Creative ways to differentiate yourself in high-volume application environments like Washington, D.C.
Working in D.C. is one of the most competitive environments you will find.
If you’re giving serious thought about applying for jobs in D.C., you first want to know what is your political affiliation (Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc.) Why? Because according to Duke.edu, “You may be hired based on your political affiliation, among other things.” Where you stand politically may also affect what non-profits, think tanks, or private sector companies in D.C. you can work for as well. Beyond that, here are some creative ways you can stand out when applying for a job in D.C.
Show you know how to be a leader. Washington D.C. can be a tough work environment where your employer will expect you to take what they teach you and work independently.
They want to know that they don’t have to hold your hand on a daily basis because there won’t be any time for that. Do demonstrate ways you know how to lead. You can do this by describing how you stepped up in previous jobs or positions or leadership you’ve shown as a volunteer.
Demonstrate you are a problem solver.
Any job, any position, any situation in D.C. will have problems that arise. If you are the type of person that gets frustrated every time you encounter a roadblock and wait for someone else to figure out what to do, this won’t impress a D.C. employer. Look for ways in your application to talk about taking on problems and finding solutions. You can’t always solve every problem yourself, but demonstrate you have the attitude that you’re going to fix what’s broken and not just complain about it.
Show you know how to communicate. D.C. is all about connecting and communicating.
In fact, it’s why and how people get anything done for their constituents. It’s critical that you demonstrate you have strong communication skills. Fortunately, you can show this right away with how you interact with the company during the application process. In other words, how you write your resume and cover letter, and respond to emails and phone calls easily shows your skills. Beyond that, showcase times you were able to be a connector between two people or departments as a way to exhibit your strong communication skills.
Another way you can stand out to employers in D.C. is to work on your soft skills like organization, flexibility, and teamwork.
Hirers know that they can many times train hard skills but soft skills are more difficult to find. Often times, soft skills can’t be taught, while hard skills are learnable. Focus on your soft skills in general if you really want to stand out to D.C. hiring managers.
References:
Comments