Ten ways to make your job application stand out
posted 20 Dec 23
In today's competitive job market, it’s more important than ever to make your job application stand out to hiring managers and potential employers and secure an interview.
Hiring managers and CV scanning technologies review hundreds of applications per job listing. The people who stand out in job applications are those who make a real connection - meaning, it’s not just about your skills and qualifications, it’s what else you bring to the table.
Whether you are a recent graduate looking for your first job or an experienced professional looking for a career change, discover ten application techniques that help professionals at all levels stand out.
1. Include a cover letter
Including a cover letter with your job application can significantly enhance your chances of standing out among other applicants, as it goes beyond the basic details in your CV and gives you an opportunity to make a compelling case for why you are the ideal candidate.
In general, it’s best to keep cover letters concise (one-page maximum), but we recommend you consider the following points.
- Personalisation: Tailor your cover letter to the job and company you are applying for to demonstrate you have done your research and understand their values, mission, and goals. Not only showcasing that you have the right skills for the roles, but you’re a great cultural fit.
- Highlight key points: Elaborate on specific experiences, skills, and achievements that make you a strong candidate for the position. Go beyond the bullet points on your CV and provide context for your qualifications.
- Express your enthusiasm: Convey your passion for the role and the company to leave a lasting impression on the employer. You may even want to share anecdotes or specific examples to help you be more memorable than other applicants.
- Demonstrate your competency: A well-written cover letter demonstrates that you possess strong communication skills, attention to detail, and professionalism. It also proves that you are willing to go the extra mile as you tailor your application rather than submit a generic CV.
2. Use keywords
Many employers use search tools and CV-scanning technology to skim applications for specific keywords. But don’t worry, this isn’t as tricky as it sounds - there are no ‘secret keywords’ you need to include to make your job application stand out. Simply address the selection criteria in your application or key proficiencies within the job specification, including any skills, industry-specific jargon, and job-specific keywords referenced.
- Skills: If the job requires proficiency in Microsoft Excel, make sure to include this skill.
- Industry-specific jargon: This demonstrates your knowledge of the industry. If you’re applying for a job in Marketing, use terms such as “SEO,” “content marketing,” and “branding”.
- Job-specific keywords: Every position has specific keywords and phrases associated with them. If you’re applying for a job in Sales, you could use keywords such as “prospecting,” “lead generation,” and “closing deals.”
3. Add personality
After reviewing hundreds of applications, potential employers value personal touches that help distinguish you from the rest. So, capture their interest within the first few seconds by adding a personal branding statement that briefly summarises your qualities and strengths. If you have hobbies or interests relevant to the role, you may also want to highlight these to give employers a sense of your passion and skills outside of work.
4. Include a photograph
Many of us are visual thinkers, therefore applications with photos can help you stand out. Remember to leave selfies for Instagram and only use a professional photo appropriate to your industry, for example a photo taken at work or an event. If you work within a creative or marketing field, including a photo of yourself within your application is a great tactic. However, if you work within the professional services market and you don’t feel comfortable doing so, it’s okay to skip this tip!
5. Provide real-life examples
It’s very easy to list our skills and responsibilities, but to bring your application to life you'll need to provide real-life examples that support your statements. You can do this by using stats and figures. For example, instead of saying you provide “great customer service”, you could say “I provide great customer service, on average I solve 20 customer queries per day with an overall satisfaction rating of 95%”.
6. Provide a portfolio
While not every job application requires a portfolio, it can be a powerful tool in industries such as design, marketing, writing, programming, and other fields where showcasing tangible examples of your work is essential.
If you’re applying for a job in a creative field, providing a portfolio will be able to display the range and depth of your experience. If you’re not sure where to start you can use design programs like Canva to quickly create a professional-looking portfolio or one-page website.
If you work within a professional services role, your portfolio could be your LinkedIn profile which will host a collection of recommendations, achievements, and relevant thoughts.
7. Use colour
Colour can certainly help your application to stand out and be used to highlight specific sections of your CV or cover letter, such as headings or important achievements. When deciding on your colour scheme, consider whether it suits the role and industry you’re applying for. While there is no definitive answer to what colours you should use, stick to one or two colours that reflect your industry and complement one another. For example, professional services may stick to dark or muted colours, whereas creative professionals will use a more colourful palette to show their personality. Remember, it is always best to keep your main background colour white and the font black for readability.
8. Be as concise as possible
As you will know by now, employers are often swamped with applications. Getting straight to the point shows that you value the employer’s time and that you can prioritise information effectively. A concise application can also be easier to read and retain information from. By focusing on the valuable information and avoiding unnecessary additional information, it will help your application stand out.
9. Take time to proof your application
You’ve already spent lots of time crafting the perfect application, do not fall at the final hurdle! Take time to proofread your application or ask a friend for a second opinion. Look out for typos and grammatical errors, but also any incomplete information such as employment dates. You should also cross-reference your application to the initial application questions or job specification. Paying close attention to detail to your application is the perfect way to show how great you’ll be when you get the job.
10. Follow up your application
Don’t be afraid to follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter if you have not heard back in a week or two. Sending an email to follow up can express your enthusiasm and initiative. The message could look like this:
“Hello X,
I hope you’re well.
I’m following up on my job application for X which I submitted on X. I’m excited about the opportunity to join your team and believe that my skills and experience make me a valuable asset to your organisation.
Please let me know if there’s any additional information that I can provide to support my application. I’m enthusiastic about the company’s mission and culture and confident that I would thrive in the role. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
X”
Have you found this article insightful? At Search, we work with 6,000+ businesses across the UK and have uncovered what makes a great application in today’s job market. If you are looking for more support help your application stand out, contact us today, our dedicated recruitment consultants will be happy to provide personalised recommendations.
