Identifying a competitive advantage when looking for jobs is extremely important. Below are listed some factors, gleaned from IT recruitment consultants which you can use to impress them and increase your chances of getting a job.

1. Be grounded when it comes to quoting rates:  Be realistic or you’ll price yourself out of the market.

2. Make sure you highlight your core skills by putting it at the forefront of your CV.

Refrain from putting every skill you have ever had on there. It could clutter up your CV and the employer will not be able to spot the skills he or she wants. Employers are known to devote a maximum of 2 minutes (and probably less) to glance through your CV.

3. While speaking with the agent, keep in handy the job reference for the advert for the specific job that you are applying for.
It doesn’t give a good first impression if you .

It is not unusual for the agent to have multiple job ads out for jobs that require similar skills.

4. Your CV should reflect the level that you have acquired for each of your core skills and offer some information/insight into when you last used them.

5. Swat up on your skills before an interview. You may not have explored the full repertoire of any skillset at a particular job, but you may have to face questions on them.

You need to have answers at the tip of your tongue even if  you haven’t used the skills at your last job.

6. Apply for as many contracts as possible and follow up any written contact you have made with a phone call shortly afterwards. Following up makes a lot of sense as it would help you put yourself first in line for it. There is always a possibility that a job might have just come in and you seem to completely fit the bill.
 
7. If you feel it is not a good time to try and negotiate with the agent over a contract, then don't do it. There is no dearth of such people and the agency will just turn to someone else

8. Do not harbour negative feelings towards the agent. Agents, like anybody else, are just people, and can be affected by your attitude towards them. It holds true for any industry. If someone likes you, they’re much more likely to do business with you.

9. Your CV should not run into more than two or three pages. It is foolhardy to put skills on your CV that are more than five years old.

The agent or employer will not look at it more than two minutes anyway, so why bother to include skills that are jaded and will exceed the number of pages.

10. You need to tailor your CV to each different job application. Customizing does not imply manipulating your CV with false facts, but merely to bring to the fore the particular skills that the employer with the job wants.

If the employer is looking for someone with Java experience, highlighting your skills in C++ will not help.

11. Your CV should be able to able to hold the employer’s attention. It certainly would help to make it a little different and fun to read. Your CV is  perhaps the best way to sell yourself.

12.  What can also make it more distinct and taut is not doing the obvious. Do In the  skills area, focus on what your strongest traits are, e.g. determination, makes sure the work gets done, has good attention to detail etc. The agency and employer are also interested in knowing what type of person you are apart from your skills.

13. Develop strong communication skills. You must demonstrate your knack for salesmanship , even if its regarding your own services and match the recruitment agent’ salesmanship.

14.  Get feedback from agents and employers on how you’ve framed your cv. Accept he criticism and don’t argue with them.  Use information which you find feasible to make the necessary changes.