How to Stand out When Applying for a Job

bullsh*t

your typical verbal diarrhea, without any practical possibility to implement: how that can get you hired, i fail to see

blahh of OH 6:46PM February 01, 2012

I agree wholeheartedly with John Kalusa's approach. In fact, I extend the sales approach and 'Company of 1' concept to the initial job listing itself. To me, a job listing is merely an RFP by a company in NEED (of something) for services that your Company of 1 might be able to provide.

So for starters, this sales prospecting approach to job hunting will force you to only pursue a qualified 'lead' or job posting. Just as a serious service provider would not bother responding to an RFP for which they are not a 90% to 100% match, you as a Company of 1 should set a very high bar for jobs to which you respond. Go for an 80 to 90% match at minimum. Don't waste your time reaching or stretching, not in this economy.

Once you decide to only chase fully qualified leads (job postings), then keep your sales hat on and do company research. Dissect the job listing and try to identify the core needs described. Compare your job listing notes to the notes you took on the company. By reading the press releases, 10ks, industry interviews with executives, and other job listings, you will quickly identify the company's gestalt and critical needs in the marketplace.

Step 3 is to put in the time to write a detailed cover letter that is targeted to the executive in charge of the department for which you want to work. If you have done your homework, the HR Director will pass on your sales focused, solution-based cover letter to the decision-maker and you will get that crucial first call.

Subsequent calls and interviews will require more study, more networking, positive affirmations, improved self-image and the application of consultative selling skills like asking open-ended questions, listening, probing, and in general keeping any conversation about the Customer, never about you.

Every dialogue with the Customer, whether in person or on the phone is a dialogue between a customer and a prospective vendor. Employment, fleeting as it can be, should just be viewed as an on-site gig for your Company of 1 that will hopefully last several years.

If I make it sound hard, guess what. It IS. It is very hard. But think of it like this. Every single step you take, in doing massive research, working on self-image, learning sales techniques, planning your dialogue strategy in advance, buying a sharp watch to go with your new shirts, etc etc .. each painful step you take will move you past dozens of other competitors.

You are in a marathon, a survival race of slow attrition and painful elimination. Work hard or starve. Think of your family. Go where the jobs are. Apply for quality jobs and Do What It Takes.

Samuel R Mason of GA 9:12PM November 10, 2011