How Job Seekers Can Stand Out in 2020

A new study from Accountemps addresses the often asked question of whether or not employers prefer cover letters, and the answer is yes. Mostly.

A majority of hiring managers (58%) surveyed said they find cover letters helpful.  

An online presence was a very important factor, and the study identified candidate tactics that they impress hiring managers and tactics that turn them away. Specifically, 49% hiring managers are impressed with candidates that network with their employees and provide access to an online portfolio or personal website (47%). Tactics that can hurt a jobseekers chances? Thirty-five percent of hiring managers say using Bitmojis, 25% say caricatures is undesirable, 35% say using colorful fonts and 25% sight colorful backgrounds on applicant materials. Forty percent of surveyed managers found an infographic can be an important factor for job candidates. 

Peter DeLegge

Peter DeLegge is the founder of MarktingHire and a globally recognized marketing thought leader described by Crain's BtoB/AdAge as a "top marketing expert." Peter has managed / led digital marketing at companies such as Motorola, ADT and Aon and consulted to dozens of other companies in a wide range of industries spanning technology, manufacturing and CPG. He founded Marketing Today, an online publication on marketing praised by Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Wharton, UChicago, Northwestern, Inc, Fast Company and others. He is a past DMA "marketing thought leader" keynote speaker and has spoken at events across the US and Canada.