by PH1966

Created on: August 30, 2008

If there is one thing I have learnt in my 25 years or so in the workforce, it is that the employer who chooses you for a position has done so because he/she feels that you have something special to bring to the organisation and that you are the right person.

Once gaining the employer's trust in order to secure the job, you must ensure that you remain the best person for the job and that you don't betray their trust by taking liberties and getting complacent. Being proactive in your jobsearch is one thing that really impresses employers, and a one-size-fits-all resume is the worst thing to do when you are job-hunting. Be creative and ensure that you create a resume that stands out from the rest.

If you are applying for a particular job because it suits your experience and knowledge, then the other people who apply will be doing the same thing. What sets you apart from the others? You have to tell the manager in your introductory letter. You have to show him/her why you have everything they are looking for in a candidate.

When I first applied for my current position of Accounts Assistant three years ago, I learnt some time later that they liked my application letter. While I did have the necessary skills and experience, I made sure that I showed them what in particular appealed to me about this role and what I am confident that I can bring to their company. It came out in conversation, I was curious, and the lady who told me was one of the people involved in the decision-making process. She said that I came across as knowing what I wanted.

My job is quite routine and not senior by any means, but my hours are the envy of many other mothers of school aged children. At my kids' school, I get asked by quite a lot of mothers, 'How did you get those hours?'. I applied for a job where those hours were required and the position was pitched to parents of school-aged children. My point is, present your application in a way that convinces the employer that you are what they are looking for.

I hope to apply this principle to future positions, preferably within the same company, when I can work longer hours and my children are in high school. It is not about turning it into a formula or bragging, it's about making sure that you do not under-sell yourself. If your applications for positions are not conveying the message that you are the person they want, then you are creating a lot of unnecessary work for yourself. Show them that you know what you want and that their company features in your plans for the future.

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