In today’s job market, it can be hard to stand out – even for the most qualified candidates. Hiring has slightly slowed over the last few years and AI is contributing to an influx of applications. Recruiters are now sifting through an average of 242 resumes for any given role, translating to roughly a 0.4% chance for an individual to land the job. Whether you’re looking to make a move, angling for the next step in your career or even just starting out, making an impression in today’s market requires a thoughtful and strategic approach to advance through the initial stages of the recruiting process.
Tailor your resume to each role.
Especially in the age of AI, a generic resume that isn’t focused on the specific requirements and needs of a role is likely to get overlooked. Adjust your resume for each position you’re applying to, while also ensuring its content, format and structure are easy to understand and scan:
- Quantify your impact, rather than only listing responsibilities. As much as you can, highlight your accomplishments in a way that translates to future success for the specific role you’re seeking.
- Use keywords that are relevant to the position and/or in the job posting to assist in moving through any initial screenings.
- Keep it concise and professional. When possible, submit your resume as a PDF file so the formatting stays intact.
- Proofread closely to avoid any errors. Misspellings and misused words reflect a lack of attention to detail and may hinder you from advancing through the process.
- Be authentic. As AI writing tools become more common, it’s easy for resumes to begin sounding homogenous.
Treat LinkedIn as a career asset.
Having a professional and accessible presence on LinkedIn matters – especially in your job search. If a recruiter or hiring manager is interested in moving forward in the process, it’s likely their next step is to view your LinkedIn profile to gain a multidimensional understanding of who you are and how you interact within the professional landscape. Ensure you’re projecting the impression you want to make:
- Keep images and posts professional, saving more personal content for other social platforms.
- Highlight the progress you’ve made within your career, including promotions, awards, projects you’re proud of, professional designations, degrees and continuing education courses. Post on a regular basis and engage with your company, peers and the industry.
- Be positive in all interactions, encouraging those in your network with thoughtful comments when they celebrate milestones or post updates.
Leverage your network.
Whether it’s through LinkedIn or other networking opportunities, your connections can help you learn more about a role and potentially even get your name in front of the right people.
- If you’re not working through a recruiter and a contact’s name appears on a job listing, consider sending a personal LinkedIn message or email expressing your interest, ensuring your resume was received or asking a clarifying question about the role.
- Ask your current connections for introductions to employees at the companies you’re interested in. You never know what doors this may open.
- If you have a personal connection at the company, ask what they can tell you about the role or the team you’re looking to join. This could also lead to an introduction or recommendation that helps you become more than a name.
Show enthusiasm.
Putting in the time to do your research and build connections helps demonstrate you’re excited about a role and committed to the interview process. Whether you are submitting your initial application or preparing for an interview, be curious and genuine in your interactions.
- Research the company, the role, and even the hiring manager and other key team members to provide yourself with background, so you’re not going into the interview blind.
- Dive into the organization’s website, social media pages and news releases to give yourself additional context for conversations. Tie comments back to current events and activities when appropriate.
- Respond promptly and communicate clearly in all correspondence; this reflects your communication style and what it would be like to work with you if offered the role.
- In your follow-up communication, be upfront about your level of interest and why you’re drawn to the role. Aim for a natural and professional tone, while making it concise and personalized.
In a market where AI makes applying to a job easier than ever, the candidates who stand out are those who take a personal and human approach. By tailoring your resume to each role, doing your homework, leveraging your resources, and being genuine and responsive at all touchpoints, you’ll be best positioned to set yourself apart from the competition.