How To Succeed In Business
The current job market is, to put it lightly, a bit of a nightmare. In a time where half of us are being replaced by AI, the cost of living is higher than ever, and companies are leaning towards contract rather than permanent work, it’s easy to feel discouraged about job prospects. Here are 20 tips to help you stand out from the crowd.
1. Use Industry-Specific Job Boards
If you already know what industry you want to work in or have experience in, you should check to see if there are specific sites for posting. Rather than wading through generic listings on Indeed, you’ll save time by going straight to the source.
2. Play By Their Rules
One of the best ways to impress potential employers and show that you’ve read the fine print is to use the same language the posting does. We don’t mean mimicking every word, but using similar phrasing to the posting shows that you know what you want. For example, if a posting calls for someone adaptable and organized and you fit that description. Say it!
3. Have A Unique Resume
Everyone wants their resume to stand out, but few people succeed. Avoid using default resume templates (or, even worse, only using basic formatting), which show a low amount of effort. Instead, look for free resume templates online and then tweak them a little more. A tasteful pop of color never hurt anyone.
4. Fit The Resume To The Job
On that note, a resume should be a fluid thing. Not all of your experience will be relevant to every posting you apply to, so highlight relevant details and cut out the ones that aren’t. Depending on what you’re looking for, a few easily tweaked versions of your resume can help you effortlessly jump between sectors.
5. LinkedIn Is A Must
When most people think about jobs finding their social media profiles, they worry about their Twitter or Instagram. What they should be worrying about is their lack of a LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is often the first place employers look for potential candidates; if you’re not on there, you may as well not exist.
6. Be Patient
Many jobs are seeing an influx of resumes in their inbox (both human and, unfortunately, AI-generated) that takes time to get through. They want to be as thorough as possible when picking the right candidate for the job, which could mean a couple weeks before an interview or contract.
7. Show Some Personality
When it comes down to a candidate who gave perfectly polished answers to every question with no personality and a candidate who maybe flubbed a question or two but seemed like a good fit for the team, interviewers are more likely to lean towards the latter. Employers would rather have a human being than a worker done.
8. Prioritize Recent Postings
We’ve all had that moment of finding what looks like your dream job only for the posting to be over a month old. Instead, sort postings by date posted—Indeed even lets you filter jobs posted within the past 24 hours—you’ll get the freshest opportunities, and employers will see that you’re eager for the chance.
9. Be Open About Alternatives
You can’t always get what you want. Maybe the perfect job will drop into your lap someday, but for now you may have to settle for something else. Part-time, contract, and remote jobs can all help you gain industry experience and support yourself.
LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash
10. Test Software Before Your Interview
This isn’t a problem with in-person or (most) phone interviews, but with the rise of video interviews, it can be easy for a minor glitch to derail your entire honor. Most people are competent with conferencing software by now, but it never hurts to double-check that your video and audio are in working order.
LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash
11. Ask About Follow-Ups
Employers love to see a show of initiative on your part. Feel like you nailed an interview or wrote a strong cover letter? Follow it up by asking how soon you should expect to hear back. Your drive and confidence will elevate you above other candidates.
12. Show Off Your Knowledge
Always, always, always read up before your interview. Knowing a little bit about the organization’s history, staff, or expectations will show that you did your research beforehand. And, with research or specific jobs, it never hurts to brag about relevant knowledge of the field.
13. Apply To Reputable Employers
Sometimes a job seems too good to be true, and it actually is. Rather than sending your resume to every available inbox, make sure that the organization you’re applying to is legitimate to avoid being scammed.
14. Research The Organization
Yes, it’s important to make sure you aren’t getting scammed by online postings, and yes, having background info before an interview never hurt anyone, but there’s one more thing to look out for. A company might seem perfect on paper but have a poor track record with employees. Job-search platforms such as Indeed and Glassdoor show feedback from previous employees to help you avoid toxic workplaces.
15. Apply Even If You Don’t Check Every Box
In the wise words of Wayne Gretzky: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Women especially are statistically more likely to avoid applying for jobs due to lacking minor qualifications. Many skills and certifications can be earned leading up to or on the job, and missing out on a position because of something as small as not knowing a specific software program is sillier than admitting you’re a human, not a checklist.
16. Highlight Soft Skills
Soft skills—such as time management and organization—may seem like small potatoes, but they can be just as important as technical skills. Especially if you’re applying for a corporate or person-facing position, how well you play with others and manage your own time can say a lot about a person.
17. Say Thank You
Always thank your interviewer for their time and consideration at the end of the interview. Even if you don’t get the job—and especially if they take the time to decline your application directly rather than simply ghosting you—politeness can make a big difference. Thanking an employer for taking you seriously and asking them to consider you for future opportunities can open up doors you thought were closed.
18. Ask Your Own Questions
We don’t just mean asking about salary and specific hours, which most interviews expect you to do anyway. We mean asking for clarification if a question is confusing. We mean asking about what a typical day looks like or when you should expect to hear back.
19. Get Your Resume Reviewed
We don’t mean in an academic journal, but if you have a friend working in your field or a friend with more experience, ask them to take a look at your resume. Chances are that your friends will see qualities in you that you’re unable to. They can also check for typos.
The Jopwell Collection on Unsplash
20. Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself
Remember not to beat yourself up if you get passed over for a job you really wanted or don’t hear back after you worked so hard on your application. It’s difficult to get a job out there. A lot of companies prefer hiring internally, so your not getting it doesn’t mean you were bad; it just means that they likely went with someone they already knew.
