4 WAYS TO MAKE YOU STAND UP ABOVE THE CROWD

BY SHER GRAHAM

Human resource professionals hire the highest quality of individuals for a specific position in their company. Whether your working environment is a home-based business or a Fortune 10 culture, there are four ways that you can choose to set yourself apart from the competition during the interview process and when you are hired.

The irony is over the 50 years I have worked in both environments; they haven't changed. It's not always about what is on your resume or even who you know. It is about the quality of your character and how you conduct yourself in the business of people and the process.

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Having conducted thousands of interviews and been interviewed, these four tips still remain the most beneficial in creating your own ‘uniqueness’ that is memorable to someone else. Every meeting is an interview. Every interview is a meeting of the minds. Every moment you meet someone is a time for influencing. The essence of communication is essential to influencing someone to hire you. How you perceive people and how you treat people is VERY important. Trade skills can be taught; people skills are innate. Apply part-time or full-time. Apply in fast food or manufacturing. It’s the professionalism that you choose to exhibit through your behavior that is the true key to successful hiring and work performance.

The word I really like to use is ‘distinguished.' When someone says, “He/She has distinguished himself/herself in his/her career” is one of the greatest compliments given to someone. The definition of ‘distinguished’ is broad: “respectable, perceived as a difference in, marked by excellence, set apart.” A great article on written by Joshua Becker titled “How to Distinguish Yourself” is a must read.

Here are my favorite 4 of the 8 tips Joshua talks about to distinguish yourself from the world around you. These tips can be found at: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/disting uished/ They are:

“1. Choose to live differently. Live set apart. Choose to live a life different than society. Following the crowd is what everyone else is doing. It’s certainly not going to result in a life that stands out from the crowd.”

“2. Remain focused. This world is full of distractions from things that matter Many of the pursuits most common to humankind (money, power, fame, possessions) are only distractions from the pursuits in life that are most important. Remove trivial distractions today. Do it all again tomorrow.”

3. Include others in your growth. The quickest way to succeed in life is to help someone else succeed in theirs. Share your gifts and talents and accomplishments. Mentor others. Compete less, encourage more.”

4 Show grace and empathy to others

Those who routinely extend grace, patience, and kindness to others distinguish themselves in a crowded world. Think of someone whom you remember. Remind yourself often that this world is largely unfair, that people come from a variety of backgrounds, and that nobody is truly self-made even you Take time to listen. Be patient. This approach to life always results in humbleness, graciousness, patience, and love.

Some activities to consider: 1) Smile and speak to everyone you meet. Yes, everyone everywhere. 2) Mail a handwritten note to the person you interviewed with 3) Have a firm handshake when first meeting. 4) Listen to their questions. Answer with clarity and honesty. 5) Eating food or drinking beverages during the interview is not recommended. Say “No Thank you."

One of my favorite mentors, Dr. Wayne Dyer, sums uniqueness up this way: “Apply your own uniqueness to everything you undertake.” Ah.. food for unique thoughts. I leave you with this thought.