Have you been searching in the job market and haven’t found any luck yet? Well, you’re not alone. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20,000 jobs were just created in February 2019, yet many are still left jobless with the national unemployment rate sitting at 3.8 percent. Why the gap? 

With colleges and universities expecting to award 1 million associate’s degrees, 1.9 million bachelor’s degrees, 780,000 master’s degrees, and 182,000 doctor’s degrees during the 2018-19 school year, you can only imagine why many of those jobs are already taken by the time you even think of applying for it. 

So, how can you stand out from the masses? Try these 6 clever ways to make hiring managers take a second look: 

1. Spruce up your resume. 

No, this doesn’t mean simply switch up the font or color. Take a thorough look at your resume. Put yourself in a hiring manager’s shoes, does your resume reflect the type of job you’ve been searching for? Does your resume read well and is in chronological order of importance? In order to make sure you stand out as a great candidate, you have to highlight your best attributes. If you went to a prestigious college, put it first at the top. If you worked for a well-known and highly respected company, put it towards the top. If you have certain skills that pertain to that exact job, list them first in its perspective section. If you’re a little lost, look and search for resume inspiration. Google people who have that actual job title, go to their websites, LinkedIn pages and profiles. Pay attention to their wording of duties and tasks, it may give you a much more focused insight into who and what the company is looking for. 

2. Customize your cover letter. 

If you’re serious about finding a job, your days of copying and pasting your generic cover letter should be well over and done. You must consider the fact that the hiring manager is literally looking at 10-20 of these a day. One way to stand out is to customize your cover letter and tailor it to the company and position you’re applying for. Start with a nostalgic short story or experience of your first encounter with the brand if you have to accompanied by pictures! A cover letter is your selling piece to get your foot in the door, stay professional, but hold no stops.

3. Update your LinkedIn.

When a hiring manager is actually considering, they will delve off onto your social sites, with LinkedIn being top of the list. They give a little glance at your Instagram, Facebook and Twitter too if it’s a high-level job or pertains to social influence in any type of way. However, if nothing else, your LinkedIn will make or break if you actually get that call. Make sure your profile image is an actual clear image of you and is professional. No picture of you out at a gala, club, dinner, or etc. A real headshot of you, and only you, should be your profile image. Also, have a nice introduction in your summary section that coincides with your overall job search objective. Your page should reflect exactly what your resume says and should be expounded upon where appropriate. LinkedIn pages are great for giving hiring managers “the full picture.” Not only can you go into detail about each job more than you would be able to on a resume but you can also add links to actual projects, posts, companies and sites you’ve worked with or on. 

4. Study the interviewer and the company. 

Many of us make the mistake of simply reading up on the company when we land a job interview. However, it’s the interviewer who you really want to get to know as well. Look up who they are on their LinkedIn and see where they’re from, what school they when to, where they worked before this company. See if you have anything in common. You don’t have to add them as a friend or even bring up your insight on them, but you can alter your answers to certain questions to be more relatable and on the same page as them. Also, being prepared and knowing what you’re walking into will always make you feel much more confident and relaxed during the interview. 

5. Dress for success. 

I know interviews, after interviews, can become mundane, but you have to go into each with optimism. Get that suit dry cleaned, get that fresh haircut or hairstyle, make sure your nails are done and your shoes are shined. If you want the role, you have to dress the part. The fact is, you already have them convinced by your talents and skills if you made it to the interview part. Now you have to sell them on your personality and presence! 

6. Send a formal thank you note. 

Yeah, an email will do, but an actual mailed off letter? Will wow them. Not sure how this works? Do this. Purchase a blank postcard or generic thank you card, and handwrite your gratitude for allowing you to interview. Make sure to insert some takeaways you left with from your encounter in hopes of hearing from them soon. You must not wait a week later to do this. Mail it off by the next day so you can ensure they receive it before they’ve made their final decision. 

Good luck!