Chapter 5 - The 150%+ Solution
Regardless of the role you are applying for (contractor, consultant, or employee), position yourself as someone who "goes beyond" the minimum job-skills requirements and adds the extra effort-contributions that will benefit the employer. Tell them you are a professional ready to learn new skills, take on new assignments and go the extra mile. One way to do this is by helping your peers and raising your hand when a new project is announced. This chapter will focus on the 150% solution that will help you stand out.
Position Yourself with These Six Necessary Skills for Any Role
In chapter 2 of this book, we mentioned the need to have soft skills. But what are they? First, these skills are sometimes called "21st-century skills," "applied skills," or "interpersonal skills." These skills are non-technical or specific to a job, but as someone in IT, they will give you the edge in your application. These skills help you think, communicate with people, and reflect on your experiences. Essentially, it would be best if you thrive in an organization. According to career coach Jane Horowitz, the basis of her coaching practice is to "hire for attitude, train for skills." She considers it will and drive as the best determinants of hiring young people.
These soft skills determine whether you get a job and are highly responsible for helping you keep your job. An employer can hire and train you, but it is very hard for you to stay employed if you lack those soft skills.
According to Harvard University's 2011 "Pathways to Prosperity Project" study, employers in the United States are increasingly seeing students graduate from college unequipped with the skills they need to survive in the 21st-century workforce. Many lack critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and creativity skills. The founder and CEO of Rainmaker Thinking and expert and author on young people in the workforce, Bruce Tulgan, has been tracking the generational change in the workplace since 1993. According to Tulgan and several other employers and experts, there is a gap in soft skills from previous generations to the current generation entering the workforce. Employers demand that their employees have certain skills regardless of the field. But not only do organizations want these skills. According to Pew research, employment and wages have increased in most occupations that require higher social or analytical skills like management, leadership, and communication skills. Workers understand this too. According to Pew Research, most workers agree that soft skills are more important than technical skills to do their job.
These soft skills are valuable, so they can be considered good news. It doesn't matter what you studied or your path after high school. You can work on learning these skills because they will help you succeed in the workplace. Therefore, to boost your career, you will need the following soft skills.
Communication
Communication is essential for any profession, so you must be able to communicate effectively. And it goes beyond just verbal communication. You must also be able to use nonverbal communication effectively, as it is also needed in the workforce. No matter your field or job, you will need communication skills both within and outside. Parents also see the value of communication. Based on an NBC News State of Parenting Poll sponsored by Pearson, 54% of parents said that good social and communication skills are important for a child's future success and are more important than grades. Pew research got the same findings. Their study found that communication skills were the essential skills Americans say children need to succeed.
In the words of Tchorzynski, "communication is a big one. A lot of students struggle with it because they are used to communicating electronically, and they are challenged when having conversations face to face with somebody."
Communication skills will make you an adult career-ready, which means that you will be able to articulate your thoughts coherently and astutely. Also, you will be able to express your ideas through oral, written, and non-verbal cues. Listening isn't exempted from what makes you a great communicator because it helps you better understand what happens within your work environment and beyond.
In addition, as the digital world continues to grow, it becomes important that you can share and deliver information through digital means. This will require strong relationships and social awareness skills, two central components of effective communication. Also, you must understand that there is a need for you to be positively assertive. Think about yourself in the context of a wider group, understand the social rules of the work environment you find yourself in, and learn to communicate within that confinement.
Teamwork and collaboration
The ability to work in a team is one skill people ignore. Most jobs require teamwork and collaboration between employees. Therefore, you must be able to work within a group structure. Once you start working in an organization, you must learn to think beyond yourself and your desires. Instead, think about the common goal of the company you have been employed to work for. As a new employee, you aren't likely not going to be made the team lead immediately, so you must be able to work under a leader and for the team's goal. Even if you are made a team lead, remember that it is a group, so you must be open to listening to everyone's input, no matter who they are, before making decisions. This is what defines a leader who is also a team player. Finally, remember that your skills aren't meant to be hoarded but can be used for the good of the company or organization you work for.
In the early years of most people's careers, people often demonstrate teamwork through hard work, commitment, and sacrifice. This will require playing whatever role is necessary to support the organization's mission. In addition, it means supporting other employees' success. It also means showing support to your colleagues. Finally, teamwork requires employees to foster relationships with their bosses and coworkers and be more socially aware of the context of their existing relationships.
