A standout job application is worth a lot in this competitive job market. According to one study, hiring managers spend only 7.4 seconds reviewing job applicants’ resumes. So, you should be able to make an impression quickly. When recruiters are sifting through dozens or even hundreds of job applications, nothing beats a little personality to catch their eye. We aren’t talking about bold formatting or snarky comments. Instead, we’re referring to what sets you apart from the hundreds of other qualified candidates.

So, what can you do to distinguish your job application from the crowd? In the job application process, there are some good and bad moves. So, you should take some steps to ensure success and elevate yourself above the other candidates. Follow our tips to improve your job application and increase your chances of getting an interview.

Tailor Your Cover Letter

Recruiters continue to receive many generic CVs and cover letters that don’t highlight the needed skills. Sending the same cover letter to multiple job openings will never get you an interview. A hiring manager can quickly identify these applications, which often means they’ll put them to the bottom of their stack. Writing a tailored cover letter is the most time-consuming and, consequently, the most ignored tip. However, to ensure you’re noticed, you must customize your application to the specific job you are applying for.

You can always use a cover letter template to make the process easier. We know there’s no right way to write a CV or a cover letter, but a template is a fantastic jumping-off point for writing your own. It could mean the difference between getting a new job and not. Customize your cover letter to the role you’re applying for to stand out and demonstrate that you’ve done your homework by researching the company and the position. 

Make Your Job Application Easily Readable

Usually, the hiring manager will glance at your application before being put forward or rejected. So, making it easy to scan is critical—the more information you can convey at that glance, the better. Use bulleted lists and subheadings sparingly. In addition, make use of short paragraphs and sentences to look more put together. 

With that much competition, applications laid out with the proper paragraph breaks and font are more likely to be noticed. On the other hand, cover letters and CVs with large blocks of text, difficult-to-read fonts, and sloppy formatting might get ignored. So, use the words the recruiter is looking for – the ones in the job description. Don’t try to sound too long-winded; it’ll just be a waste of someone else’s hectic schedule.

Highlight the Relevant Traits 

Applying for jobs isn’t the time to practice your humility, but to show off your abilities. Including your basic and preferred qualifications in your cover letter or resume can significantly increase your chances of landing the job. The job description will include some of the needed skills. And you can find others in your prospective employer’s values or mission statement. 

In addition, you can examine best practices and industry trends as well. Including the necessary qualifications and skills can ensure you’re considered for the job, so make sure you express your capabilities.

And remember that hiring managers want someone who can deliver results and get the job done. So, demonstrate who you are using statistics or action words to show the results you can achieve with your skills and what you possess that will benefit the organization.

Develop a Strong Online Presence

An excellent resume and a unique cover letter aren’t enough. In many cases, you’ll need more space to share all your experience and skills, or the format will be insufficient to show all your qualities. So, you can help your job application stand out by creating an eye-catching online presence to supplement your resume and cover letter. You need to put yourself out there on the internet. If you have an online portfolio or a blog, include the URL in the application.

Of course, you need to create an impressive LinkedIn profile. This allows you to provide more information for you as references and other skills you find relevant for the job. Also, remember to reiterate all of your employment history, skills, and education from your CV. After you are done, browse your name to see how it looks.

Wrapping Up 

Your prospective employer will have many applications to sort through, and you want yours to be in the “yes” pile. If it seems that you didn’t put in the effort for the job application, they may think that you won’t put in the effort for your work. So, follow our tips and create a standout application.