How to Stand Out as a Candidate in Today's Job market

There is no way around it, today’s job market is highly competitive and you will need to stand out as a candidate if you want to be considered for a position within a reputable company. In this blog, we will be discussing how you can stand out in your next job application, let’s take a look.

Edit Your CV

First things first, the CV you wrote out hastily in 2010 just isn’t going to cut it in today’s market. Start by removing any ‘fluff’ or any decades old previous jobs unless they are completely relevant to the job you are applying for. Always adjust and edit your CV to fit the company in which you are applying for; Going the extra mile with your CV will make it stand out. Here’s an interesting blog we published earlier this year about striking the balance between AI and authenticity when it comes to CV writing.

Always Research

Always, always, always research the hiring company thoroughly before you apply for the role or go for interview. This benefits you in two ways: Helping you to avoid the awkward silence at interview stage when they ask company specific questions and also allows you to gain a deeper understanding of how the company operates before you apply/interview for the job. It could turn out you aren’t the right fit for them, but on the flip side, they might not be the right fit for you.

Consider Previous Skills

Always consider any previous skills you have gained in the past and have a think about how they can be applied to the job you are interested in. This might not always be immediately obvious but what it will do is make you really rethink how you can apply your own unique set of skills to a brand new role and another benefit is that potential employers will be impressed by this.

Prepare for Interviews

Preparation could mean the difference between disappointment or success and a large portion of which way that goes is up to you. It’s cliché for a reason but always research the hiring company and practise common interview questions until to you feel confident in your delivery, feel free to check out our previous blog on common interview questions here.

Don’t Give Up

Whatever happens on your employment journey, it’s so important that you don’t give up. Always prepare well, be confident in your abilities and suitability for the role and take the rough with the smooth, your dream job could be just around the corner. Check out our latest list of vacancies here and if you need some more support with job preparation, please contact our team today.

< Older Post Newer Post >

BLOG

LinkedIn Poll Results - January 2025

by Simon Clark • 17 January 2025

As we step into 2025, it's crucial for professionals and businesses to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. Our first LinkedIn poll of the year asked industry leaders and professionals to identify what they believe will be the biggest challenge facing their industry this year. The responses shed light on the diverse obstacles different sectors anticipate as we navigate through 2025. The poll results revealed a clear concern, with 'Skilled Labour Shortage' leading as the predominant challenge, cited by 40% of respondents. This highlights an acute issue across industries: the struggle to find adequately skilled professionals. This shortage can hinder growth and innovation, emphasising the need for enhanced recruitment strategies and perhaps a greater focus on training and education within companies. Both 'Regulatory Changes' and 'Technological Advancements' were each seen as the biggest challenge by 20% of participants. These results indicate a landscape of rapid change, where staying compliant with new regulations and keeping pace with technological evolution are critical for maintaining competitive edges. Similarly, 'Economic Fluctuations' were also viewed by 20% as a significant challenge, reflecting concerns over market stability and the broader economic environment that can impact business operations and profitability. These insights are crucial as they highlight the multifaceted challenges industries face in 2025. For businesses, understanding these potential hurdles is the first step toward mitigating their impacts. It suggests a need for a proactive approach in workforce development, regulatory compliance, technology adoption, and economic resilience. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about the results from this month’s poll or maybe looking to recruit and expand your team in 2025, click here to get in touch.

Employers - What are the Top Red Flags on a CV?

by Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • 2 January 2025

When reviewing CV’s, employers often encounter common red flags that can indicate potential issues with a candidate. Whilst no single red flag should automatically disqualify a job seeker, it’s important to pay attention to red flag patterns that could be a concern for you moving forwards. Here is a look at some of the most common red flags employers should watch out for when reviewing a CV. Unexplained Gaps in Employment Gaps in a candidate’s employment history can be a natural part of a career journey but if those gaps can’t be explained, that could cause a recruiter to look at the application more closely. Most gaps can be explained if the candidate has taken a career break to move into further education, travel or raise a family but it’s wise to ask for context from the potential employee for significant periods of inactivity. Frequent Job Changes Moving from job to job quickly can sometimes reflect ambition and a desire for new opportunities but too many job changes in a short space of time could also portray that the candidate shows instability or lack of commitment to their career and could be someone who isn’t going to stick around to grow within the company. Typos and Errors A CV is a candidate’s opportunity to create an excellent first impression and a CV full of spelling and grammatical errors can create doubt about their attention to detail. If a candidate can’t take the time to proofread their CV, it could be a sign that they might not put in much effort to their job responsibilities. Overuse of Buzzwords The overuse of buzzwords and generic terms such as ‘team player’ ‘dynamic’ or ‘passionate’ have become red flags. Whilst these words can be used genuinely, they often lack real substance unless the candidate has explained how they have demonstrated these qualities. If it looks like the candidate is just trying to fill space on their CV, they probably aren’t a good fit for your company. Lack of Quantifiable Achievements A CV that lists responsibilities without demonstrating how a candidate contributed to their previous employers success won’t add much value. Employers want to see results, so the candidates that highlight specific achievements or improvements that demonstrated their impact in previous roles is a winner. A Generic CV If a CV comes across as a generic one that could have been sent to a lot of employers without addressing the specific requirements of the role, this could show a lack of interest or effort on the candidate’s part. Tailoring a CV to highlight the most relevant skills and experience to the job posting shows that the candidate is serious, interested and committed. As an employer, reviewing CV’s carefully can save you time in the hiring process. Whilst one or two minor red flags might not be a reason to discount a candidate, larger patterns of inconsistencies or lack of professionalism shouldn’t be ignored. Keeping our tips in mind, you can make informed decisions and ultimately find the best person for the role. Are you struggling with finding the right candidates for your vacancies? Reach out to us today to learn how we can help streamline your hiring process and connect you with top talent.