Professionalism
Shifting from college or high school to the workforce can require tremendous adjustment for young people. However, the responsibility and self-management needed to succeed at work can differ from the environments you were used to as a young person. One of the keys to professionalism is to form good work habits. This means being responsible, punctual, and organized. All of these are skills that are necessary for professional settings. Punctuality is probably the simplest yet most essential path to professionalism. According to Tchorzynski, "When you clock in for a job, and my job starts at 8, I am there and ready to work at 8, not walking through the door."
As someone aspiring to succeed in their career, you must keep your work organized and be responsible for deadlines for projects you have been assigned. In addition, ensure that you communicate with your superiors about these expectations. These basics are part of what you need to manage yourself and your time.
Self-Management and initiative
Every employer wants their staff to have leadership qualities. This doesn't mean that if you apply for an entry job, you will immediately become a leader of a project or boss in the department. However, it means that you should show some skills which prove that you have leadership potential, such as your ability to manage yourself and take the initiative. Self-management in a workplace means that you can plan, prioritize, and organize your work. Also, you should be able to have follow-through and discipline to stay on track with assignments and projects. Initiative means you can act and take charge of things that need to be executed without waiting to be asked. This quality is highly sought after by employers because it shows that you have a deep level of motivation and curiosity for your work. It is also quite beneficial to a manager when they can rely on their employee to take the initiative instead of waiting until they are asked to do a task. Finally, you should be able to self-evaluate your performance. And you can do this by assessing your actions, work, and projects against goals, timelines, and general work guidelines.
Critical and creative thinking
Someone who thinks critically can evaluate and assess a situation before making decisions. Among other skills, they must be able to analyze and examine an issue or topic. This requires not just accepting what exists but looking beyond for other possibilities. On the other hand, creative thinking is looking at problems or situations with fresh perspectives and suggesting nonconventional or new solutions to a problem. Critical and creative thinking both work together. More so, both of them are needed for today's workforce. You must be able to make decisions and solve problems by using your creative and critical thinking abilities. One way to achieve this is to examine data and provide well-informed analysis to report to your superior or team leader. Or, you could come up with a creative solution to a project.
Global fluency and perspective
You will need a broad understanding of the world around you in today's economy. Also, because of how the world is, more and more employees interact with people different from them. Having a global perspective on issues is even more important because it fosters positive relationships in a diverse workforce. Having a global perspective means that you respect diversity. It also means that you are open, inclusive, and sensitive to people's experiences, cultures, and beliefs. Interacting with and respecting people from other cultures, ages, races, genders, abilities, political ideologies, and religions is important. Being globally fluent also means having digital skills, which are essential in today's economy. But this doesn't only mean that you have the technical skills (of course, you need to). Still, you need to know how to use social media appropriately, use formal and informal emails, and communicate online effectively.
How to Position Yourself as the Ideal Candidate
Thousands of candidates are trying to prove to the hiring manager that they are the best candidate for the vacant job. Each person does their best to stand out from the rest. But how do you stand out? Of course, having all the necessary experience, skills, and qualifications is great. However, the challenge for most candidates is their ability to communicate this effectively to their employers. Next, we will cover some of the ways you can position yourself as the best person for the job, and then we will follow that with some steps you can take to showcase your value.
Five qualities you must have to stand out as the ideal candidate
Besides the skills required for the position you are applying for, there are other resume skills you must have to stand out in the workplace. These skills are part of what makes your application stand out. They also show that you are indeed a strong fit for an organization.
Leadership
Although this has been discussed under soft skills, it is worth mentioning again. Employers value a candidate that can take the initiative. He can lead a team even without being the official leader. Of course, this doesn't mean you usurp your team leader's position. But it is about putting yourself forward in situations where the team may be stuck and an extra hand may be needed. This also means you can bring the best out of a team even when you aren't officially in charge. If being in a team improves their overall performance, you are somehow exceeding the expectations of the job title responsibilities.
Resilience
Your mental fortitude and your ability to persevere in tough situations can make you stand out. Occasionally, you will encounter unexpected problems, but you must show that you can still thrive in these circumstances. Barriers should not weaken your output, but they make you more creatively resilient. This also means that you can work under pressure without allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by the situation before you. Also, a resilient worker can contribute positively to a team's morale and productivity.
