4 Keys that Unlock Side Doors (part 1 of 2)
Most job seekers send their resume/CV through the front door and then wait to be contacted. Unfortunately, only about 3-6 will ever be seen by the person who has the power to hire. The rest will only be seen by people who only have the power to screen out. So we suggest your skip the front door and go through “side doors” to get interviews, while your competition is still waiting in the lobby.
1. Be Willing to Standout From the Crowd
Side Doors are a deliberate effort to get noticed by the decision-maker — so you must be willing to do things differently from everyone else. For this reason I can’t give you a list of things to do – as soon as everyone is doing them they would be ineffective. However. I can tell you what they look like, and encourage you to think creatively and try something new.
2. Show them a Skill/ Quality that is Hard-to-Find
What can you offer the employer which most of the other 200 or 300 applicants either can’t offer or wouldn’t think to offer? It must be something the employer wants — the rarer it is the better. It may be a specific vocational skills (Ability), but the other five areas of PADMAN (see here for more information) are just as important and often more difficult for the employer to find or teach.
- Customer Service person who displays genuine pleasure in serving others
- Waiter with an excellent memory for names & faces so returning customers feel like VIPs
- Young person who is the first ones on the worksite and the last to leave
- Labourer who automatically clean-up after themselves and others
- Manager who inspire their staff to give their best and creates a positive atmosphere even during difficult times.
Caution: The unique attitude, skills and abilities you demonstrate must be something the employer needs. What impresses one employer won’t necessarily impress another. A creative CV would work for a Marketing Executive – but not an Accountant. Most companies don’t want their Accountants to get too creative.
Next Wednesday I’ll share 2 more keys to unlock those side doors and stand out from the crowd.
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