How to Stand Out in a Crowded Jobs Market

 With the government furlough scheme winding down, the sad reality is that there are going to be a lot of new candidates on the jobs market. This means that looking for work just got harder. Up until March, candidate was king, and you had plenty of options. Now, we are likely to see a repeat of the 2008 recession with hundreds of candidates applying for the same job. And, as a candidate, the last thing you want to hear when you’re going for a job is that the market is saturated with equally good prospects. It’s probably not ideal to think that there are several candidates who are just as impressive or equally well-qualified presenting themselves for the same role that you’re applying for. It’s incredibly important to establish yourself as a desirable candidate to potential employers. Your CV and job interview skills should combine to make you a lucrative prospect in the market. So, how can you, as a job seeker, help to do this? Market yourself properly On our blog, we often speak about personal branding. This is a major factor in standing out from the crowd. Ensure that your LinkedIn is up-to-date and that you are actively engaging with market relevant content and insights. It’s important to market yourself as someone who is interested in and passionate about their career – in person, online and on paper. You should be able to show how you can add value to an organisation. Tailor your information Editing your CV and cover letter to make them specific to the job at hand should go without saying. Take the time to ensure that everything you have to say is important to the person reading your details. You should also attempt to answer any job interview questions with market-specific information that will be relevant to the company. Convey fit as well as skills As well as demonstrating your array of skills and expertise, you should also demonstrate how much of a ‘natural fit’ you are for the company. For instance, if your recruiter advises you that the company are sociable and friendly, try and think of ways you can convey this in the interview or, if appropriate, offer up specific examples. Engage with your recruiter Your recruiter will have the best insight as to what to expect at your job interviews. They will have a well-established relationship with your prospective employer so don’t be afraid to ask questions to help you prepare. As the old saying goes, forewarned is fore-armed, so give yourself the best chance possible by asking your recruiter as many relevant questions as you need. Ask bold questions Make a list of important and insightful questions for your job interview. If you’ve researched the company through their online presence and your recruiter’s knowledge, condense this into some valuable questions that you can ask at interview. Stand out from the usual melee of bland questions by asking things like: “What makes people want to work here?” Check out our Covid-related interview questions here. All of our teams are here to support your job search – no matter what stage of your career you’re at. Click here to see the markets we cover and to get in touch with our recruiters or read up on more career advice on our blog.