by Peter Goodman

1. Distinguish yourself. Get noticed within your organization and your industry, by speaking at industry conferences or seminars and actively participating in professional organizations.  This will extend your network and improve your chances of showing up on a recruiter’s radar when they scan the sector for key talent.

2. Be likable. Emotional intelligence is increasingly important in hiring decisions. Being able to demonstrate your self-awareness, self-control, trustworthiness, motivation, empathy and social skills are a critical differentiator for executive-level placements.

3. Be a source. Recruiters remember people who helped them.  The next time a recruiter calls, take the call and be as helpful as you can.  Recruiters are extremely networked and are not likely to forget that you helped them find a key placement in the past.

4. Define your brand.  To stand out in the competitive hiring market, define your personal story, guiding principles, and elevator pitch.  Consider your biggest successes, but also your most instructive failures as these are more likely to shape your future approach to similar business challenges.

Peter Goodman is an author of Win-Win Career Negotiations, Penguin Books, and frequent contributor to leading national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, BusinessWeek, and the Chicago Tribune.

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