SEARCHING FOR A new job can feel like a tough task. You have to find the perfect role, meet the criteria and nail the application.

If you really want to secure your dream gig you need to stand out from the crowd. In this competitive job market, hiring managers will often receive hundreds of applications for each role.

They will only choose a select few to interview. So, how do you guarantee that you make the cut? Follow our top tips for standing out from the crowd.

Attend industry events

Networking is a great way to meet relevant people and get your name out there. It’s important to attend industry-specific events and seminars.

It’s a great way to meet hiring managers face-to-face. It’s easy to forget a job application. It is much harder to forget a friendly face.

Product Director and Co-Founder of YADA Events, Mehram Sumray-Roots advises attendees to: “Be yourself! Be vibrant, bubbly and someone we can’t miss. With the industry we are in, we need people that are confident and can stand out in a crowd.”

Keep your bio up-to-date

This one might seem a little obvious but it’s so important. Update your bio every couple of months. Whether you’ve adopted new technical skills, accomplished something significant in your role or undertaken special training.

Your soft skills are important, they determine your emotional intelligence and whether or not you will fit in with the company culture. Don’t overlook them!

Find their pain points

Companies hire people with solutions. Every single business from a startup to a multi-national corporation has problems and issues. If you really want to stand out from the crowd find their pain points.

Perhaps you’ve noticed a flaw in their website design or you’ve thought of a better way to run their service. Tell them. A good hiring manager will be impressed with your proactiveness.

Be enthusiastic

If you’ve applied for loads of jobs in the past it’s easy to become complacent. Perhaps you didn’t research the company properly or maybe you cut corners preparing your interview questions. That’s a big no-no.

Cheryl Horn, Senior Talent Partner at Secret Escapes describes the kind of talent they are looking for:

”We’re looking for grafters and self-starters to join the gang, who can keep up with the pace and want to make a difference. We still work in relatively small teams, so there’s no room for coasting along. We’re friendly, happy and most importantly, we work hard. We’re not afraid to get our hands dirty and we’re all madly passionate about our brand. We want that enthusiasm from our candidates.”