How to Stand Out From Other Applicants

Advice Job Hunting Interviewing Candidate

Is 2024 the year of change? If you are planning on looking for a new job or have been invited for an interview, then we have got some tips for you to ensure you stand out from the crowd. It can be a tough job market out there, with strong competition for many vacancies. Recruiters receive hundreds of CVs for every job advertised and research suggests they spend between 5-7 seconds scanning each application. Therefore, you need to make an impact and make it fast when you are applying for a new job. Writing an outstanding CV is only part of the step. You also need to make a strong, memorable impression during the interview phase if you want to land your dream job and stick out as a top contender.

Unfortunately, having the right qualifications is no longer enough to secure a job offer. Though you might have the right training and qualifications, a great personality fit, and experience under your belt, so might ten other candidates who have applied as well! Therefore, competition is tough and how you stand out from other applicants in the recruitment process is key. Here are some tips to help you differentiate yourself from others to stay top-of-mind for that dream job you have your eye on.

Tailoring your CV to the job

Often candidates are being screened out for not having the exact experience or skills matched to the job criteria. Make sure you specifically tailor your CV and Cover Letter for each application and focus your work experience on your CV to respond to the requirements of the job or the company as closely as you can. The job description should give you a good idea of what's expected. You could use your original CV and cover letter as more of a template, then you can edit to highlight the experiences, skills, and personality traits that relate to each position that you choose to apply for.

Choose your targets

Some employers refer to 'over-qualified' as a reason not to take on applicants who are too skilled or experienced for the role they are recruiting. Many do this in fear that these candidates are using this opportunity as a stepping stone and will leave as soon as something better comes along. So, if you're changing career, or at a stage where an entry-level role is appropriate for you, be sure you explain why in your application to ensure the recruiting manager understands your reasons for wanting the job and doesn’t make any false assumptions.

Highlight your points of difference

You may consider yourself to be a "team player" or "hard-working" individual, but these traits can come across too generic. Instead, think about what makes you truly unique and why, remember to be specific. Talk about the accomplishments, qualities, and value-adds that make you suitable for the role and include the results and achievements from your previous roles.

Remain enthusiastic and focussed

It's hard not to feel down if you don't get a job, especially if you felt the interview went well, or that it would have been a perfect fit for you. However, staying positive in your job search is vital if you're to avoid any note of negativity, frustration or desperation creeping into your future applications.

Prepare for interviews

Aim to know more about the company you're interviewing at than any of the other candidates. Find out about their achievements and who their key people are. Know about the organisation itself; their products or services; their clients and competitors. Learn about the industry and what the challenges and opportunities currently are. Are you connected to anyone in the business? If so, what can they tell you about it or what it's like to work there? Detailed information about the company will make you more memorable and show your genuine interest in the role.

Include relevant keywords

Most recruitment agencies and internal HR teams use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to help filter CVs and reduce candidate screening time. Sometimes they can exclude CVs based on a specific set of criteria searched using keywords. So, when you're writing your CV, ensure you're using the keywords you see in the job advert throughout your text to create keyword matching in the ATS.

Reach out to your network

Employers love meeting talent through referrals, as current employees have already given them positive feedback. You could increase your chances of an employee recommendation by reaching out to your professional network. Make sure people you know are aware you're looking for a job. Leads can come from all sorts of unlikely places, so stay visible to friends, ex-colleagues, family members etc. Consider making yourself visible at industry events or conferences and volunteering can be another way to meet people in your target industry/sector. You could use LinkedIn to build your professional image, as it's becoming increasingly relevant for job seekers and employers in search of new talent.

Imagine you already have the job

If you're looking to impress your interviewer, think from the perspective that you already have the job you're applying for and think about what you can achieve in the first 3-6 months. Maybe come up with a list of tasks you think will have a significant impact, innovative ideas for the company's future growth, and even a draft plan of action. Show you're thinking about the bigger picture and where you see yourself fitting into it.

Ask interesting questions

One way to engage your interviewer and stand out is to ask thoughtful questions that will help you figure out if it's the right position for you. Here are some examples:

• What challenges might the successful candidate face?
• How do you assess employee performance?
• What learning opportunities do you offer?
• What advancement and career growth opportunities are there?
• What's your vision for the company's future?