When you are out job searching, you are probably wondering how you will earn the edge over other candidates and get noticed by potential employers who are bombarded with piles of resumes. There are lots of professionals out there both locally and online searching for new opportunities so this can seem a little intimidating at first. This doesn’t have to be as difficult as you may think as there are plenty of ways to stand out from the crowd and use your natural talents to land a great career.

Identify something that you do well and emphasize this in your personal profiles, resume and in your daily life. Maybe you are a talented artists, web developer or writer? Develop an online portfolio of your work and include a link to it in all of your communications with others – including employers that you contact for job openings. You could also come up with a catchy name for your profiles or email address that implies something about your special talent. Use this profile when sending out resumes to companies that fall within the area of your natural abilities for the most positive response.

Highlight your achievements or community involvement as a result of your talents on your resume under special skills. Get involved with local events where you can show off your talents in public. Network with others who share an interest in your talent and seek out mentors to help you find ways to develop your talents into a career path. It’s ok to call someone up in a role that you would like to see yourself in and ask them how they got there. Many professionals are happy to share their story with you if you are polite. This can also give you insight that only comes with years of trial and error.

Having a talent is a gift that should not be wasted in a dull, unfulfilling job. This is what happens to many people as they settle for a career that simply pays the bills, but ultimately leads to frustration and burn-out. Being successful in a career is fueled by identifying marketable talents that you possess naturally and then launching a career based on those skills. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs made their start by doing this early on – and have earned millions as a result of believing in their ability to use their talents in a career. You can too.

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