Where are all the Jobs?: Do You Have the “It” Factor?

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Do You Have the “It” Factor? | Career Rocketeer

Link to Career Rocketeer - Career Search and Personal Branding Blog

Posted: 19 Aug 2011 03:30 AM PDT

These days, those in the employment space have to fight for what they want, whether you're a job seeker looking to find the perfect match or a recruiter wanting to bring in top candidates. So, when you're hunting for a job, do you have what it takes to stand out in a sea of competition? That is, do you have the "it" factor?
When it's absolutely imperative to stand out in our concentrated job market, it's a good move to ensure you're doing all that you can to be the best candidate. After all, having the "it" factor, someone who has everything an organization wants, will probably improve your chances at getting hired. So, what do you need to be that special job applicant? Here are a few suggestions:
Relevant experience. It goes without saying that you need experience to get anywhere these days. However, what's more important is relevant experience. For example, if you're applying to an advertising firm, they probably don't need to know about anything that's not industry relevant, like the chemistry courses you took in college (unless it can directly contribute to the job, of course). Why? If it's not applicable to the position, why does it matter? You'll save the time of the recruiter, as well as save face, if you just stick to what matters for the particular position.
Stellar online presence. Your online presence does matter. With 89% of recruiters using this tactic to find potential candidates, it's in your best interest to have a good online reputation and presence, particularly for the job search. In order to do so, think about cleaning up your presence by taking care of your privacy settings, making sure your profiles reflect the kind of candidate you are, and even proving quality information. That is, ensure your online presence is unique to your professional brand and that it gives you the extra push to make an employer give you a second look.
Shining testimonials. Sometimes, it's all about what other people think. So, it's a good idea to try to get testimonials and recommendations from those who can speak of your accomplishments. Why? You can talk for days about why you're a good worker, but it's important to know if someone can vouch for that. Further, if you can get a good word from an influencer, especially one who knows someone within the organization, you will probably raise your chances at getting noticed, increasing your image and getting you one step forward to "hired."
Fitting personality. Sure, you may have the best resume and the best experience, but does that mean you will actually fit in an organization? That is, does your personality sync with the company culture of an organization? It's incredibly important that your personal and professional values align with those of a particular organization since this is how you're going to be operating on a daily basis. Additionally, many organizations want to be sure they hire people who "fit" with their culture, sometimes for the long haul.
How do you showcase that you're the fit right for the company? First, think about applying to companies that you already vibe positively with. Next, make sure the employer knows this, whether through your social networks, cover letter, or through a proactive plan for the organization. These tactics not only show that you aren't just thinking of yourself in the job search, but that you can also contribute something to the organization.
How do you make sure you have the "it" factor?

Guest Expert:
James Alexander is Vizibility's founder and CEO. He's the guy with two first names. If you 'Googled' his name in 2009, you would never have found him. Now, he ranks within the first few results of a Google search. Find James in Google at vizibility.com/james.