Work ethic
Aside from being resilient and having good leadership qualities, you must also have a good work ethic because it leads to better job performance and satisfaction. In addition, this also means that you are very likely to be on top of your work and finish your tasks timely and to a good standard.
Growth mindset
Being teachable helps you stand out from the rest of the pack. No man has ever reached a point where he has learned everything that needs to be learned. Also, as the world changes, new ways of doing things emerge, which means another round of learning and growth. A person with a growth mindset knows this. So, they live to learn every day. People with a growth mindset believe they can develop their skills and abilities by working hard. In addition, they have an optimistic outlook and a strong willingness to grow as individuals. This helps them cultivate a thriving work environment and adds to the long-term value that can be brought to the table.
Curiosity
Curious people are more likely to take action than those who aren't. For example, studying and researching extensively are traits of someone who is curious and wants to learn and improve on what they already know. This also correlates with problem-solving. So, curious people are more likely to solve workplace-related problems because they are proactive in seeking solutions that do not yet exist.
Positioning Yourself as the Best Candidate for the Job
There are six ways to position yourself as the number one candidate for the job and stand out from the crowd. The general rule of thumb is that the best approach will be to align your strength with what your employers are looking for in their ideal employee.
1. Tailor your resume to the job interview Description
Remember that your resume is like a factual report where you present your professional background. Your resume should include things like the following:
Academic achievements
Skills
Work experience
Credentials
Nevertheless, tailoring your resume means making your application specific to the company's needs, usually stated in the employment description. As someone seeking a job, it is your responsibility to identify the abilities or skills the employers need based on what they have presented in the advert description.
Once you have done this, the next thing to do is translate those values into your resume. Make a subtle difference in your approach, which can help you make an impression on your employers. For example, having an "IT Qualifications" section and including relevant coursework makes your resume more unique than sticking to the traditional format.
2. Personalize your cover letter
While it is great to tailor your resume, applying the same concept from the previous step to personalizing your cover letter is also a good follow-up step. This is an opportunity to show that you match the company's cultural values. And this means that you prove to them that you align with their mission and beliefs. In addition to that, you could also show a lot more subjectivity. For example, it would be best to mention that you are genuinely passionate about your work. Also, having some in-depth paragraphs regarding why you're the best person to hire will say a lot.
3. Talk about other competencies
Talk about other competencies which you possess. Competencies refer to the qualities an ideal candidate should possess. As I mentioned, you could put other skills on your resume, not just those directly related to your job. But include skills that can also contribute to how well you cope with the job, benefit others in your team, and take the company to the next level. For instance, it will benefit you and your team if you have good communication skills.
Therefore, adding this or other relevant abilities can show employers that you can execute jobs well. In addition, it is a great way to show that you are a good match for the role and stand out by having qualities that only very few candidates have.
4. Exceed the expectations of your hiring manager
You must aim to tick all the necessary boxes of your hiring manager and exceed his expectations. That means you should meet all the expectations the job description requires, along with the cultural value of the organization. If you do not, you will not make it past the applicant tracking system (ATS), which filters job seekers on specific criteria.
An alternative will be to do more than the standard expectations if you have been allowed to work on a small project or do a trial.
5. Demonstrate that you are an expert in the industry
You can highlight your desirable industry expertise by listing all your credentials. For example:
Publications
Testimonials
References
Your network
Achievements
When you do, you will leave an impression that you have a degree of skills and are quite valuable. During your interview, you could also demonstrate industry knowledge by discussing the results you were responsible for. You can also showcase your expertise by using technical jargon.
6. Talk about your values
Employers want to build a group of people who are self-driven and passionate. And you must prove to be someone capable of helping them fulfill that objective. So even though your resume must focus on the company's needs, you should clearly state your values and interests. This is one way to give them insight into your long-term value and whether you're an employee worth retaining. After all, it's more expensive to go out and recruit a new employee than to retain one already working for you.
Sell Yourself: Focus on the value you can bring to the company
When you apply to work in a company, your selling point should always be what you can bring to the table. Also, it is important that you not only play the part but you must look at the part. When hunting for a job, you are essentially selling your value. Therefore, you must showcase the value you bring to the organization you are applying to work for. Therefore, you are responsible for translating those values into your resume, interview session, and cover letter.
