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Updated 4/8/08

Employment Article:
Demand Attention and Land the Job

(ARA) - With thousands of workers nationwide actively seeking employment, there's no denying that today's job market is tough. So what does it take to get noticed by employers and land a job?

Some job seekers have found success through attention-getting techniques such as sending fruit baskets to hiring managers, delivering resumes in pizza boxes or showing up at interviews with a box of Krispy Kreme donuts.

While these gimmicks have worked for some, it is not always the best approach to landing a job. "If you know the HR manager or the person who will be reviewing resumes, modify your approach based on what you know about that person," suggests Jeff Taylor, founder of Monster, the leading global online careers resource. "Go the extra mile if you know the decision maker favors those who show initiative. If not, then take a more professional approach."

A solid resume is, of course, a good way to get the attention of a hiring manager. Because everyone these days -- whether already employed or actively seeking work -- has a resume ready to show prospective employers, job seekers must find ways to offer tangible evidence of their skills in order to stand out from the crowd. Providing potential employers with a portfolio of your best work is just one example of how to differentiate yourself from the other candidates. Showcasing materials produced for other jobs, internships, classes and/or volunteer work, is a great way to illustrate your skills and experience.

When you don't know who is going to be reviewing resumes, you have no way of knowing how the person might react. Commonly, the resumes delivered in a pizza box are the first to be discarded. Of course, there are the exceptions. If a company is making a concerted effort to target someone with specific skills -- and there are a lot of other job seekers with those same skills competing for the job -- a more unorthodox approach might be necessary to stand out from the crowd and get the company's attention.

But, if the pizza box isn't your style, here are a few tips on how to get noticed, while keeping your professionalism intact:

• Apply to jobs that match your skills and experience: Write a targeted cover letter and modify your resume so that it illustrates how you are the best fit for the job. Convince the hiring manager why you should be considered for the job.
  
  
• If you know the hiring manager's name, consider a voice mail or e-mail: Your message should entice the hiring manager to take another look at your resume. The goal is to have the hiring manager contact you.
  
  
• Get to know the top recruitment agencies in your area: The majority of these agencies post jobs on careers sites such as Monster on behalf of their clients.
  
  
• Work your network: Do you know someone at the company who can make an introduction? Do you know any of its customers? Suppliers? Former employees? You won't have a referral every time, but it is worth the extra effort to try to find one.

When contacting employers, use an approach that reflects the reasons why you think you should get the job. Whatever you do, be polite -- and don't do anything to get attention that will affect your long-term career. Today's lean market calls for extraordinary methods and it is increasingly important for job seekers to be more proactive and thoughtful in their employment search.

However, even when deciding to use unconventional tactics to get the attention of an employer, it's important to remember the old standbys. Tweaking resumes, brushing up on interviewing skills and regularly attending networking events will always increase your chances of landing a job.

> Demand Attention and Land the Job
> How to Get a Promotion
> How to Prepare a Design Portfolio
> Job Hunting: It's Like a Job, Only Harder
> Resumes and Cover Letters: Quality Writing
> Sample Graphic Design Cover Letters
also see:
> Higher Learning Key to Career Advancement
> Rewarding Careers in Animation
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