Six Things To Help You Stand Out In A Competitive Market
Have you wondered what it takes to stand out in a competitive job hunt?
Things have changed a lot — Look around you. The job hunt is a lot more competitive than it was before. Why? Employers’ expectations have changed as the business world has evolved. The employers are only demanding what the market wants.
So, what does it take to stand out in a competitive market? Six things could help you stand head and shoulders above the rest.
- Right Mindset
- Stand out CV/Resume
- Online Presence
- Putting the work in — think marathon runner, not a sprinter
- Eliminating Distractions
- Interview Ready
- Right Mindset
Yesterday’s Mindset Is Obsolete In Tomorrow’s World. Hold onto old-school thinking at your peril. Accolades and previous benchmarks have morphed into a different mindset and skill set in 2024.
What got you to where you are now will not get you where you want to go tomorrow. An old-school mindset unnecessarily holds people back, especially those who think it’s an employer’s job to entertain or map out future career plans. It’s not.
Setbacks are part of the job-hunting process. It’s not just how many hours you put in or how many application forms you’ve completed; it’s about the quality every single time. I once had a client tell me he spent 10 hours on a Boston Consulting Group application and was deeply disappointed that he didn’t even get to the interview stage. Learn and move on.
2. Stand Out CV/Resume
A CV must capture attention in the first 5 seconds, or your CV ends up in the reject pile. You can’t afford to get it wrong as the competition is fierce in the market, so investing time and energy in creating a CV that makes you proud of your achievements is essential.
Your CV/Resume is an opportunity for you to showcase your story. What’s your story? This is your main opportunity to tell your career story on paper. This is why you have one chance to get this right. This is important because your USP (Unique Selling Point) will distinguish you from other candidates in the job hunting process.
Your story is also your brand, and branding counts in the 21st Century.
3. Online Presence
People buy people based on trust. An online presence, especially on LinkedIn, will enhance your brand and help you build trust with an audience who doesn’t know you.
Be Proud Of Your Online Brand. You don’t need to be an influencer or showbiz icon to think about your online presence. Anyone and everyone who has access to the internet can build a personal or professional brand. I believe it’s a great way to document your journey, especially if you’re aspiring for more visibility.
However, creating your online brand doesn’t happen by magic. Instead, you have to do your bit to craft your legacy because no one has a vested interest in your career than you. It is easy to get complacent, but in today’s world, you can be anything except complacent.
4. Putting The Work In
Create a plan:
- Develop a detailed plan of action.
- Identify the steps you need to take and the resources required.
- Set deadlines for each step to keep yourself accountable.
Having a plan provides structure and helps you stay on track.
When you don’t plan your day, you might respond to unnecessary distractions that slow you down. The knock-on effect means you will miss the opportunities around you.
As Bill Gates once said, Many people are good at planning their annual two-week holiday down to the fine details, yet they overlook the planning of their lives. As an Executive Coach, I agree.
5. Eliminating Distractions
Tune out of External Noise. We’re bombarded all the time with information online and offline. As a result, it can be challenging to focus and concentrate. That’s why it’s important to limit what you expose yourself to daily, especially since most people are willing to expose themselves to the news, radio, social media, and mobile phone calls.
It’s important to tune out so you can tune into things that matter. This way, you’ll be able to focus more on your goals, get more done, and feel better. You’ll also develop better ideas and execute bigger and better plans.
The more awareness you have around this, the better because you’ll be able to see the impact external noise has on you. It could be in several ways, from procrastination, impacting your moods, influencing your thinking and shaping your behaviour, to name a few.
Tips
❇️Switch off news
❇️Stay away from negative people
❇️Keep your busy on improving yourself
❇️Exercise
❇️Meditate
❇️Take regular time out
6. Interview Ready
Practice, practice and practice some more until you feel confident in your delivery. Learn the art of storytelling. What does storytelling have to do with a job interview? Quite a lot. Those who know how to answer questions with a well-crafted story tend to capture an interviewer’s attention.
Storytelling isn’t about ‘once upon a time…’; it’s about answering questions thoroughly, with the right content, and delivering them confidently. How good are you at storytelling? If not, you’re missing out on impressing a potential employer.
Parting Comments
You Can Only Do Your Best. How you handle yourself during the job hunt makes the difference between success and rejection.
Setbacks are inevitable, but they help you learn, grow, and apply. Avoid The ‘One Hat Fits All’ Approach. Why? You’re not working in a factory, and applying the “One hat fits all” mindset will disappoint you. Instead, fix your mindset, develop a can-do attitude, and become interview-ready.
If you want to discuss your job hunt strategy, DM me and see how you can ace the job hunt by focusing on what matters.
Thank you for your attention.
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Pervin
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