Consider why, and promote how, you are unique

make you unique, they just mean you possess the minimum credentials sought.

When reading a job posting pay attention to the actual job description, which is more of an indicator of the experience you need to be seen as qualified.

To judge whether you are qualified, check if you can truly speak the language of the functions you would be expected to perform in the role. While candidates want to keep their options open, we all only need one career position. So, targeting your candidacy is critical in ensuring maximum resume effectiveness. Be sure your resume is telling one story, creating an aligned picture of your skills, experiences, and abilities. The content of your resume should speak the language of the functions you would be performing.

Read through job postings to get a sense of the skills, experiences and abilities employers are seeking. Use this insight to feed your resume with keywords conveying that you possess the right mix of experience, skills and education.

Too many candidates think certain skills or educational credentials make them unique. Actually, experience is more often what makes one unique.

Likewise, certain skills and abilities will be widely claimed in the candidate pool, once again, creating an even playing field.

However, no other candidate can claim the exact experience when it comes to presenting your key contributions or accomplishments. Focus on highlighting what differentiates your candidacy.

Paying attention to the content, keywords and format is the recipe for success. Be sure your resume is aesthetically pleasing, balanced on the page and will not succumb to formatting incompatibilities — font substitutions, margin changes — on recipients’ computers. If you are not naturally creative, glean inspiration for a uniquely formatted resume through an online search. Gone are the days when we would just apply for open positions online.

Distributions strategies are more multifaceted and should include offline and online networking, sourcing closedmarket opportunities, leveraging referrals, securing informational interviews, researching opportunities and of course, responding to open market positions.

Be sure you are engaging in the distribution strategies to maximize your outreach and not getting stuck in the rut of only applying for posted opportunities.