Eleven Ways To Stand Out
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At every stage of the employment process, there are opportunities to attract more attention from employers. College students should take a close look at the list that follows to determine how they can set themselves apart from other qualified candidates. Employers pay attention to the applicant who can stand out from the crowd.



1. What You Send – Resumé, Sales Letter, Audio or Video Material, Objects, Unusual Items and Thank You Notes



2. What You Post – Interests, Personality, Writing Skills and Professionalism in your Pictures, Videos, Facebook Profile, LinkedIn Network, Twitter and E-mail Messages



3. What Others See – Your Appearance (Stand Up Straight & Tall, Clothing, Jewelry, Watch, Tattoos, Smile, Hair, Shoes), An Impressive Sales Letter, Your Resume,



4. What Others Hear – Your Voice, Vocabulary, Communication Skills, Phone Calls, Presentations, Enthusiasm, Sense of Humor, Confidence, Stories, Examples and Explanations



5. What Others Say – Professors, Employers, References, People you have helped and Those who were impressed by you



6. What You Bring To The Meeting – Objects, Items, Projects, Samples, Business Cards, Extra Copies of your Resumé, Pen, Folio Case and a List of References with their contact information



7. What You Leave Behind – A Memory, Idea, Question, Promise, Article or Business Card, etc.



8. Your Successes and Accomplishments – In the Classroom, On Campus, In the Community, At work and In your Leisure Activities



9. Your Experience – Job Duties, Problem-Solving, Your Contributions and Results, Working with Others, Making Money and Overcoming Obstacles (As they relate to the job opening and company with which you are interviewing.)



10. Your Preparation – Knowledge of the company, people, products, services, finances, challenges, competitors and direction. The questions you ask during interviews can set you apart. Try to develop questions that will impress interviewers.



11. Your Expertise – Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Better than employers expect?)



For job openings that attract college students, employers can receive anywhere from 100 to 500 resumés, sometimes more. That means that employers are looking for ways to eliminate large numbers of applicants. Typically, they will only select six to ten applicants to be interviewed. That is why it is so important for students to differentiate themselves in a positive way.



Wise students spend the time to develop a variety of methods and approaches that will make them highly appealing and recognizable before, during and after the interview. Give your target employers every opportunity to recognize your capabilities, creativity and professionalism. Remember, you are competing against other students who need and want the job.



If your resumé in just another piece of paper (or electronic submission) within a large group of applicants, you are certain to be disappointed. You must do the hard work up front and map out a strategy that will make employers want to select you.