When it comes to applying for any job, it’s not just your resume that you want to stand out in a crowd; it’s pretty much any piece of information you hand over to a recruiter.

You’ll want to make your resume, application, and interview stand out from other candidates. Find out how to make all three stand out before applying for your next job.

How to make my resume stand out

Making your resume stand out isn’t an easy feat.

Most applicants will include similar information on their resumes (companies are just looking for AI keywords at first anyway, right?), and spinning that info to help you stand out can be tricky.

If you want your resume to rise to the top of the pile, be sure to add transferable and soft skills to those industry AI keywords.

Don’t forget soft skills

Soft skills are just as important as technical skills in 2022. The future of work has changed tremendously over the past few years, and recruiters aren’t looking for the same skills they once were.

Yes, it’s important to show recruiters that you have the technical ability to do your job. But all those skills can be taught on the job these days. What could set you apart from the crowd are the skills that are harder to come by.

Enter: soft skills. 

These are skills, such as communication, interpersonal, time management, and empathy skills.

It’s not only what you do these days that matters, it’s how to do it.

Check industry AI keywords

Before your resume makes its way to recruiters, there’s a threshold guardian it needs to get past: artificial intelligence.

Pretty much every major corporation uses AI to weed out applicants who might not make the cut. And if you don’t have some important buzz words included on your resume? You might end up in the “reject” pile before anyone even lays eyes on your resume.

When it comes to keywords, you’ll want to focus on hard skills, such as software and tools you use to do your job, positions you’ve held, and other quantifiable skills. Compare your keywords to the job description you’re replying to.

Yes, everyone knows about adding keywords to resumes these days. But you can’t make your resume stand out if you don’t do the bare minimum to get it in the door.

Include transferable skills

If you don’t have all the skills you need to make your resume stand out, include transferable skills.

These are skills that can be transferred between positions (even positions in different industries).

How to make my application stand out

If you’ve got your resume past the threshold guardians in HR, congratulations! You made it through the first round. But now it’s time to make your application stand out, too.

These tips will help you make your application stand out.

Show don’t tell

Just as with your resume, it’s important to show how you’ve grown in your past positions — and that you have the capacity for growth if hired.

Create a video application

It’s becoming more and more common for companies to ask recruits for a video application.

The video application is a precursor to the interview. Not only do you get a chance to state your intent and to show potential employers your enthusiasm, but you can do so using your own voice (and without worrying if your voice is shining through on paper).

If you have the opportunity to create a video application, give it a shot!

This can be especially beneficial if you get “interview shy” or are an introvert. Companies may even allow you to skip interviews, as a video application may replace one or several rounds of the formal interview process.

Tell ‘em you want it

The Great Resignation has employees resigning in troves.

These days, companies don’t want to hire just anybody. They want to hire someone that wants the job and someone that will stick around during the tough times. In short, they don’t want to hire you today, only for you to resign tomorrow (or in a year from now).

The Great Resignation has given workers more power to decide what they want to do.

If you’re thinking about making a move, now is the time to do so. Just make sure that it’s what you want. Because companies want to hire employees that know what they want.

If you want a position, tell ‘em you want it. Better yet, tell them why you want it.

How to stand out in an interview

Standing out in an interview isn’t as hard as making your resume stand out. 

In fact, if you’ve made it to the interview process, it generally means that the recruiters (at the very least) like you and are considering you for a position. But if you want to stand out, you should consider tailoring your career brand before the interview and showing your potential employer that you’re ready to embrace company culture. 

Tailor your career brand

You’re probably somewhat familiar with your digital footprint. You know, everything you do and say online can be found by a potential employer.

But what about your personal career branding? What does your online brand say about who you’ll be as an employee?

Embrace company culture

Companies are concerned now more than ever about company culture — or rather the potential loss of it.

Brands have spent years (if not decades) honing company culture to ensure everyone (from employees to clients) understands what each company stands for. And now that we’re entering an era of hybrid work environments and work-from-home lifestyles, many companies are starting to see that culture slipping away.

While you don’t need to kiss the idea of working remotely goodbye (in fact, you should leverage for it!), you may need to show a potential employer that you “get” what their company culture is all about — and that you’re willing to embrace it.

Want more help standing out on a resume, application, or in an interview? We’ve got you covered! Join Rise to get help with standing out and connecting with the right opportunities.