Submitting your application and resume online can sometimes feel like trying to be seen in a crowd of a thousand people. With hiring becoming increasingly online, it can be hard to add a personal touch and show who you are. How do you stand out in the crowd?
Reach out.
This may sound simple, but it could be something that sets you just above another candidate. If you can find the recruiter/hiring manager’s contact info, give them a quick call (or an email) and mention that you applied and you look forward to hearing from them.
Make sure to leave your contact information and name. Tell them they can reach out whenever they want with any questions they have.
Send a clean resume.
Your resume needs to pass a “quick scan” test. If they can’t easily see the titles of the last few positions you had by looking at your resume for less than 10 seconds, it is time to reformat. Keep things short and to the point. Make sure job titles stand out.
Be sure to include the amount of time spent at each job and the company name. Keep your descriptions short and results quantifiable when possible. Check out our clean resume tips here.
Bonus tip: if you have an updated and professional headshot, include this in your resume. Candidates are doing this with greater frequency now, and it helps recruiters put a face to a name!
Ask what you could do to stand out.
This may feel vulnerable and somewhat counterintuitive, but if you really want a job, ask the recruiter what you can do to stand out. They may not have an immediate answer, but here are a few things they could ask for:
– A reference
– Certifications
– A case study
You could even ask if they would like you to provide any of these things. Even something like a visit to a job site could help put you a step above the rest.
Follow up.
It never hurts to follow up after the initial interview or introductory call. Thank them for their time and ask if there is anything else you could provide that would be helpful through the hiring/interview process. Reiterate to them that you are interested in the role and that you will be looking forward to the next steps.
These simple steps could be one of the things that make you stand out among other applicants. Don’t be afraid to reach out!
If you are still searching for that perfect role, check out what our JSG recruiters are hiring for at careers.jsginc.com.
