If you’re a client or employee of A Sales Guy Inc. you may have received a Swag box of ASG gear. Inside this box, is a book called, “Edgy Conversations” by Dan Waldschmidt.
This book highlights anecdotes and methods for achieving success. From the first page, however, you can tell that this isn’t your average book on success. It’s edgy, addicting, and absolutely motivating.
The book explains important aspects of achieving success. Sure there are outliers who are born with natural talent but, for the most part, it’s ordinary people who do extraordinary things who become badasses. This advice may seem like one of those, “yeah, no shit moments” but before you make a premature opinion let me go in more detail.
I think too many business and success books are focused on answering the process of achieving greatness by giving you a “proven” methodology to follow. Unfortunately, this is just too broad. How can these steps apply to everyone? People with different personality traits simply won’t get from A to B on the same path. Not to mention, that different careers require different achievements for one to become the best. Don’t get suckered into thinking these “steps” are solely the answer. “Edgy Conversations,” differentiates from normal success books by focusing on developing uniqueness. This includes extreme behavior and risk taking (within the boundaries of your company’s culture). Now, I’m not saying that you need to go and invest your life savings on the stock market or bypassing authority.
Instead, ask yourself: Are you pushing your personal limits? Are you being extreme?
Are you searching for a job?
If so, what are you doing to distinguish yourself from the other millions of candidates searching for a job as well? We once had a rockstar candidate at ASG Recruiting, who was not only full of energy, but also edgy. She ended her resume with “Hire me…you know you want to”. This is what hiring managers love to see. You need to add some of your personality wherever possible.
Don’t be plain vanilla. Go ahead, be that chocolate peanut butter with moose tracks.
What are some innovative ways to stand out during the job search?
Unique ways to stand out from the pack
- Show your creativity: Resumes don’t say much. After all, it’s just a piece of paper that blend in with the hundred’s of others that a recruiter or hiring manager receives. Use technology to promote yourself. Make a video or slideshow! If you’re concentrating in tech or design then illustrate your skills with a personal app to display your resume or with a unique resume/cover letter that utilizes these design skills. Even in jobs that do not culturally expect a portfolio, it is awesome to show actual work that you have done. This was my “resume” at ASG!
- Go Against the Grain: I read about a candidate who created an online ad that would appear every time employers he was targeting (creative directors) searched their own name. Now that’s creative!
- Social Media Overload: Use every platform possible to network, study and connect with future employers. Learn their interests and priorities. Hint: scan through your old photos to make sure any potentially damaging photos are removed before you start this process. Just remember, “falking” a.k.a. Facebook stalking is fundamentally different than what I have discussed. Remember nobody willingly hires stalkers.
- Know The Company’s A-Players: Understand how your personality matches the personalities of the top employers. This is pivotal in making sure you are a good fit with their culture and the qualities they look for.
- Beat Them To The Punch: Don’t just wait for a job posting to appear. If you know you are interested in a certain company then take the initiative to reach out to them and pitch them on your qualities and make them want to make a position just for you. It’s worth a shot, right?
Be adventurous and make your presence known. Because, “if you don’t toot your own horn, nobody is going to toot it for you” (Thanks Dad, I knew that motto would come in handy some day) Thanks for reading and follow me on Twitter so we can get social! –Max