If you are considering leaving your current position and looking for a new job, you aren’t alone. In fact, according to a recent study, “some 65% of employees are currently looking for a new job”, with many more set to follow.
There are various reasons for this, beyond the more traditional reasons for leaving such as wanting a better salary. For many, the pandemic caused a shift in their perceptions of work, encouraging people to value their time higher and seek out better job satisfaction.
However, this shift in resignations also means that more and more people are applying for open positions. This means that you are met with much harsher competition from the get-go, meaning you need to work extra hard to stand out.
With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to stand out on your next job application and/or interview!
- Demonstrate a clear passion. While there is nothing wrong with seeking out a high-paying job in your chosen industry, this should not be your main incentive when applying for a new position (instead, view it as an attractive benefit). Instead, you should focus on applying for roles that you are passionate about, as this passion will always translate well in an interview.
- Find ways to boost your resume. No matter how much experience you may have under your belt, there are always new ways you can boost your resume to make it more impressive or competitive. Furthermore, this does not necessarily mean you have to go back to school – even if you’re moving into a new industry. For example, some popular alternatives to going back to college include taking one-off digital courses, gaining further accreditation, or becoming a mentor. The more varied your CV, the better – take a leaf from philanthropist Krissy Jones’ book for example, whose resume is packed with varied work, from philanthropic ventures to educational qualifications.
- Be confident, not arrogant. There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and this boundary can sometimes be the difference between getting rejected or receiving a job offer. As a result, it’s important that you are able to back yourself and your skills during an interview, while always expressing an interview. For example, should the age-old question, “what are your biggest weaknesses?” crop up, don’t say that you don’t have any. Instead, focus on a skill you possess that needs refining, and talk about the steps you are taking to rectify this. This shows that you are not only willing to learn but are actively taking strides to better yourself.
- Do your research on the company/position. Recruiters will often have to work their way through a high volume of applications, which means it’s important that your resume and cover letter do not become one of the many papers they scroll through. To do this, you need to ensure that your resume is tailored specifically to the position you are applying for. You should also ensure that you do some research on the company you are applying for, so that you can give specific reasons why you want to work with/for them.