A common mistake you must avoid during your application is to focus just on yourself, considering your goal should be meeting the company's needs. So, focus on how you can help them meet those needs.
Resume Mistakes That Will Cost You a Job
No matter what some job seekers do, they don't get hired, and there are several reasons for this. Suppose you are currently making one or even any of these resume mistakes. In that case, it is probably one of the things hindering you from landing your ideal job in your dream company.
According to a study by Undercover Recruiter, around 20% of recruiters reject an applicant before even getting to the end of their resume. At this point, we will look at the following areas:
Resume formatting mistakes
Resume writing mistakes
General resume mistakes
After this, you will be able to understand what resume mistakes you must avoid if you want to boost your chances of success in your next job application.
Resume formatting mistakes
Your resume format has an impact on the way your recruiter will perceive your application. Even if you have amazing content on your resume, you could still be rejected if the hiring team does not like your resume's formatting style. Let's look at it in detail.
1. Naming the file "Resume."
Do not name your file "resume" or any word or variation that sounds like it. For example, one recruiter went through 100 resumes and had a short list of 10 candidates that they needed to whittle down to 5 or 10 for an interview. The recruiting manager went through the directory searching for the 20 resumes so he could review them another time but in more detail. However, he could find only 14.
The recruiting team assumed that the other 6 were in the generic mass of 30 or so files titled "resume" or its other variant. However, the recruiting manager said, "I will be damned if I'm going to wade through them all to check." Your filename must begin with your actual name instead of naming it "resume."
2. Using a resume-template that has been over-designed
Don't use a colorfully designed or modern resume. As beautiful as they are, they do not guarantee that you will stand out. It's, however, a lot easier to focus on clearly presenting your work experience and skills because they prove you can do the job well.
A better approach will be to keep the resume layout as simple as possible so the reader can easily locate specific information.
3. Having more than two pages on your resume
Do not let your recruiting manager move to the third page before they find your previous experience. Suppose you list your hobbies, "strengths," and education before your work experience. In that case, your recruiter will likely assume that you don't have any. For entry-level jobs, this might be overlooked. But when the job requires 3 or more years of relevant experience, if you don't include that on the first page of your resume, recruiters will likely close your file and move with their lives.
4. Not making your resume as brief as possible
Resumes do not have to be more than 2 pages. Generally, it should be as brief as possible. What matters is that you include the most important and relevant details. The truth is that most recruiters are in a hurry. Recruiting isn't the only job they do; you aren't the only candidate they need to interview.
If you are applying for entry-level positions, anything more than 2 pages seems wordy, and it will make prospective employers assume you cannot prioritize or be concise. Anything more than two pages can look inefficient.
When applying for entry-level positions or if you are with little or no experience, ensure that your resume is one page in length. But if you are applying for a senior management position, you can make your resume as long as it needs to be.
Resume Writing Mistakes
Below are mistakes people make when writing their resumes that you must avoid. Doing any of these will leave a bad impression and can become a deal-breaker whether you get employed.
Having incomplete information on your application
When applying for a job posted on LinkedIn, but your information isn't complete, you may not be considered for the position. For example, you may not have a resume file attached to your profile for a recruiter to download. Not every hirer will be moved by the aesthetics or richness of your LinkedIn profile, for instance. The most important thing is to attach a CV to your application. You could face the consequences if you give any wrong information on your resume, especially an inaccurate one.
Resume spelling and grammar errors/mistakes
It will surprise you that this is still a common mistake by candidates in today's workforce. At first, the recruiter will review your resume by skimming through it within a minute or less. However, if they see something embarrassing, such as a typo or grammatical error within that time, their confidence in your work will lessen, and there is a good chance they will get rejected.
You're lacking variety
Using the same words repeatedly can make your application less engaging. While it can be good to use the basic language since it helps make your resume readable, it can look boring if it lacks variation in terms or word choices and sentence openers.
Too much jargon
Jargons aren't so bad. They aren't bad, and it's essential to use some to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the area. But there is a problem when they are overused because it makes your resume quite difficult to read.
You have left out your past responsibilities or achievements
This applies to both the education and work experience sections in your resume. You must highlight what you were responsible for and your achievements in both sections. Suppose your achievements are from an extracurricular activity. In that case, it is still worth mentioning because it will give your employers more insight into you. Do not only list out your day-to-day obligations. Instead, describe exactly what you have been doing and what impacts you were able to make.
