4 TIPS TO STAND OUT IN YOUR FIRST JOB SEARCH

Photo Credit: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

From online courses to using AI, here’s a guide every SPM/University graduate needs to stand out from the competition during the hiring process

Leaving school or university and finding your feet in the competitive world of job hunting is never easy. Even those with the best grades and multiple internships begin to realise it takes a while to land your first ‘adult job’. When you’re competing with thousands of candidates who may be just as (or more) qualified as you, it’s tough to prove you’re an outstanding candidate. 

The good news is there are ways to stand out from the crowd and show a potential employer you’re a top recruit.

1.Always, always upskill

The last thing you want to do once you’ve said goodbye to school or university is keep studying. But upskilling in the latest tools and software in your industry – and growing your soft skills – shows employers you’re serious about learning and growth. This is especially helpful if you’re finding it difficult to get job interviews based on a lack of a specific skill set.

Thankfully, there are a plethora of online courses that can help you. Platforms like Coursera and Alison offer a tonne of free courses from a number of leading institutions, so you can easily teach yourself a few new things within your industry. Some courses even offer certification, which is a great boost to your CV. 

2. Curate a unique and memorable resume

HR practitioners, hiring managers, recruiters and even recruitment software sort through many resumes every day, which can make it hard to stand out if your CV is following a basic online template. But then sometimes, all companies want is a simple CV without the fanfare and design. How do you know what to do? First, do your research. If you’re a freshly-graduated graphic designer looking for your first design job, your CV is going to read and look very different from an accountant looking to land a finance job. If you’re struggling to decide, have a play on tools like Canva and Wepik, which offer plenty of unique resume templates you can easily edit to your preferred style. Make sure you always personalise your resume, add your own flair, and proofread it two – no, three! – times. 

3. Slide through the hiring process with a well-crafted portfolio 

If you need to put forward a portfolio or presentation as part of the hiring process, you’ve got to get it right. To showcase a portfolio of work, some candidates will set up a simple website, but others may use platforms like Slidesgo and SlidesCarnival, which offer templates that are readily available for you to use. Portfolios can also be hosted on platforms like Behance or Dribbble, if you’re in a more creative role. Remember to include succinct, relevant information in your portfolio to show a potential employer what you did, why you did it, and why it matters. This will help them to assess whether you have the capabilities they’re looking for, and fast-track your path to that first interview!

4. Unleash AI to help you find your next job

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere – so why not use it as part of the job search? You might already use a little AI to help you create your resume or portfolios, so it makes sense to use it to get matched with job recommendations based on your qualifications, skills and preferences. One such option is Swag by Employment Hero – an AI powered employment superapp that can be your passport to global top-tier jobs. Beyond helping you find a job or internship, it can also help you draft a compelling cover letter (though make sure to give it your own personal touch after!) that will make your profile memorable to any hiring manager.

When you’re job-hunting, having the right resources on hand will go a long way in preparing for this transition into ‘the real world’ of work. Best of luck!