Simple Changes To Make Yourself A More Attractive Candidate

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While the job market is certainly better than it has been in the past, it’s still fiercely competitive, and we could see all kinds of major shifts at the drop of a hat. Whether you’re already hunting for jobs or you think you may have to start in the near future, you’ll obviously want to make yourself the most attractive candidate you can possibly be. Here are some great changes you can make to increase your marketability.

Tailor Yourself to an Employer’s Need

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Take a moment to think about why employers hire people in the first place – they’ve got a need that isn’t being met. Though they may ask you any number of things in the interview, all they really want to know is how well you’ll fulfill the need which they have. I know it may be easy to paste in the same cover letter you’ve been using for similar kinds of roles. However, if you’re serious about getting a job, you need to be tailoring yourself for the individual problem that needs solving. With every single application, spin your career history in a way that shows that you’re the perfect person for the job.

Tidy Up Your Personal Brand

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Your personal brand is essentially how you present yourself in everything that your prospective employer has access to. This goes way past your CV and cover letter, especially in this digital age. One of the first things employers do when they’re mulling over giving someone an interview is to check up on all their social media profiles. Hopefully, you’re keeping a fairly polished and professional LinkedIn profile, but what about all the other platforms you’re using? If your Facebook is full of pictures of you doing keg-stands and posting puerile (but hilarious) jokes, then you may need to tidy things up. You should also look out for various inconsistencies and get rid of them. For example, don’t put your maiden name on your resume but your married name on your email address. Depending on how exclusive the job you’re going for is, it may be worth getting a virtual address from a service like Physical Address to make yourself seem a little more prestigious too.

Join a Professional Association, and Make a Difference for It

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Okay, that job you’re gunning for may simply be a means to keep a roof over your head and food on your table. I’m not saying you have to develop an active interest in your niche or industry here. However, it can really strengthen your image as a candidate to join a professional association and get active within it. Don’t just show up to their meetings and zone out. Find some way you can help or contribute to whatever it is the professional association does. This will be one more thing to add to your resume, will make it easier to keep up-to-date on industry news, and could lead to some very valuable connections. Get on LinkedIn and look at associations you could join now!

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While pinning down your dream job is never easy, these three tips will certainly help.