4 ways to increase your chances of landing a job

There’s no sugar coating the status of the job market – it’s tough out there. But this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to land your dream job. Stay ahead of the competition and boost your chances of getting the position by keeping these tips in mind:

Adjust your cover letter
Although it may be tempting to send the same cover letter to every job that you apply for, this isn’t a good idea. Instead, go through the list of responsibilities and traits that the position requires. This way, you can tailor your cover letter to highlight those specific skills. When an employer sees that most of your talents match up with what they’re looking for, you’re already one step ahead of the rest of the applicants.

Be confident
You could have the most impressive skill set in the world, but if you don’t have the confidence to match, it’s not likely that you’ll be impressive to your interviewer. Even if you’re not 100 percent confident about the skills you need to get the job, act like it. If you believe that you’re the best person for the job, so will your potential employer. Remember that attitude and personality can sometimes trump the talents you have listed on your resume.

Actively network
If you have a LinkedIn profile setup, do you use it? It’s not enough to simply be on social media; networking means being active. Connect with professionals in your field and create an online presence that displays your talents, achievements and interests. Make sure that you maintain a professional tone throughout the social media platforms you use so that you can be seriously considered by potential employers. Your interviewer doesn’t want to see the shenanigans that you got into over the weekend.

Write a thank you note
It’s quick and easy to send an email thanking your potential employer for their time. However, thank you cards take time to write and are a much more personal way to get in touch with that person. Sending some snail mail will no doubt set you apart from the rest of the people in line for the job. Make sure to keep the thank you card short and sweet – you don’t have to write an elaborate paragraph in order to get your point across.

To further impress your interviewer, write your thank you note on personalized stationery. This can truly make a positive impact on your reputation and show that you’re an organized and professional candidate.