In a job market as competitive as today’s, it’s vital for those on the hunt for new employment to know how to stand out from the rest. Here are our top 3 tips on how to make yourself more marketable:

1. Get experience as early on as you can

After listening to a presentation given by the CEO of Fuse Marketing (my dream employer and a highly competitive company to get hired into) my freshman year of college, I asked him, “What would make an ideal candidate for your company’s internship program?” And, very simply put, he said, “This is one of those internships where you need to have experience in order to get experience.” So that’s what I did. I revamped my resume, went to every job/internship fair I heard of and applied for as many marketing internships I could until I was finally offered a position as a digital marketing intern at a very small marketing agency. A year later, I sent in my updated resume and cover letter to Fuse (mentioning the CEO’s words of advice) and next thing I knew, I was sitting in an interview with the head of the Experiential Marketing team. Two days later, I was offered the position. So take advantage of every opportunity you possibly can and start as early as you can. I promise it will pay off in the long run.

2. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!

I can’t say it enough – who you know and the connections you make can have a huge impact on whether or not you are even considered for a position. Attend guest speaker presentations and introduce yourself to the speaker afterwards, connect with employers on LinkedIn, introduce yourself to people at job/internship fairs. Network, network, and then network some more. Then, when you’re applying for jobs, mention the previous meeting – whether they remember you or not, they will probably act like they do and it will show you took initiative. It also shows you’re truly interested in their company. Lastly, remember names! After your encounter, make a note in your phone with the name of the person you spoke to, the company they work for, and their position at that company. You’ll thank yourself later. There’s nothing worse than trying to utilize a connection you previously made and not remembering their name. Or worse, calling them by the wrong name.

3. Practice interviewing and get comfortable answering tougher questions

An interview can make or break your chance of getting a job. Practice answering commonly asked interview questions. Interviewers are looking for thoughtful, honest answers, so take the time to think about how to answer the question. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be during your actual interview. And regardless of how the interview went, always send a thank you note – it will highlight your understanding of professional courtesy and reiterates your interest in the position.

These are just a few of the many ways in which you can make yourself more marketable to potential employers. You are responsible for building your own personal brand – the choices you make now will help set you apart from the rest down the line.

Guest Blogger - Emily LaPlume. Emily is a senior at Champlain College pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and minoring in Event Management. Emily has been a seasonal intern at GSCU for over three years and has also interned at The Capitol Center for the Arts, Brandthropology and Fuse Marketing.