5 Easy Ways to make your Job Application stand out

The system is far from perfect...

Generally speaking there’s a lot to criticise about the hiring process.

Many recruiters and employers treat candidates pretty badly, but some job seekers don’t exactly go out of their way to stand out.

How to stand out from the crowd

So rather than just applying with the minimum effort, consider how to make your application stand out in a sea of mediocrity…

If possible, call and make a connection with the recruiter or hiring manager before applying - virtually no one does this and people who do call always get “extra points” from me...
Have a comprehensive and up to date resume that contains relevant information - I understand that updating resumes can be a pain, but it is part of the process to provide a current CV so avoiding the job seems pointless. Also, once it’s done it’s done! Remember to update the CV you have saved on any job boards like Seek.
Write a cover letter that relates to the criteria (or underlying sentiment) stated in the job listing - nothing sends an application to the bin quicker than a generic cover letter addressed to the “wrong” job. If you can’t make the effort to get the cover letter right, then don’t include one.
Be contactable and responsive when employers or recruiters reach out to you - I don’t understand why people apply for jobs and then go silent when you try to contact them to arrange an interview. If you change your mind on pursuing a particular job, be a grown up and say so.
Be prepared and not distracted during phone and face-to-face interviews - by definition, phone screen calls are pretty important, this is your only chance to make a good first impression. So please don’t try to do these calls in the car on your way home from work. Despite the wonders of technology, bluetooth and hands-free is not always that great and how focused are you on the phone call when your driving? I appreciate that fitting in these calls with your current schedule may be difficult, but most recruiters and hiring managers will accommodate a reasonable request for an after hours time slot; just ask!