Standing Out In an Interview and Outshining Your Competitors

Whether you are embarking on the interview and job search process or you are years into the difficult and daunting process, here are (7) seven ways to outshine the competition.            

1.    Create a professional website: You can be one step ahead of the competition by having your own website that displays your career highlights/accomplishments and work experience in a savvy and sophisticated way. Remember that everyone has a LinkedIn profile and Facebook page. But you will offer more. Create a free web-building website to present yourself in a polished and professional manner.   

2.    Have a graphical resume: Infographics are a great way to share information and data in a visual way.  Having a graphical resume is an ideal way to share your professional experience in an engaging and unique way. Check out the following samples for ideas to get you started.  https://mashable.com/2011/02/21/dynamic-digital-resumes/#pz1VMzt7cGqa

3.    Acquire and cultivate your digital marketing/social media skills: Social media is on fire and getting hotter.  Whether you’re creating and maintaining your own IG or Facebook pages, find ways to develop and fine-tune your social media and web experience.  Having digital marketing experience can be a huge asset. Take a web design/development course or enroll in a digital marketing certificate program. 

If you are short on money and/or time, teach yourself by using customized images that demonstrate your eye for visual design using content creation platforms like Canva and follow sites like Mashable.com to step up your social knowledge and experience.

4.    Use and share professional reviews/feedback: Hit the ball out of the park by sharing positive, objective feedback and reviews about your professional strengths. Back up this third-party feedback by reinforcing the key points when you’re asked the “strengths and weakness” interview question. 

5.    Know the key movers and shakers in your industry: Even if you don’t know them personally, ensure that you know who the key players in your industry are.  Be able to share your knowledge of the key people and brands within your field.

6.    Stay on top of trending topics in your industry: Your ability to hold your own in a conversation about what’s trending on Twitter and the internet can be invaluable in standing out from your competitors.        

7.    Find ways to make a good first impression: You will always make a great impression by doing the things that others won’t do like send a handwritten thank you note after every interview. 

This week try one of these suggestions to put you one step ahead of the competition. Remind yourself sometimes getting hired comes down to setting yourself apart from other potential candidates.