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Despite the looming threat of a recession in the United States, companies that make Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list are typically large enough that they continue to hire no matter what the economic climate. But with an increasing unemployment rate companies are receiving more qualified applicants for each available position, and as such to be successful, applicants need to find a way to stand out from the crowd. We’ve compiled some basic information and seven excellent tips to help you land a dream job – all you need to do is dazzle the prospective employer during the interview process!
What is Fortune’s “Top 100” List?
Fortune Magazine has been rating large American employers in its top 100 lists for 10 years; during which time the list has become a staple of the publication. The “Top 100 Employers” list takes into account things such as work environment, pay, health benefits, growth opportunities and field exposure to give job hunters a balanced look at the largest and most sought after employers in the country.
The average company on Fortune’s top 100 list employs 15,853 people and receives 96,062 applications each year. With these companies focusing a great deal on promoting from within, getting hired by a company on Fortune’s list depends a great deal on your qualifications. But what happens when two or more equally qualified applicants are interested in a position? We set out to ask the experts and learn what applicants can do to give themselves the edge over their competitors!
Tip # 1 – Showcase Your Volunteer Experience
Employees who have traditionally gone over and above with volunteer activities should make a point to highlight that fact on their resumes and during the interview process. Experience that goes beyond your primary employer shows companies potentially interested in your skills that you are well-rounded and less likely to burn out given a heavy and diverse workload.
Tip # 2 – Networking
Make a point to develop relationships with people within your industry and always maintain those relationships in a friendly and professional manner; you never know when that friendly contact may come in handy. If your resume is being weighed equally against several others and someone within the company gives you a thumbs up, you can bet the position will go to you! Developing these types of relationships can be achieved in many different ways: calling an old classmate to see how they’re doing, attending industry events and being active in company get-togethers are great ways to meet other professionals in your field.
Tip # 3 – Be Well Prepared For Every Interview
Every good interviewee knows that getting the appointment is the most difficult part. Assuming you’re well-qualified for the position you’re after, displaying a professional appearance and knowledge of the company you are applying to will likely take you the rest of the way. Try taking a few days off prior to the interview to prepare yourself by reviewing the details of the company that issued the invite, details such as the company’s mission and how they have performed over the past year – you can bet they’ll notice!
Tip # 4 – Prove That You’re a Team Player
Today’s employers are constantly looking to the future and every smart businessperson knows that teamwork is always the key to success. If you are known for playing well with others in the workplace, make a point to say it. During the interview you should seek to have a 50/50 balance between statements of what you personally accomplished and achievements you participated in as part of a team.
Tip # 5 – Know Your Resume Inside and Out
The most pointed questions from your interviewer are going to be concerning the facts that you list on your resume and you need to be prepared to answer. If you have a history of bouncing from workplace to workplace, make sure that you are able to clearly explain exactly why that is and why it doesn’t indicate in you a lack of reliability. If you spent an extended period of time with a particular company your interviewer will be especially curious about your reason for leaving; if the circumstances surrounding your leaving the original company are negative, be ready to explain why those circumstances don’t reflect negatively on you.
Tip # 6 – You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks (Be a Young Dog!)
One of the highest points of interest for hiring companies is whether their new recruits are ready to grow and expand. You need to be willing and able to learn to work with new technologies, new people and new job requirements and you need to express that to your interviewer. All growing companies, especially those listed with Fortune, are growing because they have been able to quickly adapt to and utilize the many changes in their markets and they need to trust that their employees are all individually willing to help make that happen.
Tip # 7 – If At First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again
Most of the world’s top employers maintain a list of “silver medalists”; applicants who came in second place when a position was being decided on. Always make a point to stay in contact with potential employers by registering on their web site if possible and continue to network with any people that you know who work for the company. These companies employ huge numbers of people and, being sought after workplaces, they draw an even larger pile of resumes. There is no shame in not being hired; number two out of many thousands of applicants almost guarantees that next time you interview for a position you will come out on top.