Every year, it feels as if the job hunt gets more and more nuanced as markets saturate, technology evolves and what employers are looking for changes to match. For those reason and more, job seekers by and large know that their chances of landing their dream job starts with gaining the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager among a flood of other applicants.
It is absolutely crucial that a potential new hire stands out in some positive or memorable way, preferably both. Yet, which methods really work? Not every method will work for everyone, as personality type, skills and the company atmosphere all need to be taken into account before applying any outside-of-the-box ideas.
To help you decide which methods may just work for you on the job hunt, 15 members of Forbes Human Resources Council share the most memorable things candidates have done to stand out from the rest during the application process, and how current job seekers can learn from them.
1. Do Your Homework
Candidates who come into the interview prepared and know the background of my company shows me that they are interested and willing to do the work needed. With Google and every company having a website, it is easy to do the homework part and come to interviews prepared. - Nicole Smartt Serres, Star Staffing
2. Just Send A Follow-Up
It has never been easier to follow up on your application, with a phone call or email direct to HR or the hiring manager. Despite this, it is incredibly rare for candidates to do this at the application stage. You can really stand out by sending a personalized message, letting someone know how interested you are. - Karla Reffold, BeecherMadden
3. Make It Personal
Applicants are more than a piece of paper. The best candidates I have come in contact with understand how to make it personal. I have had candidates invite me for coffee or an event they are hosting; it becomes a much more meaningful interaction. We are part of the human race, and if you want to win the race, you need to connect in a meaningful way. - Keith Kefgen, AETHOS Consulting Group
4. Research And Reach Out
Aside from impressive resumes and sleek fonts, some candidates who get noticed in the earliest phases of the application process tend to find a way into my inbox, which could be my actual email or through LinkedIn. They aren't overly pushy or invasive, but they take that extra step to personally introduce themselves, express that they are very interested and just leave a nice closing note. - Angela Nguyen, Ad Exchange Group
5. Don't Make Assumptions
Candidates stand out when they are driven, specific and true to themselves. If they make assumptions and appear to know it all, they are memorable, but not in a good way. Don’t weaponize pre-interview research you’ve done and put someone on the defensive. Be careful about suggesting an onboarding plan prematurely. Be sincerely inquisitive and remember to ask questions. - Stacey Browning, Paycor
6. Be Bold, Go Straight To The Source
Last year we posted a job that received tons of applicants, but one stood out over the rest -- not because of an ATS ranking, but due to boldness. The candidate emailed me their application directly while also asking for an informational interview to learn about our company and its culture. It worked because the candidate was perfect for the role and applied a unique approach to get our attention. - Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, Cantata Health
7. Include Pictures
The HR department "macro" recruits candidates. The applicable department manager will conduct the next interview. If you are applying for a specialized field such as pastry cook, include pictures of your past work with description. The more specific, the easier for HR to communicate to the applicable department why this candidate should go to the next level. - Patricia Sharkey, Sharkey HR
8. Be Old School
The candidates who stand out most are the ones who are not afraid to snail mail an application or thank-you letter. It sounds behind our times, but it requires more effort than sending an email and attaching a resume. Job hunting has become such an efficient process, it makes a candidate prominent when the time they invest in the process is more than just utilizing technology. - Tiffany Jensen, Pure Grips
9. Follow Instructions, Send A Thank-You Note
While following the instructions of the recruiter or hiring manager throughout the application and interview process sounds like a given, it’s amazing how many candidates fail to do so, which indicates a lack of attention to detail. Also, candidates who send a thank-you note after an interview show appreciation for the interviewer’s time and a genuine interest in the position and company. - John Feldmann, Insperity
10. Focus On Contributing To The Company
For applicants who may lack requisite experience for a role, I am always impressed when they go the extra mile to show their positive attitude and aptitude, by reaching out with a personalized cover letter that focuses on what they want to contribute to the specific team and company, rather than how they could benefit their own career from the job. - Heather Doshay
11. Follow The Lead
Candidates who have stood out have used the technique of "following the lead." For example, let's say you read in a business journal that a manager was promoted to an area that you want to work in. Use this to create an introduction and state your interest in learning more about their career path. Doing this consistently builds relationships that will evolve into providing leads for future jobs. - Bridgette Wilder, Wilder HR Management & EEO Consulting
12. Show Your Creativity
Anything out of norm gets people’s attention. Apply to a job but then send a personalized card to the internal recruiter or hiring manager with your resume in it. Everyone likes getting greeting cards and they open them just to see what it is. Put in a cover letter stating you applied. If you really want to work for someone, walk in to their office and drop off breakfast with a resume to the HR manager. - Abhijeet Narvekar, The FerVID Group
13. Share Your Impact
Hiring teams want to know your specific skills and abilities to differentiate yourself from other candidates. No matter how large or small the scope of your job responsibilities, this is your opportunity to show what you have accomplished. Take time to share the results of your work. It can be as simple as: "Organized 10+ events in a six-month period, increasing attendees by 10%." - Betsy Johnson, Cludo
14. Be Obvious
Standing out is all about being really obvious. Candidates are a dime a dozen until they take a moment to explain why they are drawn to the company, in a really specific way. It is more than just doing your homework, it's about conveying a sincere interest in what we are doing and then clearly quantifying your value within that mission. Also, values-aligned behaviors always catch my eye. - Bianca McCann, Trifacta Inc.
15. Don't Make The Process Too Difficult
Having a connected professional network is still your best shot at getting a job. Absent of that, don’t make the process too difficult. Update your resume with appropriate keywords for the job you’re seeking and optimize it for recruiting software. Limit your resume and cover letter to the skills specific to the job. Also, research the company for your cover letter. - Cameron Bishop, SkillPath
