7 Tips For Selling Yourself As The Best Candidate For The Job

Whether you’re looking for a step up in your career or just getting your foot in the door, standing out from the crowd of applicants can be hard. Being qualified and ambitious are great qualities, but it will be difficult to get noticed if you’re not marketing yourself. The good news is there are several things you can do to boost your profile.

Here are seven tips to help you get to an interview and the one big tip to help you once you’re there.

Your resume needs to look good. Plain black text on a white background isn’t going to cut it. Design with a color scheme to make it look visually appealing. Look at other resumes to gain some inspiration. You don’t have to be a graphic designer – there are many helpful templates online that can get you started. However, if you do have some design skills or are close with someone who does, take advantage of that.

When it comes to the text of your resume, give it some action and get specific. If you’re applying for a banking position, don’t say you’re “experienced in sales,” say you “sold over X amount in X months.”  Keep your resume to one page, including the most vital information for the role you’re applying for.

Prospective employers will likely look at your social media presence, especially on sites like LinkedIn or Twitter. Use this to your advantage. Using your accounts on social media to highlight your experience and position in your field is a great way to boost your image. Include your username or links to your profile in your resume or application to steer them toward your social media.

Utilizing social media can also open new opportunities for you. LinkedIn is built for networking. You can connect with recruiters and see new job listings for positions you’re interested in.

Who you know is a major component of landing a role with a company you’re interested in. If you know anyone at the company, ask them for a referral. Even if they don’t work in the same area of business, their name attached to your resume can mean it gets a closer look.

If you don’t have a connection at the company, try to connect with a recruiter. LinkedIn can be used for this, but if the organization is participating in career events, attending them could be a good way to make a connection. Granted, many career events are geared toward college students seeking internships so if you’re past this point, work on networking at conferences and different business events.

Remember, the more people you know and make a good impression with, the more you can connect with them when you’re looking for a new role.

Have you had specialized training in your field or have certificates for courses you’ve completed? Make sure to list these on your resume, especially if they’re relevant to the position you’re applying for. Highlighting the knowledge you have can help you sell yourself for the job.

If you don’t have any special trainings or certificates, now is a great time to start. There are many free and paid programs online for you to grow your knowledge and demonstrate your skills. Having these on your resume adds another dimension to it and shows you’re interested in self-improvement and growth.

If you volunteer in your community, or have in the past, you should include this information on your resume. Like trainings and certificates, volunteering adds another layer to your resume and shows that you’re passionate about people and your community. Employers want caring people on their team and volunteering shows that you care about the impact you leave on the world.

If you haven’t volunteered, it’s never too late to start! Not only is it a great resume builder, it’s a good way to connect with people outside of your day to day and make a difference. It doesn’t have to be something huge – join a group to clean up trash around a park or collect canned goods for a local food pantry. There are several ways for you to get involved with your community and it can help you grow as a person.

Do your homework. Before you apply, understand what the company does, how their business works and how the role they’re hiring for fits with the business plan. If you have a connection at the company, speak with them to get the inside scoop. Knowing the company’s desires and current pain points can help you cater your resume, cover letter, and ultimately, your interview.

Knowledge is power. The more you know about the company and the position you’re applying for, the better case you can make for your candidacy. Likewise, if you uncover something unsavory about the organization while fact-finding, you can save yourself a lot of trouble by avoiding the place.

You’ve done all the work. You’ve put together a killer resume, you’ve heightened your profile on social media and maybe a connection of yours has given you a referral. All of this work has gotten you an interview.

The good news is that by this point, the company thinks you’re likely qualified for the position. Now it’s about making sure your qualifications align with their expectations and seeing if you’re a good cultural fit. You should go into the interview putting your best foot forward. Dress to impress and keep a positive attitude.

When it comes to answering questions, know you can take your time. Taking a moment to pause and think about your answer will show you care about what you’re about to say. Be sure to come to the interview with questions. Interviewers want to feel like you’re interested in their company. Questions are how you learn more about the company and get a better idea of if it’s the right fit for you.

Selling yourself as the best candidate has a lot to do with the quality of your application and interview. Instead of scattershot applying to positions in your field, focus on the ones you really want. Research the roles and craft your resume and cover letter to fit them. Bolster your social media presence and make the effort to connect with recruiters for the company. Highlight your skills and experience, and if you land an interview, go in prepared.