These are not average times; and for that reason, companies are not looking for “average” people. That makes sense. So you need to be a “Standout”, and it may be easier than you think.

Here, think about this: You go and get more education and additional credentials thinking “I’ll be more marketable” and get back to the business of job searching and you still find yourself in line with 100's if not 1000's of potential job candidates, many of which also have similar education and experience, and others perhaps with more – all of you in line for the same job. YIKES! Besides that, if one person has one more direct-related experience than you, s/he is ahead of you in that line. What’s more, since only one person can get the job, what’s the likelihood of that person then being you? Sounds awful, hopeless, I know...what the heck kind of reality show is this? Read on; it does get better.

I’m a big believer in education, learning and continuous self-improvement. However, we are not living in average times and companies today therefore are not looking for average people (you know, the "round-pegs fitting into round-holes", yes?). Instead they are looking for Standouts. Those candidates who do “standout” are more likely to be invited into an opportunity than those who blend in. Will a post graduate management program (PGMP) make you a "standout" in the particular audience you may be targeting? How about going to Microsoft Academy? Maybe or maybe not. Can they help at all? Sure! Still, I'd put my efforts and action towards networking into a potential opportunity before the crowd gets there and sell my unique set of skills and talent, my “branding”, before getting another credential. We all do have our own “unique set of skills” you know. How we put them into play and to what end, well that’s our “branding”. Now, understandable, in some industries, you cannot get around the credentialing, but you can in more cases than you think. Let’s look at this more carefully and see “how”.

Don't Get Caught Up In Lines. That’s rule numbers 1, 2 and 3. Get ahead of the job-hiring curve. That alone makes you a "standout" doesn't it? You show up as the hiring pattern is only starting to unfold, BEFORE any announcements or postings. Heck, just you being there in the first place positions you as a standout among your potential competition. But how do you get there?...How do you find that company? Short Answer: Look for clues.

A Clue Is A Lead To An Opportunity. Any challenge, opportunity, threat, market change, spike in sales or dip...a product launch, new market, merger, acquisition, divestiture...these and more are all “clues” to you the job searcher that there are companies with needs. You just have to do the research and uncover where and what the needs are. That is your clue that a potential job opportunity exists. But remember: It is only a clue. You have to follow it to see where it leads. (Yes, just like T.V.) A clue is a lead to an opportunity; nevertheless it is still only a clue. Follow up on it and you may find you have a solid lead! Once you have a solid lead...

Make The Case That You Represent A Solution. Reflect on your background and dig deep into your experiences, peeling back the layers and the years and validating as you go along. See if you can make the case that you represent a solution to the challenge (problem, need, threat, opportunity, etc.) you know, the clue that is leading you there in the first place. Although hiring decision-makers are interested in where you may have been and what you may have learned along the way, how that translates into you being a personal solution to the challenge they face is what will clinch it for you. Oh, then you can go for the PMGP and have them pay for it, yes?

Hope this helps!