Having just experienced the NZ job market and commencing my career with people2people in New Zealand, I’ve had the first hand opportunity to assess the key highlights, that make job seekers stand out for potential employers. Sure, you can design a graphically appealing CV that might ‘woo’ your potential employer, but is that enough?

In order to fully catch the attention of your target audience, a little work in the early stages, could ultimately, ensure you stand out, when hiring managers are choosing between you and a competing candidate. Using my own personal experience as well as current market trends, these key concepts could make you the winner, in the ever so challenging job market.

The biggest mistake a job seeker can make when applying for a job is sending through the all too common ‘to whom it may concern’ followed by ‘your establishment’. Taking the time to modify your CV and personalise your submission, can highlight your care when being considered for a role. Doing your research into the company, their mission statement and values as well as the hiring manager/team you’ll be working with, can distinguish you as the more appealing candidate. A little elbow grease never hurt anybody so get your hands dirty and do your research.

Whether it’s your personal Facebook account, blog or your professional LinkedIn profile, this is all out there for potential hiring managers to see. Sure, you can have your own personal opinions and share a meme here and there, but it may not be in your best interest to post everything on a public forum for your new CEO to see. Keeping everything professional and reflective of who you are as an employee, can make all the difference when your name is typed into a search engine upon initial consideration. Even going the next step and providing links to your profiles and websites can show your employer you’re open about who you are, what you’ve accomplished and what you are capable of within your potential new company. Keep your private stuff private.

One of the more difficult aspects of the application process is being a little vain and talking about your strengths. Everyone would like for their potential employer to give them a chance and let them show first hand they’re a good fit for a role, but it’s not that simple sometimes. Starting with your accomplishments/achievements relevant to the role, hiring managers can identify the key strengths you need in those situations. This can also show what you are capable of and have the potential to be able to achieve in the future if chosen to work for them.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the role as well, hiring managers/recruiters want the best person for the role not because it makes their life easier, but they are in the business of ensuring their employees are happy and fulfilled in the role. This comes down to being selfish and ensuring the role is exactly what you’re looking for because after all, you’re the one who will have to go to work every day.

This is the big one! It easy applying for jobs and never having to pick up the phone and talk to anyone, if it were that simple, recruitment would be left to Seek. Sure, you can do the typical call and follow up after you initially apply and after weeks have gone by hoping your submission has made it into the next stage of consideration, but it may be too late by then. Taking 5 minutes out of your day, picking up your phone (don’t kid yourself, we all know we’re on it, scrolling through Instagram posts anyway…) and establishing a relationship with your hiring manager/recruiter is the unofficial first stage in your interview process. It can not only give them a first impression of who you are and what your motives are, but can be a way for you to stand out from everyone else putting up their hand for the role. If the role isn’t a good fit or just doesn’t follow through as you’d hoped, you’re talking to people who hire people for a living, and we may be able to help in other ways. If not, we all love a chat and having a huge network at our disposable. So tap into it and say hello.

Hopefully this gives you the leg up in your next job search and if you wish to add to our key focus points, don’t be afraid to leave us some feedback in the comments section below, we’d love to hear your approach!