How to Make Employers Want You

From the Wall Street Journal | Sept 6, 2009 By ALEXANDRA LEVIT

Most
people in the job market today would consider themselves lucky to get a
single offer. Receiving multiple offers sounds like a dream, but for
some, this scenario is very real. They are the candidates everyone
wants.

Courtesy Alexandra Levit

Nicholas
Rosenthal of Newport Beach, Calif., recently interviewed for
real-estate investment jobs and found himself with his pick of
opportunities. Mr. Rosenthal, 26 years old, feels that his blend of
experiences in commercial real estate have made him especially
marketable. "Having someone who worked on the buy side but also
understands investment on the sell side was advantageous to employers,"
he says.

Mr. Rosenthal's network of contacts also was a factor in many of his
offers. "I am active in major industry trade groups, and I asked the
heads of those groups to make introductions on my behalf," he says.
"Because I was brought into companies at a high level, I had an
immediate degree of credibility when I interviewed."

Show How You Will Fit

Contrary to what many believe, most
firms in most industries are hiring, even now. "In tough times, there
is a flight to quality," says Jeff Schwartz, a partner with Deloitte
Consulting's Human Capital Group. "Companies are out there
cherry-picking the most critical players. Candidates have to think
deliberately about how their skills will fit."

For this reason, the most successful candidates target prospective
companies carefully, using the Internet and their networks to learn
about organizational culture, history, financial performance and recent
news.

By the time the interview takes place, they are able to have an
intelligent discussion about the value they bring to the position, and
the employer can easily envision them starting tomorrow.

Attractive personal qualities are a service orientation and
diversity. "Explain to an employer how you are involved in your
community, and if you have a legitimate interest in what the company is
doing from a social-responsibility perspective, discuss that," Mr.
Schwartz recommends. "And of course, every employer today wants to hear
that a candidate is flexible and has a wide range of experiences."

Connect the Dots

Even desirable candidates, though, aren't
immune to the perils of follow-up. The best job hunters manage the
hiring process at the various firms to which they're applying, and they
don't assume that one hand knows what the other is doing.

"You'll generally have a better shot if you interact with a company
via multiple entry points -- a recruiter, a human-resources manager and
a personal contact," says Mr. Schwartz. "And every time you're
introduced to someone new, you should connect him or her to the
individuals you've already met."

Finally, nothing takes the place of demonstrating excitement about
every firm you approach, and this enthusiasm should be expressed to
everyone from the relative who is a company alum to the receptionist
who greets you in the lobby.

Even if an organization isn't your top choice, you want to be its
top choice. As you round up those offers, the power to choose will be
with you.

Write to Alexandra Levit at reinvent@wsj.com