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TLS_How to Make your Job Application Standout

How to Make your Job Application Standout

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the job market has been severe. Many people lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic; therefore, adding to the increasing unemployment rate in the country. The increasing need for economic stability means that employers will be flooded with job applications. Despite the high unemployment rate, there are numerous employment opportunities. Therefore, if you take the time to polish your job search skills, you can standout from the others.

1. Build up your virtual presence

The internet has become a crucial tool for professionals, particularly when it comes to networking, staying abreast with recent happenings and finding your dream job. The internet, particularly social media, has allowed professionals to network without boundaries. It’s a great medium to showcase skills and creative capabilities. 

Instagram and Tiktok have been truly beneficial mediums for young talents to showcase themselves. Several talents have been identified through social media; particularly those in the creative industry. However, building a virtual presence isn’t just for those in the creative industry, it has become the norm for HR professionals to rely on social media to get a better feel of who their candidates are. They turn to social media profiles, looking for evidence of the candidate’s work online. 

Therefore, you must create a digital portfolio where you can put samples of your work, as well as additional background. This opens you to numerous possibilities; it showcases what you do and who you are. Likewise, polish your LinkedIn profile, make sure it reflects your skills and your most recent accomplishments. Hence, you must regularly update your LinkedIn profile; make a crucial connection and be clear about your interest.  

2. Highlights your transferable skills

Transferable skills are those that you develop as you progress through employment, education or training. Transferable skills do not belong to a particular job role or industry. These skills are highly valued by employers. Therefore, you must highlight your transferable skills in your CV or on your LinkedIn profile. Employers are keen on knowing how the skills you’ve developed in your previous roles can be applied to new opportunities. 

3. Get Past ATS

Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to store and sort CV/résumés. Make sure your CV/résumé is ATS friendly. Ensure to use keywords in the job description on your CV/résumé. However, if you intend to move into a new industry, ensure you also focus on the transferrable skills you’ve identified and use keywords that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

4. Utilize the STAR technique

The STAR method helps you explain in a simple yet powerful way how you handled specific work situations and challenges. This technique ensures you keep your answers concise and informative. When utilizing the STAR technique, use these points to help you standout:

  • Situation (your job)
  • Tasks (what you needed to do)
  • Actions (how you did it)
  • Results (how it turned out)

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