5 Ways To Make Your Job Application Stand Out

One of the worst parts of joining the working world starts before you even get hired: the job application process. Not to put a downer on things, but for every job you’re applying for, there’s hundreds of other college grads that have equal, if not higher, qualifications than you. So how are you going to make yourself stand out? I’m clearly no professional career counselor, but I’ve rounded up some tips I’ve picked up from career development courses and multiple rounds of applications that I’ve been through.

1. Add Numbers

Your resume is your space to brag and show off all your achievements. There’s only a few ways to describe the responsibilities of an internship or entry-level job. The ability to quantify your success is what will make you stand out.

*Instead of saying, “increased brand’s online engagement” try “increased brand’s follower count by 100 in 3 months”*

2. Tell A Story

Take a look at your resume and past cover letters right now. Do they reflect the kind of jobs you’ve been applying for? For some jobs, the format of your documents might not matter, but for others, your resume and cover letter can be another space for you to showcase your talents. If you’re going into a creative field, your documents should reflect your eye for design.

*Instead of formatting your documents in a black and white list, trying using templates for a visually appealing, yet professional look. Canva is great for this.*

3. Show Your Personality

If someone were to pick your cover letter out of a huge stack of papers, would they be able to tell that it’s yours? Or would it sound just like everyone else’s? Although a cover letter isn’t the place for you to write a personal narrative, it’s not necessarily a bad idea to add one line that makes you sound like a real person and not a job application robot. If you have an honest passion for the company, mention it! It will make you stand out from other applicants who may have no idea who they’re applying to.

*Do you use this brand’s products? Do you follow them on social media? Do you appreciate one of their unique qualities? Do you have a short anecdote about your past with this brand?*

4. Highlight Your Connections

Don’t be afraid to suck up a tiny bit in your cover letter if you know someone that works at the company. As long as you don’t make it sound like your connection should grant you an automatic hire, it’s probably a good idea to let whoever’s reading your application know that someone they work with already knows you. This is a great way to get your application to the top of the pile.

*Don’t emphasize your connection too much or it might come across the wrong way! Just a quick “[insert name of current employee] referred me to this listing” goes a long way.*

5. Include As Much Info As Possible

One way to add as much information about yourself without going over the one page limit is with links. A link to your online portfolio can go in the header of your resume and cover letter without taking up too much space. Just make sure your links go directly to whatever you want to show off and you’re not making anyone have to work harder to find your information.

*Instead of writing, “view portfolio here”, include a short link, like tiny url. In the case that your resume gets printed out and handed to someone, you want them to be able to follow your links.*

As important as it is to make your application stand out, it’s even more important to make sure you do so professionally and gracefully. These tips should strengthen your application, not make them feel too casual or inappropriately personal. If you’re 100% confident that you’re coming across as a strong, young professional with a hint of personality and flair, you’re good to go!