Searching for a new job is always tough, but things could become much harder with unemployment set to rise as a result of the pandemic and subsequent recession. There are jobs available, though, so the key will be knowing how to stand out from the crowd and submit the best possible application. Read on for a few tips which should come in helpful.
Show That Your Values Align with the Company’s
Having experience and relevant qualifications is obviously important when looking for work, but you must keep in mind that this will not help you to stand out when jobs are competitive. Therefore, you need to show that your values align with that of the company and show that you would be a good fit for its culture. You should be able to get an idea of this through research, including looking at the company website and on social media.
Tailor Each Cover Letter & CV
It can be tempting to opt for a scatter gun approach where you fire off dozens of applications to employers all with the same information, but you will find more success by casting a line as opposed to a net. This means tailoring each cover letter and CV to each job application – this will help you to convey the right information as well as show your attention to detail (it is easy to identify a generic cover letter and will deter employers).
Prepare Questions for the Interview
The interview is the key stage of the application process but also the one which many people struggle with. Obviously, you need to dress appropriately, present yourself effectively and think about what questions you might face and how you could answer these, but there is more that you can do. This should involve preparing a few thoughtful questions for the interviewer which will help you to learn more, show your interest and show your confidence.
Think Outside the Box
It is tough to stand out from the crowd when there are many people all going for one position. This is why you need to be creative and think outside the box to really make your application jump out. How you do this will depend on the type of role that you are going for, but for inspiration, one application for a graphic designer at printed banner specialists instantprint made a life-sized roller banner of herself so that they could “visualize working with her”. Jennie from instantprint said that it was “such a creative way to stand out” and it is a good example of thinking outside the box. Another good example is Adam Pacitti, who launched an “employ Adam” campaign involving buying a billboard – he secured 60 interviews from the campaign.
Have an Online Presence
Having an online presence has always been important but never more so than today, during the pandemic, where people are not meeting face-to-face. Using LinkedIn, and having a professional website and professional social media channels can go a long way when looking for work.
This post should help you to stand out from the crowd when applying for a job and hopefully will help you to secure rewarding work. It is tough out there right now which means that you need to make a strong impression, get your name out there, and find ways to stand out.
