Standing out is key when you’re going for a job-you want to show the employer how your unique skills or experiences set you apart. But it’s more important to make sure you don’t stand out in the wrong ways, by avoiding slip ups that could stop you from making a great impression. Here’s some tips on avoiding standing out for all the wrong reasons (or as Grandpa would say “a pimple on a pumpkin”).
1: Just the facts ma’am
Always assume facts and figures you provide when you apply will be cross checked. For example, I have had a candidate before who’s online profile and resume didn’t match up, and who quoted their current salary at $100K. The role they were applying for was $25K less in salary. I knew the type of role he was in doesn’t pay six figures, and never has. In addition, his resume only mentioned a TAFE qualification, when the spoke of completing “several degrees”. Then I checked the resumes he had sent two years apart to our business and there were discrepancies in his work experience as well.
Giving wrong or inconsistent information is a sure way to stand out for the wrong reason. Most recruiters and hiring manager will know the market rates for the role you work in. What you can do is be prepared and informed so you’re ready to discuss money. Also, its ok to say you got halfway through a qualification, things changed, and you didn’t complete it.
Likewise, don’t feel you have to hide gaps or career breaks in your resume. Focus on what skills and experience you do have, and your ability to adapt and take on new challenges. Finally, inconsistencies could be alarm bells for employers, even if you’re not aware of them. Make sure your resume, profiles (on Seek and LinkedIn) match up and tell the same story.
2: Make sure your referees are ready to back you up.
If your referee doesn’t know you’ve put their name forward, they probably won’t be ready to vouch for you-and worse, they could hinder your chances. Once upon a time there were two strong candidates, so it came down to reference checks before the client would decide. One candidate had excellent references; however, the other had not advised an ex-employer that they were on their resume as a referee, despite us checking they had done so and letting them know we would be calling them.
So we had a very disgruntled ex-employer and was nearly hung up on! This candidate missed out on the opportunity to join a great organisation because they didn’t take the time to speak with their referees and ask them if they were happy to speak with future employers.
Standing out as someone whose referee isn’t ready to vouch for them will only hold you back. Always ensure you have at least two professional referees. It is best to include people you’ve reported to-not just a colleague. Speak with them before you start applying, even if they agreed to be your referee years before, to make sure they’re happy to do so. Then consider getting in touch again once you’re in the running for a particular role.
3: Don’t send out a stack of generic cover letters
Sending out a bunch of the same cover letters can be a big red flag for employers, as it signals that you’re just applying to everything and anything. It makes the hiring manager go: Do you want this job? Sending out bulk cover letters can lead to mistakes. The most obvious one is the ones with the wrong information on them-be it incorrectly addressed, with the wrong job title listed, or all of the above. You might have created an awesome covering letter for the first job and then pumped out six more applications. I have seen covering letters for a totally different job.
A cover letter should bridge the gaps in your CV-where you might have had some time out or you’ve changed between different industries, whatever it might be. A well-crafted cover letter is often key to a successful job application. Of course, no one expects you to rewrite it from scratch every time, particularly when you’re exploring multiple opportunities.
So, create a solid “base” and just make slight adjustments to your covering letter to reflect each separate job you’re applying for. Just like your CV make sure your covering letter is 90% generic 10% specific to the individual job.
4: Don’t present yourself inappropriately at interviews
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised!
Lateness is key here-in fact, 62% of hirers say a candidate arriving late for an interview is an instant put-off for them, research for SEEK shows. A further 65% say that they are put off when a candidate uses their phone during an interview and 49% similarly cite inappropriate dress.
Making the right impression at interviews goes a long way. This doesn’t mean that you must turn up in a suit if the dress code doesn’t call for it. But there is a standard. Don’t forget that you’re there to make an impact. This includes things like turning up on time and dressing in job-specific attire. Put your phone away and on silent, disposable coffee cups go in the bin (yes even if you haven’t finished it) and people please, I know we’re on the beaches but never ever are board shorts and thongs appropriate dress.
How to stand out for the right reasons
By avoiding these pitfalls, you can focus on standing out in the right way. Start with the basics, a clear, well-structured resume, a great cover letter, an up to date SEEK and LinkedIn profile. Be prepared, be calm and you will be ready to make a great impression to a potential employer, and one step closer to landing the job.