How to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market
It’s no secret that the job market is competitive. But even when competition is tight, there are still strategic ways you can stand out. It’s not about doing everything; it’s about doing the right things well, showing your value, and staying confident in what you bring to the table. Here are a few tips for standing out:
Make Your Resume About Results
If your resume reads like a job description, it’s time for a rewrite. Hiring managers want to know what you’ve accomplished, not just what you were responsible for.
- Focus on impact: “Managed onboarding” becomes “Improved onboarding efficiency by 30% by introducing a new process.”
- Highlight measurable results when possible.
- Reflect the job description’s keywords, naturally.
Tip: Resume scanners or keyword tools can help you double-check alignment, but make sure it still sounds like you.
Customize Everything
Yes, you should be tailoring your resume and cover letter for every job you apply to. And no, it doesn’t have to be difficult or take forever.
Pull language directly from the job posting—especially the skills and qualities they repeat—and reflect it in your experience and summary.
Tip: If you’re stuck, a writing assistant tool can help you brainstorm phrasing or give you a general idea of what to include. But, you should always revise and personalize before submitting.
Build a Presence on LinkedIn
You don’t need to be a “thought leader” or even someone who posts every day. Just show that you’re engaged and your expertise here and there.
- Update your headline and summary to reflect what you do and what you’re looking for.
- Comment on posts in your industry.
- Share a quick thought or helpful article once in a while.
Put Together a Simple Portfolio
Even if you’re not a designer, a portfolio can still go a long way. A short slide deck or Notion page with a few project highlights, visuals, and outcomes will help add depth to your application.
Tip: Don’t focus as much on how fancy you can make it, but instead, focus on making it clear and concise.
Show, Don’t Tell
Hiring managers hear “strong communicator” or “team player” constantly. A great way to stand out is by backing it up with a real-life example.
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in interviews to tell concise stories about how you work and solve problems.
Tip: If you’re prepping for interviews, try jotting down a few of your best examples ahead of time. This way you can have them in your back pocket and ready to go.
Practice for Virtual Interviews
Whether it’s Zoom, Teams, or another platform, virtual interviews differ from in-person ones. Ensure your setup is clean and quiet, that your lighting is working, and that you maintain eye contact with the camera, not the screen while speaking.
Tip: You don’t have to be perfect—just comfortable and prepared.
Track Your Wins
Keep a running document of projects you’ve completed, challenges you’ve overcome, or positive feedback you’ve received. Not only will this help when updating your resume, but it will also provide you with quick reference points when answering interview questions.
Final Thought
Standing out doesn’t mean being louder; it means showing up in more strategic ways. Focus on how you can solve problems, support a team, and make a measurable difference.