Six tips to being a more marketable candidate

In today’s competitive workforce, candidates need every edge they can get to secure the job of their dreams. As a recent, or soon-to-be graduate, it can especially difficult to break into the workforce. Landing a great job, however, doesn’t rely on an Oxford degree, but rather your ability to market yourself and your abilities. Below are six tips on how to separate yourself from the crowd throughout the hiring process.

Attend workshops

There’s no better way to build out your insider industry knowledge than by learning from the best. Attending a workshop or conference run by other professionals can help you widen your skills and learn effective industry techniques. It can also give you a competitive edge in interviews where you can easily weave in something you learned at a conference to impress a potential employer. If you don’t find any local workshops that interest you, plan your own! You can easily organise an event online and invite your like-minded friends or former classmates. There’s fewer ways to show your passion for the industry than taking the charge on expanding your skill set.

Volunteer

Offering your time free of charge at a local charity or event can certainly stand out on a resume and set you apart from other candidates. Not only does it show off your teamwork skills, it also likely provides you with unique perspectives from a pool of various backgrounds. This is very attractive to potential employers because it shows that you are open to diverse thought and have community-minded interests outside of work. It also gives your resume a little more personality, a key to being remembered after the interview. There are several volunteering opportunities across the UK, so you should be able to find one that piques your interest.

Create a portfolio

Whether online or printed, a personal portfolio can be a great way to showcase your work and experience in the field. Not only does it offer a concrete way to prove your working potential, but it also gives you something to leave with interviewers after your meeting. This should help set you apart from the crowd by providing something for the interviewers to reference when going over candidates. Reports, art projects, essays, videos or research are all great ways to show off your skills, depending on your field.

Complete a certification programme

A certification programme is a great alternative to going back to school while still expanding your skills and providing a boost to your resume. Plus, there are certification programmes available for nearly every industry. For example, if you’re going into the marketing field, you might consider an Adobe certification to prove you are up-to-date in the latest industry software. These types of programmes show that you’re dedicated to improving your trade and becoming the most effective employee.

Perfect your interview skills

Just the thought of an interview is likely enough to get your heart racing and palms sweating. It’s important to remember, however, that landing an interview shows that the recruiter thinks you’re qualified for the position. Go in with some confidence to prove that you would also fit in with their team. Eye contact and responses that are personalised and non-robotic are key to communicating as a confident young professional. Make sure you’re listening when the interviewer is speaking and not just planning your next response. This should help create a more interactive and personal experience, helping you stand out from the others as a more engaging candidate.

Build your network

Like it or not, many jobs nowadays depend on who you know. An extensive network of professional relationships is extremely helpful when making connections with potential employers and giving a personal edge to your resume. Attending professional mixers, like nearly a third of other British students do, or reaching out to your school’s alumni can be great ways to build relationships with others in your industry. Having someone put in a good word for you or provide personal contact information can make a huge difference in the hiring process.

Entering the workforce can be intimidating but doesn’t have to be! If you’re willing to take the time to expand your knowledge, experience and network, you will become a much more valuable hire. Use these tips to guide your job search and hopefully become the most marketable employee in an interviewer’s stack of resumes. Best of luck!