Last Updated on September 20, 2024
After hours of scouring the internet through job description after job description, you’ve uncovered the job you have been seeking. Now that you have finally found the job of your dreams, what do you do now? Â
There are some right moves and some wrong moves when it comes to the job application process. What are the steps you can take to ensure your success? How do you elevate yourself above other candidates in your application? Here are our curated tips for how to stand out in a job application.Â
12 Suggestions on How To Stand out in a Job Application
Take note of these 12 steps to understand how you can show employers that you truly are the right person for the job. More often than not, success will come to those who are willing to put in the work to do things the right way.Â
1. Understand the Company
A crucial part of the application process is doing your homework to understand the company that you are applying for. This will help you stand out in the application process and in the eventual interviews. This should be your first step whenever applying for a job. The research process gives you the opportunity to uncover important pieces of information about the company or position that you can leverage in your interview, resume, or cover letter. This can also help you discover that you have connections in the company.Â
2. Cater your Resume to the Job
One surefire way to get your resume to the next level is by making it specific to each job application. This sets you apart from the other applicants who simply copy and paste the same resume from application to application. The days when this was successful are over. Using keywords from the job description will show that you know what they are looking for and were willing to put in the work to show the employer that you have the needed skills.Â
3. Craft a Stellar Cover Letter
If there is ever an option to add a cover letter to your application, jump on the opportunity. This gives you the chance to show more of your personality in the initial steps of the interview process. A resume is great, but a cover letter is extremely powerful if you are looking to add character to your application.Â
4. Have a Strong Network
Having connections works for a reason. There are few more powerful ways to get a job than by having a friend in the company that you are applying for. Some great tips can be found in the linked article for how to use LinkedIn to find a job. Using your network when looking for a job and applying for positions is perhaps the most useful tip on the list when it comes to how to stand out in job applications. Having a connection with the company certainly gives you a leg up above other potential job candidates.Â
5. Make your Skills Known
Job applications are not the time to work on your humility. Show your skills off and rock them. Whether it is in your resume, cover letter, or other documents, you can really elevate your odds of landing the job by including all of the basic qualifications and preferred qualifications in your application. Not including the needed skills and qualifications can take you out of the running, so don’t be shy when talking about what you can do.Â
6. Show You Want to Grow
If you have the option to have a cover letter, you can show your willingness to grow in there. Additionally, you can use the interview process as another opportunity to bring up your desire to learn. Companies love individuals who bring strong skillsets, but they also highly value those who soak up information and knowledge like a sponge. Whether you are in the interview process or in the initial application for a job, be sure to mention your willingness to grow so that you can stand out in your job application.Â
7. Utilize the Job Description
Using the job description in your favor is the secret sauce to any good application. While we have discussed this already in part, but this is your way of showing employers EXACTLY what they want to see. In fact, if you don’t meet all the basic parameters of the job, then it is likely that you won’t be considered to be hired for the position.  Â
8. Nail the Job Interview
It goes without saying, but the interview process is pretty crucial to getting a job. One important method to use in interviews is the S-T-A-R method. This refers to situation, task, action, and result. This is a powerful story-telling method in job interviews to quickly relay your experience. Begin by giving context, then explain the task you were assigned, followed by the action you took to achieve the task. Conclude with the results of the action. We will not cover the interview process in much depth in this article, but here you can find some great information from Hire Integrated on how to stand out in a job interview.Â
9. Make your Experience Quantifiable
Numbers, numbers, numbers! Your resume should be filled with data and numbers. Why? These numbers prove that you had a trackable impact on your company. Beyond this, numbers catch the eye and draw people to them in a way that words never could. Did you increase process efficiency by 33%? Did you lead a 9-person team in daily tasks and weekly meetings? How about increasing sales by $30k? These are quickly digestible and get information across in a speedy manner. Find any way to make your past experience quantifiable.Â
10. Enjoy the Process
Make an effort to enjoy the process of applying and interviewing for the position. Many of those who wonder how to stand out in a job application are so worried about standing out that they forget to live in the moment and find joy in it. How you feel about your application and interview will be noticeable to employers when they interact with you. Aside from standing out in your interview, focusing on trying to enjoy the process will help you understand if you really would like to work for that company.Â
11. Follow up
If you want to show that you are really interested in a position, then following up with someone from the company is a great move. Be careful not to come across as pushy or entitled, as it can be easy to fall into these traps when it comes to following up. However, the way that you follow up can really set you apart from others in the job hunt.Â
12. Be Willing to Go the Extra Mile
A principle that can be applied to any suggestion on this list of how to stand out in a job application is being willing to go above and beyond. Employers will both notice and appreciate the extra effort that you put in. Sometimes going the extra mile can be the difference between getting hired and not.Â
Final Thoughts on Standing out in Job Application
Now that you’ve gathered these tips on how to stand out in a job application, it’s time to take action. Take the time needed to specialize your resume, understand the company you are applying for, and prepare fully to get the job that you have always wanted. Follow these 12 steps and you will certainly be well on your way to landing a job that you love.Â
Hire Integrated is full of great tips for your job search and can help you get the job that you have always dreamt of. Begin today!Â
Emily Rushton, Founder and CEO of Hire Integrated, has over a decade of experience in recruitment, helping companies solve high-volume hiring challenges. Her unique, storytelling approach has made her a trusted leader in the industry, helping both businesses and candidates succeed.
