5 Ways To Stand Out in a Sea of Job Applicants
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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With so many candidates duking it out for every job post, standing out isn’t just a good thing — it’s incredibly necessary, especially if you are looking to make good money. GOBankingRates got the inside scoop on how to get noticed in a sea of job applicants from Natalia Shahmetova, CEO of Woofz. She recently sorted through over 2,000 applications for a single position — here’s her takeaways on how to make a good impression against other applicants.
Look Beyond the Job Description
“Try to dig deeper,” Shahmetova said. “Look up the hiring manager’s LinkedIn profile or the team’s most recent initiatives and pain points. Then, tailor your CV to target these difficulties specifically.” She explained that sometimes you need to also understand the company’s customers — not just the company itself.
Make Your Side Hustle Count
Skip the generic skills list. Instead, Shahmetova suggested highlighting relevant side projects that connect to the role. “If you’re applying to Woofz, highlighting programming skills might not do much, but showing off photography skills or your knack for negotiation could be a game-changer,” she explained.
Tell Stories That Show Growth
Don’t just list achievements — show how you’ve evolved. “Include a ‘What I Would Do Differently Now’ section,” Shahmetova said. This approach “shows that you are always evolving, learning and contemplating how to improve rather than relying just on previous triumphs,” she added.
Constructively Challenge Them
If you really want to be bold, then find a problem and solve it. Shahmetova suggested finding “a polite way to criticize a component of the company’s existing strategy and propose a solution.” Of course, this requires you to be diplomatic about it and focused on the solution, rather than just criticism.
Outsmart the Robots
With most companies using applicant tracking systems (ATS), Shahmetova advised going “beyond simply ‘optimizing keywords.'” She suggested including “a ‘Key Competencies’ section on your resume that describes your talents and how they relate to wider industry trends or future issues.”
The competition is fierce — Google searches for “how to write a good cover letter” have jumped 791% — but these strategies can help you break through the noise. “You don’t need dazzling tricks,” Shahmetova explained. “You just need techniques that prove you think differently.”
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