The job market in 2022 is one of the most competitive to date! Unfortunately, this means that thousands of professionals around the UK are struggling to find work, evening with years of experience under their belt.
In such a competitive market, the key to securing a job in 2022 is about far more than experience or education. In this article, we will reveal 7 ways that you can increase your chances of being recruited that you may be missing during your application.
1. Stand out from the crowd
The typical job application process involves handing in your CV or cover letter before being invited for an interview. This is the downfall for many applicants despite having impressive skills, education or experience.
In a pile of paperwork, potential employers will gravitate towards those that are slightly different from the rest. Therefore, it is vital that you make your application stand out. Although, remember to keep things professional and don’t do anything that may be considered weird!
A good way to stand out without stepping over the line is to spice up your CV layout or structure. You may even want to create a visual CV, on which you use bold quotes, graphs and visual images to display important information. Doing this is a great way to stand out from the crows, show your creativity and impress recruiters.
2. Use an agency
The job recruitment process can be tough! If you’re feeling a little stuck, it may be worth looking to an agency for help. Recruitment agencies “will take the time to understand your motivations and career aspirations”, say experts at AtkinsSearch. Agencies have teams of professionals who can help you to find your next dream job! Using an agency will put you ahead of other applicants and set you up for success.
3. Avoid being repetitive
Employers can tell when a cover letter or CV has been written with little effort. Applicants tend to gravitate towards the same skills, attributes, and interests that they assume will impress employers but actually make them seem a little boring.
Instead, you should try to avoid using generic job application phrases and choose a range of words, skills and attributes that could be different to what every other applicant has said. For example, almost every job applicant will say that they have good teamwork skills. Instead, you could say that you encourage unity or thrive in collaborative environments.
4. Read the job description
You would be surprised at the number of applicants who send in CVs or cover letters without fully reading the job description. If you think of a job application like a test, the description will give you all of the answers!
Job descriptions give details about everything that employers are looking for in their ideal candidate. Therefore, your application should address every point and provide examples that relate to what they are searching. Make sure that you fully understand what employers are after and tailor your application to this.
5. First impressions count
In most cases, an interview is the first time that employers will see who you are. Therefore, it is during your interview that your recruiters will make their first impression of your personality and whether or not you would be a good fit for the job.
Use your interview to display the very best parts of your personality, work ethic and people skills. If you’re an optimistic person, make sure to speak positively and talk about future aspirations. If you thrive more on being a good team player, ask about how you could best contribute to the workplace environment. This is your chance to make employers like you (or dislike you!).
6. Smile
This tip may sound a little obvious, but a simple smile can go a huge way when it comes to job interviews! Employers want staff who will get along well with their co-workers and seem approachable to clients. Therefore, showing your smiley side is a great way to impress!
It may also be worth making a few light jokes or telling a funny anecdote. Of course, this entirely depends on the job that you are applying for! Make sure that you understand what kind of applicant best fits the role and work your interview around this.
7. Do your research
Employers are impressed by candidates who know their stuff! Therefore, you should take time to research the company that you are applying for. Understand their performance, history and maybe even some of their recent struggles. Not only will this make you seem keen about the role, but it will also give you some excellent talking points for your interview!
