67 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 14 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
Life Arts   

How To Beat Your Competition While Going For A Job

By       (Page 1 of 2 pages)   4 comments
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Ken Sundheim
Become a Fan
  (1 fan)


(Image by Unknown Owner)   Details   DMCA

Many job seekers worry too much about the interview and forget the fact that for any well paying, interesting job, there is going to be a plethora of other interviewers reaching for the same goal and the same career aspirations as they are.

As of early 2011, it is still a buyer's market and you, the job seeker, are going to have to focus on being more appealing and coming across as more intelligent and knowledgeable than the numerous candidates going for the same job.

By no means should you spend an abundance of time thinking about the other people who are applying for the job, nor should you let them intimidate you. However, you should be cognizant of the fact that you have to beat them.

To further assist you with this matter, below you will find a few good ways to stand out in a positive and memorable way upon actively pursuing a position.

Don't Rely On Your Past Success or Big-Name University Degree

Running a recruiting firm, I consistently have job seekers argue that they can command a higher base salary because of a MBA or a name degree, whether it be a bachelor's or master's degree (or higher). This is far from the truth.

America's colleges no longer control the job market. 30 years ago, a Yale graduate could walk right into Goldman Sachs, kick up his feet and ask where his secretary and coffee was. Not any more.

Whether we are talking about a MBA or some other advanced or named degree, that piece of paper only says to most employers that your IQ may be a little higher, but I have seen both a U.C. Berkeley grad and a MIT grad who were very personable and whom I liked a lot, be turned down for even an initial interview with my client. The rejection had nothing to do with the salary demands of the candidates, either.

I did disagree with this and strongly voiced my concern to the client, but in the end, I was not the one writing the checks to pay their salary.

The point is that you can now be very competitive with these individuals if you keep a good head on your shoulders, stay confident and strive to be the best in your industry.

Dress Very Nicely - Which Means Wearing A Suit

One of the biggest persuasion factors when interviewing or doing any type of business is dress. Basic persuasion tactics would also teach you to dress 10% nicer than the person with whom you are meeting. Of course, you can't know ahead of time exactly what your interviewer will wear, but some research on the company and industry should allow you to make an educated guess.

I see many job seekers recklessly spend money on career coaches and resume writers, though I rarely see many investing in a nice suit and, if applicable, a very nice tie.

Unless you are interviewing at a company that wears sweats, or possibly an entertainment firm, always wear a suit. Buying more economically for day-to-day dress is one thing, but you must think of your interview "uniform" as a real investment in your career path.

Regarding jewelry, at a minimum, you should always wear your watch or a necklace or other. The old assumption still holds, though, that whatever your jewelry or accessories, they should be subdued, not distracting.

Next Page  1  |  2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Rate It | View Ratings

Ken Sundheim Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

About Ken Sundheim: 31 year-old business owner of an executive search firm by the name of KAS Placement based in New York City. KAS Placement was started in 2005 from studio apartment by the CEO and now has clients from over 30 countries in 100 different industries . As a business writer, Ken's articles have been syndicated or published in: WSJ.com, Forbes.com, NYTimes.com, USAToday.com, (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Why Good Grades Are Important To Start A Successful Career

Seven Different Ways That Sales People Are Compensated

8 Huge Misconceptions Regarding Social Media

A Condensed History of Social Media

John D. Rockefeller Teaches The Young Entrepreneur

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend