Give yourself an advantage when competing for a dream job

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Although there are plenty of jobs and not enough qualified people to fill them, that is little consolation if you are in stiff competition for the job of your dreams. This isn't just any job, it's the only job you care about getting, and it's going to take some savvy to out maneuver the field of candidates. Here are some pointers.

How to answer an ad in the paper. Take the ad apart and identify the key qualifications. Write down examples from past job experiences that fit each qualification. Include work for volunteer organizations and clubs.

Read between the lines to identify subtle qualifications. In other words, are they describing a team environment? Are they suggesting that you must be a go-getter? Think about other jobs you've held and how you demonstrated these qualities. What kind of culture are they describing and how can you illustrate they you will be a good fit in their culture.

Have they hinted at problems they want you to solve? For instance, if they are asking for a specific skill or experience with a certain kind of product, it usually indicates that they have a special problem or need to fill. Can you think of a situation where you've been able to solve a similar problem for a past employer?

Do you know anyone in the company or someone who might have a contact there? It's worth a phone call to try to get an inside story. Why are they filling the job? What happened to the last person who had it? Was there a reorganization and, if so, what are they trying to accomplish with the new structure? Who does the position report to? What are some problems the company is having?

Do some research on the company. Check out their web page. Go to the library and ask the reference librarian for assistance. Call and ask for the annual report or other company information.

Write a perfect cover letter: Don't make the mistake of assuming that your resume is the main thing to focus on. Most employers take a hard look at the cover letter because it is a more realistic look at your ability to communicate. This is where you catch their interest-- or lose out.

The opener should be a little more interesting than, "I am responding to the advertisement for ..." Why not be a little more dynamic? For instance, "When I read the qualifications for the Customer Service Manager in Sunday's paper, I felt as if you were describing my last five years of experience." If you have been referred to this position by a contact, be sure to say so, "Charlie Smith, a mutual friend, suggested that I contact you because he felt I possessed the qualifications you are looking for in an architect. And after he told me about your company, and the reputation it has, I became extremely interested in talking with you about the position."

If the want ad has requested your salary history, this is where you mention it. However, don't take their request literally. The employer doesn't really need your history. They want to know how much money you are looking for, so they can determine if you are in the ballpark. For example, "I am looking for a position with a salary in the 30's, but that is dependent upon the total compensation package and responsibilities of the position."

You don't need to tell your life story. Don't go into too much detail about why you are looking for a job. Sometimes job hunters who feel embarrassed about their situation (they got fired, downsized, etc.) feel compelled to explain why they are looking. It's usually best to leave that for the interview.

Don't be afraid to repeat some of your best qualifications on your cover letter. If you have a few key accomplishments that you know will help you get an interview, put them on the cover letter in the form of bullet points. Too often, job hunters naively assume that if accomplishments are listed on the resume, they will be thoroughly read by the employer, so to mention them twice is overkill. Not true. If you mention them in the cover letter, there is a good chance the employer will go searching for them in the resume and then put you in the "to be interviewed" pile.

Don't screen yourself out before they do. If the ad requests someone with two years of experience and you only have one, apply anyway. If you have plenty of work experience but no degree, don't hesitate. In other words, few people will ever fill each and every requirement for a position. The final decision is based on who has the strongest set of skills and experience, and sometimes that doesn't match the ideals outlined in the original ad. 

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