In a saturated jobs market, the one thing candidates need to do is to stand out from the crowd and show future employees their potential- and more.
Why you need to stand out
When you’re applying for your perfect job, you want to be remembered for all the right reasons. You want your interviewer to see you as a valuable asset to their business- a must-have member of the team, right from the moment they read your application. And as there’s likely to be other, high quality candidates applying alongside you, standing out from the crowd is not only a good idea, it’s essential.
So how do you make sure that your application makes it to the top of the pile, and that the impression you make in interview is good enough to get you the job? Read our tips to find out.
Review and update your CV
Your first chance at a good impression starts with your CV, so make sure it’s not only well designed and professional, but up to date too.
You need your CV to make an impact so that you’re standing out straight away. Make this document really count.
It needs to be:
- Easy to read- short, snappy sentences, with a standard font at standard size.
- Well structured- order your employment and educational history chronologically, with clear headings for each separate section.
- Tailored to the job you’re applying to- list all relevant experience, including hobbies and voluntary positions you’ve held. This also works wonders in giving employers a more rounded perspective of you as a person, and will give you another topic of conversation during interview too.
- Free from spelling errors and grammatical mistakes- you want to make a good first impression, so use a spell check if you need to, and asked a trusted friend to read it over before you send it.
The aim is for a CV that is current, concise and uncomplicated. Make sure that when employers read it, they want to interview you!
Do your research
As soon as your CV is in the hands of your potential new employer, it’s time to get researching. The aim is to know as much as you can about the job you’re applying for, the company you want to work for and the industry as a whole.
Researching all of the above is a great way to not only show your interviewer that you’re serious about the new position, but it will help you to better understand the role yourself. All of this puts you in a great position when you come to the interview stage.
You can research by:
- Searching on Linked In- find your interviewer and other members of the team, and research things you may have in common.
- Set up an industry news alert- this will help you stay up to date with what’s happening with the industry as a whole.
- Research the job role- and take notes on the things you want to discuss further, or the skills you already have that you can highlight, showing why you’re the best person for the job.
- Research the company’s website- look for their blog, recent news articles they’ve shared, or research they’ve been involved with. This all helps to build a better picture ahead of interview.
Sell yourself
You know you’re the best person for the job, but do they? Now is the time to build your brand and really sell yourself.
- Update your Linked In profile- make sure you list all your achievements and make it clear that you’re the best candidate anyone will interview.
- Watch your body language during interview- try to rise above interview nerves ( although being nervous is totally normal!) and maintain eye contact. Try to appear confident, calm and knowledgable.
- Show curiosity and interest- let them know you’ve done your research. Show them how much you know about the job, the company and the industry- by asking questions and sharing industry knowledge you already have. Let them see them how and why you’re the best person for the job.
- Let them see your value- your interviewer needs to know that you will bring value to the team, that you have the skills to succeed and will be an asset to the team. Talk about your qualifications and achievements, but also about the personal qualities you have that make you stand out.
- Be yourself- don’t try to imitate others, or to mould yourself into something you cannot keep up. Be confident in who you are.
- Leave a lasting impression- make sure they remember you, and for all the right reasons. Once the interview is over, head to Linked In to thank your interviewer for meeting with you, or ask your recruiter to pass on your thanks if you’re working with one.
At the end of the day, how you come across to your interviewer is crucial, and it’s up to you to make sure they see what you can offer. So follow our tips- be prepared, be confident and be ready to sell yourself.