I am here with Ryan Kahn, Career Coach with Dream Careers. Ryan is featured on the docu-series MTV Hired, as he advises job seekers on how to get hired at the most competitive companies. Ryan has advised thousands of professionals on how to get hired, so whether you have no real world experience, or are a seasoned professional looking for a career change, grab your pen and take some notes, as your dream career could be at your fingertips.

Scott: Hi Ryan. Thank you for being here, and congratulations on the recent success of MTV Hired. I had a chance to see the premiere and I felt like I should have been taking notes given all of the advice you provided. Let me ask you, how did you get started as a career coach?

Ryan Kahn: Thank you for having me. It has been an incredible ride, and I can truly say that I am doing what I love. My coaching career started early, as I was fortunate to work for some incredible companies. I began to realize I had some talent when I went back to school at UCLA's Entertainment Studies program, and I began giving advice to all of my classmates on how to break into the competitive entertainment industry. Over the years, I have learned that all job seekers have unique abilities in their specific field. But where I feel there is a disconnect, is that unless one of your unique abilities is knowing and understanding how to secure a job, companies will never have a chance to fully evaluate those abilities. What helps me succeed as a coach is that my strengths and passions come from helping people realize and achieve their full potential. Everyday my job is rewarding as I take pleasure in helping people secure their dream jobs.

Scott: So tell me, what some key mistakes people are making in the job search?

Ryan Kahn: I wouldn't say that candidates are necessarily making a lot of mistakes necessarily; however, in such a hyper-competitive job market, everyone needs to find a way to creatively differentiate themselves from the hundreds or thousands of candidates applying for the same position. I have a lot of advice, but the 3 most fundamental techniques I can give are: First, write a witty opening line of your cover letter. First impressions are important and the more applicants for a position, the few lines a hiring manager will read. Don't be generic; make sure you opening line says why you are unique. Second, do your homework! Make sure your resume says why you would be a good fit for the available position. The more specific experience you can show related to the current opening, the more confident the hiring manager will be in your abilities. I know you put a lot of work into your morning paper route when you were 15, but it's time to remove your summer jobs from your resume, and showcase your real-world experience/internships! Lastly, network! Network! NETWORK! If you only ask for something when you need it, chances are pretty good that you won't get it. Work your way into circles who will vouch for your abilities. The best place to start is professional organizations, your social media sites, and your family and friends. You never know who people know, so never burn bridges.

Scott: What are employers looking for on your resume?

Ryan Kahn: To be honest, resumes are a key marketing tool to get your foot in the door, but your resume alone will never secure you the job. Your resume should be catered to your industry, and should do a good job of highlighting your past accomplishments, while showcasing your ability to succeed in the job you are applying for. Misspellings, poor formatting, or poor grammar will instantly get you eliminated from consideration. Make sure your resume has something industry relevant. If you are fresh out of college and applying for an entry-level position, make sure you have internship experience. Chances are the most sought after internships you apply for will be unpaid, but when it comes to interviewing, you will have the edge over students without experience no matter what college they went to. Hiring mangers want to hire candidates who are able to speak to real-world projects that are related to the projects your will be completing in their organization, and if all you can reference are the projects you performed in class, the risk increases to hire you. Don't be afraid to leave your comfort zone and try new fields with your internship experiences. I would suggest interning internationally or spending a summer in your industries trend-setting cities (ie, Finance in New York, Entertainment in LA!) Internships are the perfect opportunity to try something new, leave a traditional college job at home, and differentiate yourself from your peers. If you are a seasoned professional who is looking for a career change or has lost a position, keep your skills sharp by earning a professional certification in a niche skill, join a professional group to network, and stay connected with the trends of your industry.

Scott: How do I get hired?

Ryan: I can't give away all of the secrets. You'll just have to tune in to MTV's Hired weeknights or visit http://www.SummerInternships.com/ryan-kahn to review my video blog to help you through your career search.