By Vickie Elmer

Every time you apply for a job you have the chance to be a standout, a star,
or at least a unique individual with a string of talents that may be a great
match for the employer's needs.

But many don't see themselves that way or sell themselves that way. And they
don't find the ways they can really shine before they send off their resume.
They need to assess how their talents and traits could really benefit the person
who's about to read their resume and hire someone crucial to their team.

So this year, give yourself enough time and many opportunities to stand out
in your job search. This may mean cutting back on the number of resumes you send
out a week or a month. But a few carefully crafted resumes and cover letters
that connect the dots may do more to open doors than sending out hundreds of
copycat CVs.

"It takes quite a bit of energy" to do some research and become a "standout
candidate," said Elena Bajic, founder and CEO of Ivy Exec, which offers targeted
career advice and jobs for members. She agrees candidates need to be selective
in applying for jobs; "pick and choose those that are highly relevant" to their
skills and expertise.

Then follow these five tips to make yourself a standout as you apply for
work:

Some will be written right into the job posting. Others may be in your future
employer's core values or mission statement. Sometimes they can be identified by
reading a few blog posts or an in-depth profile of the CEO or senior executive
in charge of the area where you hope to work. Look at industry trends and best
practices, too. The American Management Association identified the four Cs as
skills employers really want: critical thinking and problem solving;
collaboration; communication and creativity / innovation.

Anyone looking for a job in sales or marketing needs to promote themselves
very effectively. An editor cannot afford misspellings or grammatical errors,
Bajic said. A manager must show that they are organized and can engage people
with their resume. An IT manager's resume needs a different structure and look
than an interactive advertising manager. Different jobs and sectors require
varied approaches. So each time you send out your resume, take just 10 minutes
to adjust it so it's a closer match to the job posting.

After the resume's gone out, send an email or make a call to promote yourself
again. Then another one week later. When one candidate did this with Bajic, she
gave his resume a second look, which led to an interview. "I don't receive that
many follow-ups," she said, "maybe 5 or 10 percent" of job seekers connect even
once after applying.

When she's requesting an initial phone interview, Bajic sees those who
respond to an email quickly, in a few minutes or so, as "a high energy person
who's engaged." Someone who does not reply for two or three days may imply that
they are less energetic and engaged or not all that interested in the job, she
said. Other employment experts say it's important to show you're energetic and a
quick study, especially if you're a mature job seeker or one who has been out of
the workplace for a few years.

Take care with this and don't take it on the fly. When the HR manager calls
for a phone screening interview, ask to schedule it the next day – and use those
24 hours to research the company and the job you're seeking. Take time to
envision the job and what it entails, Bajic says. Ask yourself: What is the
company trying to achieve here? That way your questions will be more in-depth
and your impact better.

Remember too that what works to make you a standout with IBM may not be as
impressive at Apple or a small start-up in Ann Arbor, Mich. Core traits that
work for small entrepreneurial organizations may be miles apart from the ones
that turn heads at a Fortune 500 corporation. The key is to draw on your list of
strengths and best traits and bring up those that your future boss really
values.

It's knowing what will stand out and shine in the galaxy where you're hoping
to land next that could lead to success.