"Doppelgänger" refers to any double, twin or look-alike of a person.

According to the 2007 US Census, each year there are more than 2.4 million new college graduates between the ages of 18 and 24. Did you realize that there are less than 300,000 new entry-level jobs available for them in their chosen careers? Even if there were 1 million new entry-level jobs for those recent graduates, the reality is that more than 50% of them will remain unemployed or under employed!

Now, factor in this reality: Today, because of the highest unemployment in decades, thousands of seasoned professionals are stepping backwards in their careers, taking almost any job they can find, in an effort to provide even the basic necessities for their families. Many of those jobs are the same jobs that, in the past, have gone to college graduates. In addition, statistics show that the average company receives over 275 applications per week for EVERY POSITION that they have posted. This is where the DOPPLEGANGER EFFECT applies. After just one day reviewing candidates' resumes, they all start to look the same, and it takes a 'standout' resume to capture their attention.

In this very competitive job market, every applicant must understand what employers are looking for, and how they think:

• Do your skills, as defined in your cover letter and resume, truly stand out among all of those other resumes?
• Does your resume quantify experiences and skills that you have not only learned, but also applied, through your employment and educational experiences? Most do not!!
• Does YOUR degree from YOUR COLLEGE make you stand out from other applicants? Probably not, unless you are in the top ten percent of your graduating class from a top ten school

The cold, hard fact is that too many recent graduates put too much stock in their most recent accomplishment – Graduating from College. They don't understand that they MUST somehow differentiate themselves and their skills from all of the other graduate applicants. Most recent graduates are guilty of this common mistake – but it is not their fault! Most colleges and universities lead their students to believe that, by attaining a degree from this institution, they will have a definite advantage in the job market. Yes, a job applicant with a degree will almost always have an advantage over an applicant without a degree. But what will distinguish YOU among the millions of other applicants who also have a new degree? In today's highly competitive job market, you must be able to very effectively market yourself – JUST TO GET AN INTERVIEW. It requires well-written resumes and cover letters, in addition to highly effective communication skills in interviews, both face-to-face and on the telephone.

1. Do more than your competition. Don't just apply online. You can tell a prospective employer more by your actions than by your words. Taking extra initiatives to secure a job demonstrates to the employer you are willing to go above and beyond to get the job done.
2. Make certain there are no grammatical errors in your cover letter. If you do not make the effort to proof your own work to find a job, an employer will naturally assume that you are also unwilling to do your best as an employee.
3. Have a resume that "markets" you. Utilize quantifiable data to show a company what you can do for them based on what you have already done.
   
4. Interview with confidence, and be consistent with your resume. Be prepared to answer the employer's questions. Nothing is more frustrating to a potential employer than interviewing a candidate who is different in person than his "marketing" materials presented him to be.
5. Follow up promptly! Leverage the points you feel matched the company's needs and clarify any points that you felt were weak in the interview.

If recent graduates understand what employers are looking for, and then couple that understanding with effective job search principles, they can truly differentiate themselves from their peers. It IS possible to ramp up into the top tier of applicants for those very limited available jobs. You CAN dramatically increase your odds for success in your job search.

Remember, you MUST make yourself stand out among the thousands of other graduates who are seeking YOUR job. Do whatever is necessary to make YOUR resume stand out among the countless other resumes on the employer's desk. Be prepared to stand out in a telephone or live interview.

Don't be a victim of the DOPPLEGANGER EFFECT.