Ways to Set Yourself Apart from Other Job Candidates

In today’s job market, you may be competing with hundreds or even thousands of other job candidates for one position. While you may feel that you have the best qualifications, and will be the best fit, so do the rest of your competition. So, how can you set yourself apart from the rest of the job candidates and land the job you want?

There are some ways that you can gain an edge of the competition and set yourself apart. Here’s how:

Show excitement for the opportunity in your cover letter and in your interview. Companies want to hire someone that is enthusiastic and who shows genuine excitement for the opportunity. Do not try to fake it – the hiring manager or recruiter will see right through that.
Do your research about the company before sending in your cover letter and resume. It is best to design your cover letter and resume to answer the questions they will be seeking, specific to the job and the company. Don’t make them dig for answers – give them a clear path to what they want to know.
Do not use generic answers during your interview. Again, when you are prepared, you can give the interviewer what they are looking for. Take your time when responding to the question, and pay attention to the type of questions they are asking.
Flexibility is something that many job candidates fail on. Show and demonstrate that you are flexible, and you might win the job. This does not mean to agree to whatever they request. Be clear about your personal goals and show how they can intertwine with theirs.
When you can quantify your value, it makes you stand out from the rest of the pool. Take the time to understand your numbers. Whether it is dollars you have saved previous employers, or time saving efficiencies you have implemented, showing this information in the form of dollars and percentages stands out to hiring managers.
Be prepared to show and comment on how you take initiative, how you are a self-started, and how this will benefit their company. This shows you go above and beyond, which employers like.

Most companies are growth oriented and are looking for employees that can help them achieve their growth goals. Be sure that you understand their goals, so you can demonstrate how you can help them achieve these goals. Be genuine. Do not try to fake it or present them with false hopes. This will get you nowhere. If you want to set yourself apart from the competition, consider implementing some of these tips above.