Six tips to help you stand out from the job-seeking crowd
While I was doing some research for the regular labour market update that we send to our employers, I came across a stat showing that the number of job ads is dropping, but the number of applications per ad is increasing. In fact, the number of applications was up 11% month on month according to the latest figures, with many of those coming from overseas.
That means for every job you apply for currently, there could be tens, or even hundreds of other people applying too. That might make it feel like your job hunt is futile, but what you need to remember is that many of those applicants might not be suitable for the role or not as suitable as you! What you need to do is make sure your application is standing out from the crowd of those hundreds of other jobseekers. And the good news is, that with a little bit of time and attention to detail, that’s totally achievable.
So here are some tips for making sure your application stand out.
Six tips to stand out from the job seeking crowd
#1 Emphasise how you fit with the organisation as much as your skills
This one is particularly important in the for-purpose and impact world. Most organisations in this sector are looking for applicants who not only have the relevant skills but also align with their values and have a real passion for the work they will be doing or the cause they will be supporting. When you are applying for roles, make sure that your passion shines through.
#2 Get the cover letter spot on
Your CV does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to your skills and experience, but your cover letter gives you the chance to tell your story and highlight your passion. It’s also your first chance to get the recruiter’s attention and when they are wading through hundreds of applications, it needs to be a quick hit. If you are applying to a few roles, it can be tempting to create a template cover letter to speed things up, but that won’t help you stand out. Tailor your cover letter to each role and include relevant experiences and stories. If you have lived experiences - perhaps you are a more mature candidate with lots of experience, or maybe you come from a cultural background that would enable you to connect with the organisation, then the cover letter is a great place to highlight these benefits. Want some more help with your cover letter? Check out our Cover Letter resource.
#3 Nail down specifics
It’s easy to add a bunch of words like “professional”, “team player”, and “committed to the cause” to your cover letter. But everyone does that. Stand out from the crowd by getting specific about your achievements. If you have concrete figures or examples to back up your skills and experience, it helps to set you apart from people applying with vague statements. For example, show how you raised funds for a charity or increased donor numbers, or illustrate how you increased social media reach for an organisation.
#4 Be proactive about any potential challenges
It can be tempting to hide any potential challenges you might bring as an employee, especially if you think you are competing against lots of other candidates. But it is often better to raise and challenges early on - either in your application or during the interview - and bring some ideas to the table on how to tackle them or show that it won’t be an issue. One of the great things about the for-purpose sector is that organisations understand the value of a good work culture and can often be flexible in helping you work through challenges.
#5 Make sure all your online profiles are up to date and look good
These days, your employment history and professional profiles probably show up in plenty of different places. Don’t assume that just because you’ve sent a CV, the employer won’t look at your other profiles, too. If you have a LinkedIn profile, a listing on a professional directory or your CV is hosted on a job board like Do Good Jobs, make sure they are all consistent. They don’t all need to be the same word for word but do make sure the basic things like job titles and dates match. And if you have a LinkedIn profile, then make sure it’s decent. If it isn’t, then our tips for taking your LinkedIn profile to the next level might help.
#6 Get the basics right
Sounds simple but you’d be surprised how many people don’t follow instructions or get the basics right. Job listed on a job board, but the application needs to be made via email? Send an email. Advert says, please include a cover letter? The advertiser hasn’t just written that for fun, it means they want to know more about you, so make sure to include one. Likewise, simple errors in spelling and grammar can drag your application down and are easily fixed.
Bonus tip - If you aren’t sure if you would really be a good fit for the role - maybe you don’t quite tick all the boxes or would need to brush up on a skill - or something about the role doesn’t quite work for you and you’d like to know if there’s any flexibility - for example, whether it could be remote or whether the hours are flexible, then consider asking the recruiter first. Most people in the for-purpose and impact sector are pretty friendly, so there’s no harm in sending a polite email sounding out the organisation. It saves you spending time on an application that might not make it and saves them time in the recruitment process too. If you don’t get a response to your initial question, then you can choose whether to apply anyway, and, if it turns out you aren’t the right fit for that role, you might still have made a valuable connection for the future.
Ready to level up your job applications? Our jobs board has plenty of roles just waiting for the right applicant.
