It can be incredibly frustrating to send out application after application only to receive rejections, or even worse, no response at all.
While hundreds of candidates are often vying for a single role, only a handful make it to the interview round. Therefore, you must distinguish yourself from the competition if you want to succeed in the job hunt.
Enter the million-dollar question: how exactly do you capture the attention of prospective employers in today’s saturated job market?
Keep reading to learn effective techniques for making your application stand out and improving your chances of landing an interview.
Does Cold Applying Still Work?
Yes, you can still land a job by cold applying online through a company’s Careers Page. However, unless you’re one of the lucky few, relying solely on cold applications isn’t likely to land you a significant number of interviews in today’s competitive job market. Cold applications are just one component of a comprehensive job search strategy.
[Read: How To Access The “Hidden Job Market” In Tech (With Examples)]
6 Tips To Make Your Job Application Stand Out
So, how do you boost your chances of securing an interview amidst a sea of applicants? Here are 6 actionable steps you can take to make your job application stand out:
1. Target appropriate roles.
In today’s highly competitive job market, strategically targeting roles that align with your background, experience, and skills is more important than ever before. The current job market requires you to be thoughtful and precise rather than quickly firing off applications to any role you might find remotely interesting.
While you might be tempted to reach for “stretch” roles in a less saturated market, these positions are now less attainable. However, it’s still important not to undersell yourself by applying for positions multiple levels below your current one, as you can risk coming off as overqualified, which becomes increasingly risky when the competition for the roles is so fierce.
In this challenging job market, a good rule of thumb is to meet nearly all the required qualifications and a good portion of the preferred qualifications.
If you’re looking to transition into the tech industry, keep in mind that the selection process will likely be more rigorous, as there’s increased competition, and employers have the luxury of being highly selective.
That said, when in doubt, it never hurts to apply when you’re genuinely interested in a company or role. The worst a prospective employer can do is say no.
2. Customize your resume for each application you submit.
Once you’ve identified appropriate roles, you want to be sure to demonstrate how you’re the perfect fit for each position. One effective way to do this is by tailoring your resume to align with the language used in the job posting.
While this advice is common, few professional resume writers and career coaches provide specific tips on how exactly to customize your resume for each application. As I’ve shared previously, one way to do so is to set aside 20 to 30 minutes to strategically and intentionally insert keywords into your resume.
This can be as simple as adding relevant, customizable keyword phrases at the beginning of each resume bullet. For instance, let’s say you led a globally distributed team to implement a new ERP system, resulting in millions of dollars in cost savings. By simply adjusting the initial keyword phrase, you can focus the reader’s attention on different aspects of this experience:
- Global Team Leadership
- Technical Project Management
- ERP Implementation
- Multimillion-Dollar Cost Savings
Depending on the role you’re applying for, you’ll choose the keyword that best aligns with the employer’s needs and refine it to match their specific language.
Expert tip: This strategy not only helps you tailor your resume when initially applying for a position but also makes it easier for recruiters and sourcers to locate your resume in their applicant tracking system (ATS).
3. Strategically market your unique value proposition.
With so many job seekers vying for a single role, you must differentiate yourself from other candidates if you want to secure an interview.
My favorite way to do this is by focusing on your unique value proposition (AKA your fabulousness), which is the distinct combination of experiences, skills, and qualities that makes you uniquely qualified for the position you’re seeking.
If you’re a regular reader of my Forbes column and job search blog, I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but it bears repeating: clearly articulating what sets you apart from fellow candidates is one of the best ways to make your application stand out to prospective employers.
As you work to identify and articulate your fabulousness, you want to consider the benefit to your prospective employer. In other words, why should they care?
For instance, if you spent 10 years at a consulting firm before moving to big tech, connect the dots for whoever is reading your resume. Tell them how this diverse experience enables you to identify solutions and execute them effectively, a combination that could be invaluable to your future employer.
Keep in mind that recruiters and hiring managers often review hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes daily. Consequently, please don’t leave it to them to connect the dots in your application. Instead, clearly demonstrate how your unique experiences and skills translate into value for the organization.
4. Keep your LinkedIn Profile updated and optimized.
Next, you want to ensure your LinkedIn profile aligns with your resume. While your LinkedIn content (headline, summary, and Experience section) may be unique, particularly if you’re customizing your resume for each application, your high-level employment details should remain consistent:
- Do your dates of employment align?
- Are your job titles consistent?
- Are your employers the same?
Small discrepancies between your resume and LinkedIn profile can lead recruiters or hiring managers to question the accuracy of other details, potentially causing your application to be passed over.
As an added bonus, an updated, optimized LinkedIn profile not only supports your applications but can also increase your likelihood of being found by prospective employers on the platform.
[Read: The Truth About Lying On Your Resume]
5. Dedicate time to tactical networking.
Networking is one of the most underrated strategies you can use to make your application stand out in a saturated job market.
In an era of “Easy Apply” on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, many job seekers fall into the trap of sending out dozens of applications daily without a second thought. However, investing a few minutes in strategic and intentional networking can really make a difference in your job search.
While it’s tempting to focus solely on the number of applications you submit each day or week, consider instead setting a goal of reaching out to approximately five people at your target company for every application you submit. (Of course, this ratio will vary depending on the role and company, but it’s a great starting point, particularly for tech job seekers who are looking for a KPI to strive for).
[Read: How To Better Cold Message On LinkedIn For A Job (With Examples)]
6. Follow up on your job applications.
Lastly, if your application didn’t grab the recruiter’s attention the first time, please don’t lose hope. A quick follow-up can often get a second set of eyes on your application and may even lead to an interview.
While it may not always be possible, try to find the recruiter’s LinkedIn profile or email address so that you can use it to check in on the status of your application.
You can also reach out to your contacts within the company to see whether they might be able to connect you with the recruiter or hiring manager directly.
Is It Worth Following Up On A Job Application?
Yes! Following up on your job application is worth it, especially in a tough employment market. Few actions in your job search can boost your application-to-interview ratio as powerfully and effectively as strategic follow-up.
While you can’t guarantee that a follow-up message (or two) will generate a response, you have nothing to lose by reaching out. Polite persistence can often be the key to landing a role in a competitive job market.
When you do follow up, please be mindful of your tone and the frequency of your messages. Keep in mind that recruiters are busy, and your goal is to obtain an update on your application while reinforcing your continued interest, not to come off as desperate or impatient.
[Read: How To Best Ask A Recruiter For An Update (With Example)]
Final Thoughts On Making Your Job Application Stand Out
Navigating a tough job market can be challenging, but it’s not impossible to stand out from the competition and land a role if you’re strategic, intentional, and thoughtful with your efforts.
Instead of focusing on just one aspect of your job search strategy, consider layering and optimizing multiple strategies from this article to make the most of your time and energy.
On a final note, if you’re still feeling stuck in your job search, or simply want the support of a trained professional as you look for your next opportunity, please feel free to reach out or schedule a consultation. I’m here for you! You’ve got this!