You didn't include examples
When making any statement, you need to include it to support the claims on your resume. If you do not, it won't mean much to your recruiters because you have not proven it. Including examples will also show that you are confident and rational. But making claims without proof would not attract credibility to your resume and the things you have highlighted. So, rather than acknowledging it wholeheartedly, they will start by questioning the information you have listed.
Ignoring resume power words
Action verbs and buzzwords are examples of power words. Adding these will make your application more intriguing while reading because they help to add emphasis and significance to your sentences. But buzzwords can become a problem when you overuse them. Also, make sure to use them in the right context.
Resume clichés
Do not state the obvious, and do not repeat something common. This is one of the major reasons why candidates fail to get hired. For example, don't say, "I am a hard worker" or "I can work in a team." After all, these are attributes the position would most likely require anyway.
You're not personalizing your resume
Have you been sending the same resume to different employers? If this is the case, you have been making another resume mistake which can lead to rejection. Seeing if you have taken to tailor your resume and use the right keywords is another way recruiters can determine whether you are a serious and committed candidate. You may have similar content if you are applying for the same position. However, it is still important to personalize an organization's job description.
General Resume Mistakes
Next, we will look at 4 resume mistakes that are also quite common among candidates seeking a job. Making any of these errors on your application can cost you a potential job offer.
Lying on your resume
Lying is a big deal regarding job applications, and you will be waving a big red flag to the hiring manager if your resume contains untrue content. One mistake some candidates make is underestimating the recruiter's experience. First, it is worth mentioning that they will know when you are lying about some information, and they can know the truth during the interview. The interview also helps them confirm whether what you have on your resume is true.
Not double-checking your social media & contact information
You must look through your social media information and ensure they are appropriate. The area in the digital era where things like this will surely matter at some point when it comes to job recruitment. However, not every employer will include it, but it is better to be safe than sorry. In addition to that, your contact details should be accurate and appropriate. For example, your email address should be appropriate.
Not optimizing your email for the applicant tracking system
Applicant tracking systems are scanners that check your resume to see if it matches the recruiter's job description. The first phase in the hiring process is to beat the resume scanners. Next, the scanners will check for keywords that must be included in the resume. If these scanners notice that you don't meet the criteria, you won't reach the next stage.
Taking resume advice as gospel
Do not take resume advice as gospel. Every recruiter is different in what they expect and look out for. One HR might tell you something, and another will disagree with them. Finally, the major thing is that whatever you can do to make it easier for the hiring manager helps you. Remember that this isn't about you but the hiring manager who needs to dig through hundreds of resumes.
So, keep in mind that as you write yours, aim to meet the recruiter's needs, and you will have the edge over others. In summary, as you now know, the mistakes applicants make on their resume that cause them to get rejected, try to avoid them. Below is a recap of what you must remember.
Avoid naming the file "resume."
Avoid using a resume template with too many designs.
Do not use more than two pages for your resume.
Make your resume as brief as possible.
Make sure you provide the complete information.
Check for resume incorrect spelling and grammar errors.
Vary your words and sentence openers.
Much of the jargon shouldn't be too much.
Give a detailed description of your responsibilities and achievements.
Do not forget to include examples.
Use resume power words
Avoid résumé clichés
Personalize your resume
Don't lie
Double-check your social media and the contact information you provided.
Remember to optimize your resume for the applicant tracking system.
Don't take all resume advice as gospel.
Some candidates use AI resume builders powered to beat the resume scanners, making them miss all the tedious stuff since the AI automatically creates a full, tailored application. The only thing they will need to do is click a few buttons. From there, they can edit. You can look up some videos on YouTube to see how an AI resume writer works.
Listen to or read the newest “Interview Prodigy” Amazon Audible & Kindle Book Series
Here are the newest “Interview Prodigy” audiobooks & ebooks series on Amazon for your reading-listening pleasure (https://tinyurl.com/57ehhjb2).
JavaScript Full Stack Developer: Capture the Job Offer and Advance Your Career (Audible) (Kindle)
AI Software Engineer: ChatGPT, Bard & Beyond (Audible) (Kindle)
Regards, Genesys Digital (Amazon Author Page) https://tinyurl.com/hh7bf4m9
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