How to Stand Out (for Better and Worse!)

How to Stand Out (for Better and Worse!)

Our consultants screen a LOT of applicants. When anyone with an attachable Word doc can apply to your job, you get into situations where you have to delete 35,000 CV’s from your Downloads folder to halt a computer crash. I asked the Informatiq and ERS teams to share some noteworthy examples of when candidates have managed to pop their heads above the crowd, and compiled their list of tips and tricks below:

1. Address the specifics of the job ad in your application. Show an attention to, and interest in, the needs of the company.

“I had a candidate who applied and looked just okay for the role. Then I read his cover letter, and he’s taken the time to properly read the advert and address all of the areas he hasn’t had experience in, but also highlighted transferable skills he has from other experiences.” – Juliette

2. Don’t think any large gaps in your CV will go unnoticed.

“One applicant sent me their CV and didn’t give employment details for the last nine years, and didn’t offer an explanation.” – Rob

- Include any personal projects completed while unemployed, or explain the circumstances of your time out. Reading that you’ve been busy raising a family or traveling South America while tending bar is better than the resourcer assuming you’ve been jailed, or writing off your application altogether.

3. Tailor your CV for every role. Send it to a friend for a second opinion, and take constructive criticism as it’s meant – build a better CV!

“When I spoke with one candidate, he actually had more relevant experience than he’s detailed on his CV – so I asked him to highlight those experiences. He spent time over his lunch break updating it, and sent it back to me that afternoon. He demonstrated some genuine enthusiasm, hard work ethic, and that he’s open to taking criticisms, and I’m now super impressed with him!” – Juliette

(The client was impressed as well – this candidate was requested for interview!)

4. Skills that are listed in the “Skills” section should be backed up by your experience. Give evidence in your job responsibilities, and if you can’t, delete it. - Steve

5. If you’re giving your first impression in a phone interview, make sure it’s polished. Find a quiet place with excellent service, and ask your interviewer if the line is clear. It’s like making sure your suit is ironed and there’s nothing in your teeth when you show up to interview.

“I had a candidate who had loads of first interviews, but wasn’t getting anywhere, until someone finally told him that he sounded terrible on the phone. His phone was years and years old, so he got a new one finally. Then he got a job!” – Mary

6. And while we’re on first impressions…

“I asked my client for feedback on the candidate, and the interviewer said, ‘Let me put it this way… He lit up the room.’ He showed up in a Hawaiian shirt.” – Paul

“One candidate wore a cowboy hat in his interview.” – Rob

“We had a candidate who attended an assessment day, and noticed another candidate was wearing a suit with the tags hanging off it, so he could return it the next day.” – Juliette

“Having said he’s caught the train down from Manchester, my candidate called 30 minutes prior to the interview, saying he was in one of the cubicles at Euston suffering from acute diarrhea (sound effects highly audible).” – Malcolm

7. No but really, make a good impression. While on the job hunt (and in reality all the time), keep your social media presence attractive to employers.

“One of my candidates had a first round interview on Skype, and forgot that his profile picture showed him wearing a shirt that said ‘Mr. Idiot.’ If you’re going to use your private Skype for business, check that there’s an appropriate image for that scenario.” – Mary

8. Don’t shrink away at the first obstacle. Making an extra effort will prove that you want the job, give a glimpse at what your work ethic will be like once hired, and yes, make you stand out.

“I had a candidate who crashed his car on the way to his interview – his interviewer passed the crash on the way in! The candidate called his Dad, who picked him up and took him to the interview. He got the job, and I genuinely think part of the reason was because he’d gone to so much effort to make sure he attended.” – Juliette 

(Disclaimer: we don’t recommend crashing your car to show enthusiasm!)

“I had a contractor recently interview for a role that was a 2 hour commute, one way. Although he interviewed exceptionally well, the company thought to interview another, as they weren’t sure a 4 hour daily commute was feasible. However, when we called to discuss it with him, the contractor had researched the opportunity so thoroughly that he was able to tell us to the £ how much it would cost him for the year, at what times he would get in, and had even looked at his current contract to be sure he could start with our Client the moment they asked. Inevitably his dedication got him the job.” – Alisha

But we would draw the line at criminal activity:

“A candidate was rejected for an ethical hacker role, and in an attempt to prove his worth he tried to hack our systems. He not only proved his ‘ethical’ hacking approach was a little more black hat than white, but he further exemplified characteristics we could not put in front of any client who would expect adherence to the Computer Misuse Act of 1990.” – Alisha

9. Be confident, but show that you’re a team player. You’re not hired off of your CV alone because you need to prove to the interviewer that you’ll be a good fit for the company and your future team. Highlight your strengths and know your limitations. Have strong opinions, but show that they’re flexible.

“Once in an assessment centre, there was a case study exercise where they worked in a group with four candidates. Two of those candidates were mine. One of them came back to me with the feedback that he did AMAZINGLY well – he took total control of the project and made sure it was all completed perfectly. My other candidate said it was a total nightmare – there was this other guy who took total control over the project and wouldn’t let anyone contribute, so he had to really work hard to make his voice heard, and also the voices of the other two candidates.

“The first guy was rejected because he was, understandably, too controlling. The second guy actually got the job, and I was told that a big part of his positive feedback that day was how well he handled the controlling character.” – Juliette

 For more of our consultants' advice on navigating your job search, watch this space!