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How can I set myself apart from my peers?
How can I set myself apart from my peers?
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Cliff’s Answer
Kasym,
This is an excellent question, and the fact you are asking about this reflects well on you.
The answer to the question: "How can I set myself apart from my peers?" depends a lot on who your peers are and what situation you want to excel. The answers Regina gave were excellent and should be followed. I'll add my thoughts to hers.
As a student, you need to study/work hard and get good grades. You need to apply yourself and figure out how to succeed at your classes. It may not just be studying for hours - you need to figure out how you learn the most/best. I found studying with my peers and asking the teachers targeted questions was what worked well for me. You need to figure out what works to make you the best version of yourself.
I don't know where you are in school, but as you work your way through college, there is a lot more that you can do to prepare yourself and truly set yourself apart from your peers:
1. Make a plan of what you want to do with your degree and your life. Talk with guidance counselors, family, friends, and people you know who have jobs you are interested in. Your plan can change, but it's good to at least have a tentative plan for things. I believe that the decisions you make and the actions you take in your teens through your early 20s will set you up for the rest of your life. I got a Bachelor's degree, got a job, and have spent 44 years at the same company - it all started in my teens with my college education decision.
2. Work hard in college and get good grades. If you don't have good grades, make sure you have a way to explain it (e.g. working a job while going to school to cut down on college debt). Whatever GPA you achieve, OWN IT!
3. Write a good one-page resume. Your resume should include: Name, Phone number, e-mail address, Education with GPA, Job Experience, Skills, and other relevant topics. Make it terse, pithy, and fact packed. If you are doing software development, include links to your github or similar. Ask for feedback on how it looks and make corrections as appropriate.
4. Come up with an 'elevator pitch of Kasym'. You should hand your resume to the recruiter and start saying it. It should go something like: "Hi. My name is Kasym. I'm a student majoring in xxx and I'm very interested in talking with you about employment opportunities with your company. I'm a hard-working, dedicated student and I would be an asset to your company doing any role...." You would obviously have to fill in blanks, but I think you get the idea. It may sound stupid, but it's a good idea to practice this in front of a mirror to watch your facial expressions and make sure you come across the way you want. Once you do this a few times, you can tailor it to each company you talk with.
5. Research companies you are interested in before you meet with any recruiters. Don't try to bluff your way through meetings with companies - put in some work to understand what they do and how you could fit in with them.
6. Work hard to get an internship or shadowing opportunity with a company. Talk to guidance counselors, career placement people, and research/attend career fairs whenever possible. Even if you have to travel a distance to get to a career fair, it could be worth it.
7. Be persistent. Do some practice interviews. Always ask for feedback on how you did in the interview and what you could do differently and better. Be attentive and an active listener to any recruiter or company representative you talk with.
8. How you dress is a factor. You don't need to be in a fully formal dress, but don't show up in t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops either.
9. Believe in yourself! Don't be a VICTIM, be a VICTOR! If you work hard, you will succeed.
I know this is a lot and much of it might not apply to your current situation, but it should at some point in your future.
I hope this helps.
Good luck, Kasym!
This is an excellent question, and the fact you are asking about this reflects well on you.
The answer to the question: "How can I set myself apart from my peers?" depends a lot on who your peers are and what situation you want to excel. The answers Regina gave were excellent and should be followed. I'll add my thoughts to hers.
As a student, you need to study/work hard and get good grades. You need to apply yourself and figure out how to succeed at your classes. It may not just be studying for hours - you need to figure out how you learn the most/best. I found studying with my peers and asking the teachers targeted questions was what worked well for me. You need to figure out what works to make you the best version of yourself.
I don't know where you are in school, but as you work your way through college, there is a lot more that you can do to prepare yourself and truly set yourself apart from your peers:
1. Make a plan of what you want to do with your degree and your life. Talk with guidance counselors, family, friends, and people you know who have jobs you are interested in. Your plan can change, but it's good to at least have a tentative plan for things. I believe that the decisions you make and the actions you take in your teens through your early 20s will set you up for the rest of your life. I got a Bachelor's degree, got a job, and have spent 44 years at the same company - it all started in my teens with my college education decision.
2. Work hard in college and get good grades. If you don't have good grades, make sure you have a way to explain it (e.g. working a job while going to school to cut down on college debt). Whatever GPA you achieve, OWN IT!
3. Write a good one-page resume. Your resume should include: Name, Phone number, e-mail address, Education with GPA, Job Experience, Skills, and other relevant topics. Make it terse, pithy, and fact packed. If you are doing software development, include links to your github or similar. Ask for feedback on how it looks and make corrections as appropriate.
4. Come up with an 'elevator pitch of Kasym'. You should hand your resume to the recruiter and start saying it. It should go something like: "Hi. My name is Kasym. I'm a student majoring in xxx and I'm very interested in talking with you about employment opportunities with your company. I'm a hard-working, dedicated student and I would be an asset to your company doing any role...." You would obviously have to fill in blanks, but I think you get the idea. It may sound stupid, but it's a good idea to practice this in front of a mirror to watch your facial expressions and make sure you come across the way you want. Once you do this a few times, you can tailor it to each company you talk with.
5. Research companies you are interested in before you meet with any recruiters. Don't try to bluff your way through meetings with companies - put in some work to understand what they do and how you could fit in with them.
6. Work hard to get an internship or shadowing opportunity with a company. Talk to guidance counselors, career placement people, and research/attend career fairs whenever possible. Even if you have to travel a distance to get to a career fair, it could be worth it.
7. Be persistent. Do some practice interviews. Always ask for feedback on how you did in the interview and what you could do differently and better. Be attentive and an active listener to any recruiter or company representative you talk with.
8. How you dress is a factor. You don't need to be in a fully formal dress, but don't show up in t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops either.
9. Believe in yourself! Don't be a VICTIM, be a VICTOR! If you work hard, you will succeed.
I know this is a lot and much of it might not apply to your current situation, but it should at some point in your future.
I hope this helps.
Good luck, Kasym!
Updated
Talia’s Answer
To set yourself apart early on, do excellent work on the basics, communicate early and clearly, and follow through without needing reminders. Be the person who notices what’s missing, asks thoughtful questions, and turns feedback into action quickly. Over time, that combination of initiative, reliability, and coachability stands out fast. One way to do this is to pick one or two things you want to become known for—like crisp writing, strong client communication, or flawless execution—and build a reputation there consistently.
Updated
Regina’s Answer
First, do your main tasks well. Look for ways to help beyond those tasks. Communicate clearly, understand goals and expectations, and ask for help if needed. Take responsibility for your work from start to finish. Meet deadlines, and let others know if you might miss one. Work with your leader to prioritize tasks or get help when necessary. Stay resilient and flexible.