How you can be the stand out job applicant

We all want to make a great first impression. We all want to be told after our interview that we were the stand out job applicant. It’s the glorious light at the end of the job seeking tunnel, right? But what does it take to be a stand out candidate?

Firstly, what are we really saying when we say some one is a stand out job applicant? They might:

• have a great positive energy
• clearly demonstrate the ability to perform in the role
• complement the team structure
• appear to adapt quickly to new roles
• bring something unique to the team

So when you really break it down, being a stand out job applicant is about having the right combination of soft skills and technical abilities.

Writing a stand out application

Let’s look at some ways you can be the stand out job applicant and get recruiters and employers excited to interview you.

Your CV is tight and polished

Sorry to sound like a broken record… but we suggest always tailoring your CV for the position you are applying for.

This might involve reading the position description and identifying what the top 4 technical and soft skills are essential or desirable. Try to highlight your experience developing and strengthening these skills when describing your responsibilities in previous roles.

We also think the practice of writing a career summary has a great stand out factor. It’s a really neat way to eloquently sum up your experience and capabilities.

Your cover letter is well written and interesting

Cover letters are where you can get a bit more comfortable and a bit more you.

Is there something that makes you stand out from the crowd? This is your chance to make a big deal about it. It could be something that exemplifies a technical or soft skill you might have that other candidates may not.

Make it personal and discuss some of the experiences you have had in the workforce that make you special. It’s also worth explaining recent or significant gaps in your employment history, such as time taken off to study, caring for somebody or travel. This way your cover letter can act to join the dots of your CV and create a fuller picture of you as an individual.

Your social media network

Beyond making sure there are no nasty surprises lurking on your profile, social media can actually be a tool to help you stand out. Making sure you have an updated LinkedIn which reflects the same experience in your application is a great start. LinkedIn is a great source of information about you as a employee. Use it to show:

• Who you know. LinkedIn can show a network in a way a cover letter and CV can not.

• What you couldn’t fit in your tailored CV and cover letter. Use LinkedIn to fill in the blanks for employers who are keen to know more.

Not completely convinced its worth the effort? why not take a look at our article on how to use LinkedIn to get a job.

Depending on your industry, it might also be a good idea to be proactive on other platforms, like Twitter and Instagram.