Changing Careers? Here's How To Set Yourself Apart During A Job Hunt

Truth be told, I've never understood the fuss about mayo. It's flavorless and weird. And what's the deal with the raw eggs? One day, I bought vegan chipotle mayo because I was in a rush and needed a dipping sauce for my yam fries. I was taking them to a party and thought, People like mayo, right? This will work. Anyway, I tried it. Now I can't get enough of the stuff.

The mayonnaise industry is a $13.5 billion one. And if you were trying to get into it, you might think that the competition is stiff and there's no room for you. You might say that it's been done before, every kitchen already has a jar somewhere in the back of the fridge, and you're outta luck.

No matter how many brands are on the market, there could be a Canadian gal standing in Whole Foods Market in a rush on a Friday night who would totally buy something a little different if it was there. That's where your vegan chipotle mayo comes in.

Instead of lamenting over how many other real estate agents there are in your city and then using it to fuel your case against your genius, remember that you can offer something different in a crowded field.

No matter how good a real estate ad looks at the bus stop, some people might want to hire you because you grew up in the neighborhood. So don't make the mistake of assuming that there's no room for you. Because there is.

If you're a student trying to get into college, tell admissions what makes you unique and don't be shy about it. My business school application was a creative essay about my love for making jewelry. Specifically, "the possibility of something beautiful, not yet given form." (Very poetic, thank you.)

If you're on a team vying for a promotion, articulate what you can do that nobody else can, and back it up with proof from the past.

If you're changing careers, use your outside knowledge to your advantage. If everyone's a longtime accountant and you're picking up accounting after being a professional baker, explain how your genius transfers and leverages your ability to see things with fresh eyes. That outside perspective is more alluring to employers than you realize. Plus, when you're brand-new to something, having a beginner's mindset is actually an asset because you don't see the same obstacles as those who've been in the industry for a while. So play it up, buttercup.