond the basic need for cash to survive. The LEAST a candidate could do is fake it. But that won’t work for very long either. Most recruiters can see right through that.

If a candidate cannot not convey a compelling reason for pursuing the industry or position they are applying for there is a slim chance of hire. OR, even more importantly, there is a slim chance of ever making this job more than just another job.

Without diving into the conversation of living life with a direction (that is a topic for another post), my advice to candidates is simple:
1. Find a direction.
--Seriously, just about any direction will do. If you aren’t sure, pick a direction
anyway. Wishy-washy candidates end up in entry level jobs and are passed up for promotions
on a regular basis.
2. Become passionate about your direction. (See 3 and 3a for some help on this)
3. Research, research, research.
--Find out what recruiters in your target industry/company etc are looking for.
Specifically. (Now comes the clever opening paragraph on your cover letter)
3a. Network.
--Don’t try to get a job from everyone you meet, use your network to learn even more about
your target industry/job/company(ies).
4. Be prepared to provide COMPELLING, honest reasons for why you have chosen your direction.
--“Because it seems fun” or “I am looking for a change” are not compelling reasons.
5. Don’t be afraid to dream, but be realistic.
--If you are making a career change, understand that it may take some time to reach your
end goal.
6. Believe in yourself.
--Sounds cheesy, but confidence combined with ambition and direction are a dangerous
combination. When I say dangerous, I mean in regards to the defenses of the sometimes
seemingly impenetrable forces of HR recruiters.

Bottom line: knowing who you are and where you want to go might very well get you there.