RE: How do you differentiate yourself (UserFriendly)

["Dori Green" <dgreen -at- associatedbrands -dot- com>]

It's different and amusing, I'm told, that my resume and cover letter
indicate that I have done some homework, know a little something about
the company and its products and its culture, and know enough about
myself to be able to indicate specifically how my particular set of
skills would fill their stated needs.  

I post some of my samples on an invitation-only Yahoo group and offer to
bring other samples to an interview.  If the potential employer
indicates any difficulty using the Yahoo group, I offer to e-mail those
samples directly to them -- I do not offer to teach them how to sign up
for Yahoo or insist that they do so.  

I include a "hook" that the physical samples are more recent and more
directly related to their topics -- and some are proprietary so I can
show them but cannot let them out of my direct control so that I can
protect the confidentiality of my other employers.  Most potential
employers like the idea that I am aware and careful about such
considerations, and that I will be as cautious with their information.  

I can't believe that other candidates don't tailor their applications.
I'm told it's obvious that most of them don't even bother to look at a
company's website.  I just don't get that.

I also send prompt thank you cards with a handwritten note inside to
every person who takes time for me.  I won a job once because I sent a
thank you and a cute $1 wet kitten refrigerator magnet to the
receptionist who found me a hot cup of coffee and a real cloth towel
when I arrived at a New Jersey interview in a pounding New Jersey
rainstorm.  I can't believe other candidates don't do those things, but
I'm told that I'm very different.  I guess this is not a bad thing.

Dori Green

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