Industries like technology, consulting services, and startups move fast and shape the world in exciting ways. Working in these fields can be invigorating.  Breaking into them can feel daunting, however. Employers are more selective, expecting employees to work smarter and faster. A traditional job search approach often isn’t enough.

If you’re aiming to transition into a highly competitive industry, or if you are pursuing a role at a desirable employer, here are three strategies that will help you stand out:

Talking about future goals and career interests is a key component of almost every interview. But the questions“Tell me a little bit about why you want this position” and “Where do you see yourself five years from now?” regularly spark a sense of dread. 

Admitting that you’re only there because you need money or because your school requires you to have an internship is honest but uninspiring. It is never wise to lie in an interview, but blatantly stating that you don’t care about what this organization does or stands for isn’t a great alternative. 

Fortunately, there is another option for answering this question that communicates interest without lying. And that’s by explaining what you hope to gain in this role that would, ultimately, connect to your career interests. It doesn’t have to be an exact match to your long-term goals to teach you the skills you’ll need for that future. 

Use these three tips to portray those career interests in a positive light: 

Entering the job market can be a daunting experience for graduates, especially when it comes to mastering the art of interviews. In today’s competitive landscape, where first impressions matter more than ever, effective interviewing skills are essential. 

Let’s explore the significance of staying updated with interview etiquette and how empowering graduates with interview preparation can pave the way for their success in today’s dynamic job market.

Healthcare. Technology. Startups, in general. There are some industries where the competition to be the top company is insanely high. These organizations move at an exciting pace and are at the forefront of trends that are changing the world. Because of this, working for these companies is invigorating.

It’s also more difficult for job seekers to break into these industries. Employers are more selective when assessing job seekers because employees in these fields need to work twice as effectively and efficiently. If you want to transition into a highly-competitive industry, you cannot simply approach the job search the traditional way.  

Here are three tips to help you stand out as a job seeker in a competitive industry:

Diversity hiring is more than just a trend. It’s a strategy employers will continue to prioritize, and it’s something you can leverage during your job search.

In fact, a 2018 survey from LinkedIn found 78 percent of recruiters believe diversity hiring is very/extremely important. Additionally, 53 percent have mostly or completely adopted it into their hiring strategy.

You need to understand how to present yourself as the diverse candidate companies need on their teams. This will take your job search to the next level.

Here’s how to prove you’re the best choice:

You have the skills to excel. You’ve researched the company you’re interviewing with and know you’d fit well into the culture there. During the job interview, you give brief, but insightful answers to each question. Yet, you don’t get the job.

The problem is, you’re not showing the real you to potential employers.

When you really need a job or want to work at a specific company, it’s understandable that you don’t want to do or say anything that could hurt your chances. However, holding back your personality is the very thing that makes a stand-out candidate seem just average in the eyes of the interviewer.

Here’s how to nail the job interview by showing potential employers the real you:

(This post was updated on 7/6/2020)

Many years ago, the interview process was simplistic. 

I would still consider it nerve-wracking, but not as demanding of a process. Today’s college students need to worry about more than aligning their skills, qualifications, and experiences with the job description. 

Now they’re facing phone and video interviews for jobs that may start completely virtual. Plus, they need to understand and prepare so much more. Students need to learn the company’s mission and culture (which might be different, now that it’s virtual), find a network using social media, stay professional while texting recruiters, and discover themselves all along the way. 

The pressure of finding a well-paying job immediately after graduation is already toppling. Especially when about half of college graduates in 2020 may be headed for unemployment, according to The Hill. Adding the weight of the changing interview process is overwhelming for many of your students. 

Here’s how you can help them tackle those fears and effectively prepare for the changing interview landscape: 

Interviews can set a naturally anxious person over the edge. Putting these personality types into a stressful situation, where self-doubt kicks in, makes it extra difficult for them to have a successful interview.

A June CareerBuilder survey, How To Rethink The Candidate Experience And Make Better Hires, of 4,505 job seekers says over 50 percent of job applicants wonder if the hiring manager is looking for someone like them. That’s a lot of pressure for anyone, but especially for those with high anxiety.

In addition to this, CareerArc surveyed 1,200 job seekers in The State Of The Candidate Experience, and found 60 percent of candidates have had a poor hiring experience. No one likes to be put back into a negative situation. This alone can create anxiety.

Inside an anxious job seeker’s mind

People with high anxiety are often stereotyped as those who are quiet, can’t stop fidgeting, or have trouble looking others in the eyes. This isn’t always the case; sometimes people who are really anxious have no outward nervous tendencies or entirely unexpected ones.

One thing they typically have in common is, job seekers with anxious impulses have fears that they’re not good enough for the job — or any job. This hit to the confidence can make anyone feel nervous in an interview, so applicants who are susceptible to high anxiety feel even more stress towards the process.

How to coach them through their anxiety

Even the greatest of therapists would tell you to never attempt to help someone with anxiety get over their fears. Rather, it’s important to coach them on how to deal with these anxieties during stressful situations — like an interview. Use these tips to help your anxious job seekers work through their next interview with confidence and ease:

Even for those who have natural confidence skills, job interviews are stressful. 

Having the ability to walk into an interviewer’s office feeling confident about who you are and why you’re right for this position is hard enough. But what happens when those unexpected confidence blows happen during the meeting? 

Here are a few ways to boost your confidence skills and help brush off those interview jitters:

Appearance can make or break your chances of landing a job in an instant. An April 2015 study from the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that 52 percent of interviewers make their decision about a candidate in the first 5 to 15 minutes of the job interview.

When considering the presence you want to exude, you have to find a balance. It’s crucial to look at every detail of your appearance and behavior, but you also don’t want to overthink things too much.

You want to be honest and authentic, celebrating who you are while feeling good about your appearance. There are no wrong answers when it comes to your appearance because every interviewer is different. However, you do want to dress to impress and carry yourself confidently so you stand out as top talent.

Pay attention to two very important aspects of your presence — attire and body language. Here’s how to present your best self and nail your next job interview: