The competition in the workforce is immense at this point. This is a period that specialists call “the great resignation” and it is a consequence of the global pandemic. Some people took a look inward and realized that they are not happy with their jobs. Others chose to resign because they did not have their needs and expectations met.
But after the great resignation, we all know what comes. A period in which people will search for jobs and the competition will be even higher. So, you are probably thinking about how you can impress your potential employer. They will see lots of candidates and identifying the right one might be challenging.
So, you need to do your best to stand out from the crowd and prove you would be a good fit for the company. Here are 5 strategies to impress your potential employer.
Customize Your Resume Depending on the Job You Apply to
If you thought about crafting a nice resume as a way to impress your potential employer, you were right. Before inviting you to an interview, the recruiter first sees the documents you have submitted. In most cases, it is a resume. But many companies ask for a letter of interest or a cover letter too.
So, you are not the only one who wants to stand out from the crowd. Companies get hundreds of resumes and recruiters need to skim them all. They do not spend so much time on your resume unless you craft it to catch their attention. Of course, you may find some online service to boost your resume or take one of the approaches below.
And the first of them is to customize your resume depending on the job you apply to. You might have had a lot of jobs, but if they are not relevant to the position you apply to, then maybe they should not be in your resume. Including only the pertinent information in your resume and targeting it to the job will help you impress your potential employer. And make a good impression from the start.
Find Out More About the Company
Another strategy that will help you impress your potential employer will be to know a few things about the company. If your resume will stand out from the crowd, the recruiter will invite you to an interview. Whether it is online or face to face, you need to be prepared to make a good impression.
Knowing the job you apply for and the responsibilities will help you know how to answer a few questions. For example, you might form your expectations depending on your tasks. It would be useful to know the company, its goals, and mission, but also the domain it is active in. and if you could find out more about the interviewer, it would be great.
Maybe you have something in common and it would help establish a connection when you first meet. LinkedIn is one of the platforms where you can find out more about companies and their employees.
Show Your Personality
We are all humans defined by our experiences. We all have strengths and weaknesses, but also skills we want to improve. During an interview, the recruiter will want to find out more about your experience, but also about yourself. About your personality and attitude.
About how you would react in tense moments. Or how you would approach a conflict. Showing your personality during interviews shows you are honest. Studies have shown that recruiters, and employers in general, appreciate a candidate with a good attitude, that is willing to learn and improve their skills. They might choose candidates that do not have all the qualifications for the job but want to be better and not a skilled candidate but with a bad attitude.
Be Professional
One of the qualities employers are looking for in candidates is professionalism. The interaction between you and your potential employer has to be respectful and courteous. You need to impress them, so show that you know how to engage with others with empathy. Many people say that this is just a fake mask some candidates put on during the interviews.
But actually, professional people are achieving higher results. They also have the power of inspiring others and, why not, lead teams. Show you are professional and you want to improve your skills but also help the company grow.
Ask Questions
Last but not least, this is a nice strategy to apply during the interview. Depending on the interviewer and the atmosphere they create, you will talk about your experience, expectations, needs, and so on. Many candidates go to interviews fully prepared to answer questions, but they do not ask any. They think that it is only the recruiter’s job to ask questions and try to find out more about the candidate. But it is crucial to not let the interview end without asking some questions.
There might be some that come up to your mind during the interview. There might be some curiosities you have when you research the company and the job. Either way, asking questions is a sign of interest. It shows that you are not one of the many candidates that are applying to all the jobs they find and go to interviews unprepared. It shows that you have researched the company, that you paid attention during the company presentation, it shows that you are curious and interested in what they do.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a job, you are probably looking for ways to impress your potential employer. The competition in the workforce is fierce, as many people change careers today. So, you need to stand out from the crowd and catch the attention of the recruiter.
More than this, you can impress your potential employer with these five strategies. Be professional and respectful in your behavior. Show interest in the company and ask questions during the interview. Customize the resume depending on the job you apply to. Show your personality and have a positive attitude. Research the company and job position.