Most job seekers find themselves filling out a lot of applications. Whether you’re working on your first or your fifteenth application, you’re going to want to stand out from the competition. Sometimes it feels like you’re just one person in a sea of applicants – and what a discouraging feeling that can be.
However, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can make your application stand out from the competition with a few tried and true strategies.
Let’s take a look at some ways that you can have a stand-out application, even when there are a lot of people applying for the same position.
When you’re ready to apply for your next job, don’t forget to reach out to Liberty Staffing, your connection to great jobs in Southern Ontario!
Customize Your Application for Each Job Opportunity
It can be tempting to repurpose the same resume and application for one job after another. Unfortunately, this can end up getting you into trouble – or at least get your application ruled out by a hiring manager. Avoid sending the same generic material to every job.
Every open position is different, and so is every potential employer. If you turn in the same application over and over again, you’re not taking full advantage of the opportunity to make yourself and your application stand out by targeting the details of each listing.
Some things you should adjust, from one app to the next, are your relevant skills and experiences. You can also mention the company’s mission and values. This is all about demonstrating that you understand their business needs and how you can help them.
Don’t Just List Your Job Duties – List Your Accomplishments
Take it from the pros at a staffing company – when you have read thousands of resumes, job duties and responsibilities start blending together. It can be easy to start skimming over these details without anything standing out.
One way to overcome this is to quantify your accomplishments instead of just listing your job responsibilities.
For example, instead of saying that your job was to hit sales targets, share the numbers. What kind of sales targets did you hit, and how did you rank within your department? If you worked in a warehouse, tell the hiring manager more than what you did from day to day; tell them the innovative ideas that you implemented and the ways that you solved problems for your employer.
The more you can put into data, numbers, and facts, the better!
Don’t Wait – Apply Quickly!
One of the best ways to get to the top of the list of applications is to be among the first to apply. We recommend that you have a basic, customizable application ready to adjust to each new position that you want to apply for. That way, you can get your resume and cover letter submitted right away, as soon as you see that a new job has been posted.
This also requires that you pay close attention to job listings. Sign up for alerts on various job boards. You can even sign up for alerts about positions at certain companies via LinkedIn.
Working with a staffing company will help you find out about new jobs quickly, sometimes even before they are posted to the public.
Include Work Samples and Portfolios (If They’re Relevant to the Position)
This won’t make sense for every job listing, but if portfolios and work samples are standard in your industry, be sure to include them in your application.
You may need a portfolio if you are applying for design jobs, writing and editing jobs, marketing positions, programming roles, creative jobs, teaching positions, and research and consulting jobs.
Get a Great Referral
If you can get a referral from someone at the company whose opinion is trusted, that can do a lot for you.
This could be a referral from a current employee, a LinkedIn connection you’ve made, a current or former executive/company leader, or even a staffing agency that regularly works with the hiring manager to fill open positions.
Having someone vouch for you goes a long way!
Follow Up After You Apply
We know that you don’t want to be a nuisance, which is why you may avoid reaching out to a company contact after applying or interviewing. You may not want to “be a bother.” But it is good practice to reach out after applying to share your enthusiasm for the position.
Persistence doesn’t have to be irritating; always be polite and professional when you check in about a position.
A thank you note is always a great idea after an interview. It shows that you care about the position and are still interested in the work.
Make Your Application Stand Out by Working With Liberty Staffing
Getting a job in a competitive market takes effort, but if you follow these tips, you will set yourself up for success in the job market.
With a focused, persistent approach customized for every position, you can showcase your talents, skills, and qualifications.
Don’t forget that a staffing agency can be one of your best resources in any job search! At Liberty Staffing Services, we help job seekers find great positions at great companies. Whether you’re just starting your job search or you’re frustrated with a lack of success, reach out to us so that we can help you find the right next job quickly!
