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How to Stand Out in a Sea of Applicants

Millions of job seekers are filling out application after application in an attempt to find the next step in their career journey. It can be demoralizing to spend hours filling out the same information (work experience, education, references, skills, etc.) and striking out repeatedly. Most of us, including myself, have been there. It’s frustrating and makes you feel defeated. To mitigate the pitfalls that come with job applications, you need to think outside the box. Here are a few things you can do to stand out in a sea of applicants and land the job of you deserve.

Leverage your network

One of the best steps you can take to propel your job search is to leverage your professional network. For some reason, people are afraid to ask for help. It may be a pride thing, but you should never be ashamed to reach out to your network for a helping hand. If you are applying for a job and know someone that works at that company, do not be afraid to ask for them to make an introduction. Send them a quick email, shoot them a text, or pick up the phone and call them. Tell them which job you are applying for and see if they can connect you with the hiring manager. Who knows, they may even be able to give you a solid recommendation!

On the other hand, if you don’t even know where to start your job search, alert your network that you are on the hunt. Write a post on LinkedIn to let your network know you are looking for a new opportunity. You never know what’s out there if you do not make it know that you are looking!

Put in that extra work

If you want to stand out in a sea of applicants, you have to be willing to put in the extra work. Trust us; it will pay off! Tailor your resume for each position instead of submitting the same old resume over and over. Really read the job description and identify the key points the hiring manager desires. Taking a few extra minutes to tweak your resume to fit the position better can make all the difference (and help you get past an applicant tracking system!).

Are you crafting cover letters for your job applications? Sometimes cover letters are required while other times there are optional. And you might be giving yourself a high-five in your mind when you see the word “optional;” but if you really want to land the job, optional is not an option. Cover letters are your opportunity to show some of your personality. Sure, your resume can speak for your education, work experience, and skillsets. But your cover letter is your opportunity to really sell yourself to the hiring manager. It’s your chance to bridge the gap between your qualifications and why you are an excellent fit for the company. So, instead of passing on the cover letter, spend the time to craft one that will make your application rise above the competition!

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