At Journey Recruitment we recognise that the job market is still a tough one. In fact, according to a recent BBC article, unemployment is at a 2 year high. Therefore, we thought we would give you our top tips and suggest 6 ways to stand out in a tough job market.
In a tricky market it is more important than ever that candidates have access to the best advice and support possible to assist them with their job search and this is something that we pride ourselves on.
For those currently navigating the market, here are some ways that candidates are making their applications stand out and securing their dream positions:
6 Ways to Stand Out in a Tough Job Market
1. Strategy – Be strategic about applications! One thing that we frequently hear from candidates is that they have “sent out hundreds of applications” but have “not heard back!” In this market, this ‘go for everything and anything’ approach doesn’t work as well.
Hiring Managers are having to go through hundreds of CVs, so to save yourself time and make yourself stand out, make sure the roles you apply for are right for you. Be honest with yourself about the salary, location and requirements of a role before you make your application so that you can focus on the jobs that are right for you and aligned to your skills and experience. This will save both you, the recruiter and the company time if it was a direct applications. If you have applied for something hundreds of miles away that requires commuting or something that is paying a salary much lower than you are expecting, then realistically you aren’t going to get a call back on roles where you do not align with the requirements.
2. Passion – Now more than ever, you need to show a real passion for the job you are applying for when you interview. In our experience companies do occasionally feedback that the candidates don’t seem ‘enthused’ about a role, and they always tend to select the candidates who come across more passionate about the role, industry or company that they are interviewing for. A true commitment to your specialism and a clear enthusiasm for the organisation will give you the best chance of being selected for a position.
3. Flexibility – Be pragmatic and flexible around interviewing to give yourself the best opportunity to be seen by the employer. With the current market being so tough for job seekers, it is also wise to think about your key drivers when searching for a new role i.e. what is most important to you? Is it salary? Is it hybrid working? Is it sector? Is it progression long term? These drivers differ from person to person and need to be factored in when applying for roles. For instance, we are currently finding that a lot of companies are moving away from offering as many remote/hybrid options, so ensuring you have considered what you might be prepared to compromise on for the right opportunity and your long-term prospects may be a good idea so you have awareness on what you could be flexible with if needed in your job search.
4. Assessments and Presentations – Be prepared for assessments, presentations and case studies to form part of the interview process. We are seeing companies shift towards different ways to assess and measure candidates especially where there are lots of applications for a position. These could be mental agility tests, personality quizzes or presentations on a topic so make sure to put time and effort into these tests to make yourself stand out. Follow the link here for a free mental agility practice test
Also to stand out in this market we have found applications that come with a dedicated cover letter (not AI generated) on why you feel you would be a great fit for the role and how your skills and experience transfer have helped boost the candidate’s overall chances of success. At times (particularly with more senior level roles) we have had candidates provide an additional presentation to support their application that has not been requested. Whilst this is not always necessary it at times can show a company you are really invested and that you are willing to go above and beyond by adding some insights to stand out.
5. Research – Make sure you study the core values of organisations that you are applying to and thoroughly research the company’s competitors and social media pages. Candidates that are well researched will have far more to discuss in the interview and will stand out amongst the crowd. We always recommend checking out a company’s social media page, looking at the interviewers on LinkedIn, familiarising yourself with the industry and competitors and thoroughly reading through their website!If you are unsure on anything then definitely ask your Recruiter for additional support and insight.
6.Speed and Alerts – Sadly, we often find that the first people to apply to a job are the ones who secure the interviews due to high levels of applicants and companies deciding to close applications after receiving a certain number of CVs. Maximise your chances of securing a role by being first past the post as signing up for job alerts from recruiters or job boards.
Finally, the support from a recruiter who knows the market and their clients who can assist you in your job search is invaluable. At Journey Recruitment we are here to guide you through the recruitment process and ensure that you are given all the tools to make your job search successful!
We hoped these 6 ways to stand out in a tough job market will help you succeed. If you are looking to take the next step in your career, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are ready and waiting for you. To check out our new jobs, please do follow the link to our careers page here.
