Make Yourself a Job Magnet

Do you start each day with a cup of coffee and the same routine: read job postings, write cover letters, adjust resumes, mail, repeat? Are you heading off to a temporary job from day to day, knowing that the work is great...while it lasts?

If your "tried and true" methods of finding the job you want aren't producing results, it might be time to shake things up. Try one of these unusual ways to attract a hiring manager's attention:

Demonstrate Your Talents

In a creative industry like graphic design, limiting yourself to the traditional white copy paper with black, 12-point font wastes precious space -- space you could be using to show off your talents and your marketing skills. Consider turning a graphic design resume into an infographic, or displaying your marketing expertise by creating an "ad campaign" targeting your skills and abilities to those of your employer. If your expertise is technological, consider building your resume into a Web page or app.

Not a "creative" type? If you're in a generally non-creative industry but targeting a company that prides itself on "thinking outside the box," thinking outside the 8 1/2 by 11 page may still benefit you. And even if you never send your "project" to an actual employer, spending an afternoon exploring in your favorite medium might open up new possibilities for presenting your professional information in your field.

Make an "Informal" Connection

When you're seeking a job from an employer, there's no such thing as a truly "informal" connection -- you're always aware of your presentation and how well you're connecting with others. But one way to meet people within the company and demonstrate your specific interest in a job is to ask for a meeting before the formal interview.

Find out if you can job-shadow people in your prospective department or take a tour with someone who knows the organization's goals and culture. You'll start to make connections and give employees and managers a face to put with your name -- creating a positive impression that will help your resume climb to the top of the pile.

You'll also get the chance to "pitch" yourself outside the traditional process, often before your competition reaches the interview stage. Finally, you'll demonstrate that you're so interested in this company and this job that you'll take unpaid time out of your day to find out what makes them tick -- and how you can help.

Even if there are no current job openings, consider asking to job-shadow or interview at a company you really love, and stay in touch. You'll be first on the list when a position does open up.

Give the Interview Before the Interview

During the traditional job search process, job seekers wait until the interview to talk about the value they'll bring to a potential employer. But if you've found the perfect employer and you know you want this job, jump the line by answering the question "what will you do for us?" from the very start.

Begin by finding out what the company's specific needs and problems are, and then create a presentation that showcases how you would solve a specific problem in this job position. For example, if you're aiming for a human resources spot in a company that has trouble keeping employees engaged, send in a plan outlining how you would use the position and its resources to address the problem. Include goals, metrics, and a timeline.

It's hard for hiring managers not to be impressed by a detailed presentation from someone so interested in helping the organization solve problems that you'll suggest ideas even before you're hired!

Enter the Real World

During most interviews, hiring managers ask candidates to answer hypothetical "what would you do if" questions: if the server crashes, if you have a conflict with a co-worker, if your team isn't going to meet its goals this quarter, if a client is unhappy?

Preempt the "what if?" game by gathering some real-world information on the company you're applying to, and incorporating it into your application materials. For instance, if you're applying to work in marketing for a company that recently launched a new product, head to local stores to see how they're using the company's marketing materials, how the product is presented by clerks, and how the product's positioning stacks up to its competitors'. If you're seeking work at a company that delivers software management systems, find out who uses the systems and what the strengths and weaknesses are in real-world settings.

In your application, talk about what you learned in a way that demonstrates you've thought about both the strengths and the weaknesses of the company's current approach -- and how your specific skills and abilities can improve on both categories. Stand out by skipping theory in favor of facts and answering the hiring manager's burning question: "Why should we hire you?"

Work With a Recruiter

Connect with a staffing firm to stand out among the competition! Recruiters do more than simply alert you to job openings that aren't on the "open market." They also work with you to submit your applications to employers who offer the best "fit" for your career goals and work style. When your recruiter vouches for you with a top employer, your application becomes one of the few "most promising," instead of disappearing among hundreds of "maybes."

Final Thoughts

To make yourself a job magnet, put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes. What will capture their attention? How can you say right away, "I'm the best person for this job"? Showcase your accomplishments, leverage your network, and connect with a recruiter to attract more, and better, opportunities.