When college students are able to differentiate themselves from others in the pack, they will greatly improve their chances for job hunting success. Employers are always on the lookout for students who stand out in a positive way. For that reason, every college student should try to capitalize on their strengths and unique abilities. That’s where they will have the best chance of attracting attention and interest.

When students are able to identify their gifts, develop them and use them to make something better, employers will take notice. Wise students recognize and accept this fact early in their college experience. To that end, students who are looking for a way to differentiate themselves should look in the following areas.

Things You Do Well - Everybody does something well. When you focus on things that you do well and enjoy, your results are much more likely to stand out and impress potential employers. Wouldn’t you prefer to work in a field where you are likely to do well?

Your Communication Skills - If you write, present, negotiate and question well and enjoy that role, make a point of developing and demonstrating those skills throughout your college years. Employers love candidates who have exceptional communication skills.

Your Leadership Skills - Students with leadership skills will always be in high demand. If you can mobilize, motivate and inspire others to action, you should use that ability to achieve results on campus, at work and in the local community. It will lead to a good job.

What You’ve Accomplished For Others - Every employer wants to know if you can contribute to the success of their organization. Any past successes, positive results and accomplishments that have benefited others will tell employers about your capabilities and potential. Make certain that your accomplishments and successes are presented on your resume and discussed during interviews.

Academic Performance - If you excel in the academic arena, be certain to stand out in your major and build a solid relationship with well respected professors in your area of expertise. Together, they can open doors for you. However, since employers often prefer well rounded students, it pays to obtain at least one other campus, work or community experience.

Your Positive Attitude and Personality - Even though they may stand out in some area, students with dull, difficult or offensive attitudes and personalities will frequently lose out. On the other hand, students with outstanding attitudes and personalities will always attract attention, even if they fall a bit short someplace else. Therefore, when you present a positive attitude and great personality, you will almost always have an advantage over those who have poor attitudes and difficult personalities.

What Others Say About You - When influential and respected people say good things about you, employers listen. Use quotes, references and recommendations to set yourself apart. When you impress a person of note, don’t be afraid to ask for a quote, reference or recommendation. He/she will usually be happy to oblige.

Money You’ve Generated or Saved - If you want to impress an employer, talk their language. Money! Employers are always attracted to students who have made or saved money for their college, employer or community.

People You Know - Employers are sometimes impressed by the people you know and associate with. They may include campus leaders, executives with prestigious employers, community leaders and politicians. People like that make exceptional networking contacts and can open doors for you.

Your Technical Skills - You may have exceptional technical knowledge and skills in your area of interest. If you do, there will be a group of employers that will be interested in you. If you become a pioneer, an expert or a leader in a technical area, employers will beat a path to your door.

Speed - In business, speed matters. Therefore, if you have the ability to do something faster or make something happen faster than anyone else, employers will be interested. Your past successes with increasing the speed of equipment, procedures, systems, programs or technology will impress employers in that field.

Your Problem-Solving Skills - Every field of employment involves solving problems. Therefore, if you have been successful in solving problems in your field of interest, most employers will be interested in learning about you and your successes.

Your Creative Skills - Some people are naturally creative and inventive. If you can see other ways of doing things, generate and develop ideas or bring unrelated things together to produce new answers and approaches, that talent will be in demand.

Jobs You’ve Held - Employers are always interested in learning about any job-related experience that you’ve gained through part-time and summer jobs. Students who have worked for employers in their field of interest will usually have an advantage over students who have no job-related experience.

To increase the number of job offers that you receive, find a way to be memorable in a positive way. When your gifts, talents and accomplishments are presented effectively, employers will hear your voice over all others. Remember, differentiation means job hunting success.