*Many of my clients have kids in high school/college. This series of posts detailing the key points of an effective early career job/internship search is for them! If your child needs a resume, reach out. I offer discounted student rates.
Why Thinking Differently Can Give You an Edge
Applying to jobs the traditional way—sending a resume and waiting—is like throwing a message in a bottle into the ocean and hoping it reaches the right shore. Instead of waiting, why not take action and stand out?
Here are three creative strategies to get noticed by employers and increase your chances of landing an opportunity.
1️⃣ Provide Value in Addition to Your Application
Most candidates apply for a job and then try to prove they’re the right fit. What if you flipped the script and showed your value along with your application?
✅ How to do it:
- Research the company’s challenges or goals.
- Apply online (you want to show you can follow directions!).
- Create a small project, presentation, or case study showcasing how you’d solve a problem.
- Send it directly to a hiring manager or department leader, letting them know you applied online and also created this project to show what you can do in this role.
🔹 Example: If you’re applying for a marketing role, analyze their social media presence and suggest content ideas. If it’s a sales position, propose a list of potential leads they could target.
🎯 Real-world success: One job seeker landed an interview by redesigning a company’s outdated webpage and sending it along with their application.
❌ Avoid: Sending generic “I’d love to work here” emails without offering anything specific.
2️⃣ Leverage Strategic Volunteering
Volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it can also be a strategic move to build skills, experience, and connections in your desired field.
✅ How to do it:
- Find volunteer opportunities related to your industry.
- Offer your expertise to startups, nonprofits, or industry events.
- Get involved in projects that allow you to showcase your skills.
🔹 Example: Want to break into event planning? Offer to help organize a conference. Interested in UX design? Volunteer to redesign a nonprofit’s website.
🎯 Real-world success: A student volunteered at an industry trade show, networked with professionals, and ended up landing a full-time role.
❌ Avoid: Taking on unrelated volunteer work just to fill space on your resume.
3️⃣ Build a Public Presence on LinkedIn
Instead of passively scrolling on LinkedIn, use it as a stage to showcase your expertise. Recruiters often find candidates based on what they post and engage with.
✅ How to do it:
- Post insights about your industry, projects, or key learnings.
- Share thoughtful comments on industry leader posts.
- Write short case studies about challenges you’ve solved.
🔹 Example: If you’re a data analyst, post a breakdown of a recent data visualization project. If you’re a writer, share an article you wrote.
🎯 Real-world success: A recent grad shared their coding projects on LinkedIn, caught a recruiter’s eye, and landed a job without ever applying.
❌ Avoid: Posting only when you need a job—be consistent to build credibility.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Job Search
Getting hired isn’t just about who you know—it’s also about who knows you.
🚀 Take action today:
🔹 Show your value by solving a problem for a company.
🔹 Volunteer strategically to gain relevant experience.
🔹 Build a LinkedIn presence to attract opportunities.
Thinking outside the box can set you apart and turn job searching into job attracting! Need help crafting a standout job search strategy? Let’s chat!
