How to stand out in a competitive job market

Tips to land your dream role

It’s no secret that job hunting can be tough. The competition is fierce, especially in today’s candidate-rich market where many talented professionals are contending for the same roles. If you’re feeling discouraged or overwhelmed, you’re not alone. But the good news is, with the right strategies, you can elevate your profile and make your job application stand out to hiring managers.

At times, it might feel like you’re not getting anywhere — but there’s always a way to reframe your approach and increase your chances of success. Whether you’re searching for your first job or aiming for the next step in your career, a few small tweaks can make a big difference in how your application is received.

Here are some practical tips to help you highlight your strengths, and bring your unique personality to the forefront of your job search.

1. Create a Stevie Profile

Yes we’re biased, but… Stevie exists to help you stand out. While some businesses still rely on resume-based hiring, many are calling for newer, more effective and efficient hiring practices such as skills-based hiring. That’s where we come in.

We know that a resume doesn’t tell your whole story, and we want to help you find jobs that are right up your alley. So, we’ve ditched resumes in favour of our unique profiles — where we ask the right questions that draw out your strengths, skills and aspirations. Our profiles put YOU front and centre and create a detailed picture of your personality, unique skills and experience, as well as your work style, motivators and ambition. There truly is no one like you – Stevie helps you spotlight this.

Once you’ve created a profile, we make your job search simple – start browsing and apply for jobs with a single click.

2. Personalise your approach

While many businesses are progressing their hiring processes to create a more equal playing field for candidates (shout out if you’re one of  them – you’re fighting the good fight), some businesses still rely solely on resumes to filter talent. So, regardless of our views, we would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge this next point – if you’re applying for a job via resume, you should be tailoring your resume for each role. Hiring managers are specific about what they’re looking for. So, don’t just send out the same generic resume to every employer. Take the time to read the job ad carefully and match your skills and experience to the key requirements.

Use the language from the job description (but don’t just copy and paste), highlighting the exact skills and experiences the employer is seeking. This shows you’ve taken time to understand the role, can showcase how your experience aligns with their goals, and that you’re genuinely interested. By personalising your CV for the role, you can help avoid it from getting lost in a sea of similar applications.

3. Showcase your achievements, not just your responsibilities

When detailing your past roles, focus on what you’ve achieved rather than just listing your job duties. Employers are looking for people who can deliver results. So whenever possible – whether it’s via your resume, Stevie Profile, or LinkedIn – highlight quantifiable outcomes. Did you boost sales by 20%, increase social media engagement by 50%, or improve team productivity? Concrete achievements make your experience more compelling and demonstrate the tangible value you can bring to the role.

Think of your Stevie Profile, LinkedIn and resume as your personal marketing tools: the more you can show how you’ve made an impact, the more likely it is to catch the attention of hiring managers.

4. Elevate your profile – stand out with links to your work

In a competitive market, you sometimes need to go above and beyond standard application requirements. If you’ve worked on projects that show off your skills or if you have a creative portfolio, include links to your work in your Stevie or LinkedIn Profile. Don’t be shy about showcasing work you’re proud of.

For example, if you’re a marketer and have been involved in a successful marketing campaign, a creative project, or even a blog you’ve written, include clickable links on your Profile or in your resume to demonstrate your experience. This can set you apart from other candidates who just list their skills without showing tangible examples. By giving hiring managers a closer look at your work, you can elevate your profile and make your application more engaging and memorable.

5. Let your personality shine

A business’ biggest asset is its people, and hiring good cultural matches is an important factor in ensuring ongoing success and growth. Beyond confirming you have the right set of skills to do the job, hirers want to see your personality and communication skills, they want to get to know you and how you’ll add to their team – something that is difficult to do through a resume.

Stevie allows you the professional introduction you deserve. Through our profile builder, we ask more questions that draw out your strengths, skills and aspirations. No detail is too small –  it all works together to create a big picture and showcase what matters. Your profile puts you front and centre. It allows you to stand out, show your enthusiasm, and connect with hiring managers on a more personal level. With more and more hiring managers looking for soft-skills (particularly strong interpersonal skills such as communication) this could be a game-changer.

6. Build and Nurture Your Personal Brand

We have entered the era of Personal Branding, and in today’s digital world, this is more important than ever. Think of it as your digital handshake — it’s how you introduce yourself to potential employers before they even meet you.

Building a personal brand can feel scary, a lot of people feel embarrassed, afraid of judgement and what people will think, or are worried they’ll mess up. But it’s important to understand building a personal brand is not about trying to be an influencer. It’s about building a community that people want and feel they are a part of and that they will recommend. It’s about communicating authentically, sharing meaningfully and taking steps towards achieving your professional (and personal) goals.

A well-crafted LinkedIn profile is a great place to start. Make sure it’s up-to-date, professional, and showcases your personality, skills, and achievements in a way that complements your resume. Like your Stevie Profile, your LinkedIn profile should give potential employers a deeper sense of who you are beyond your experience, and it should align with the story you’re telling through your resume.

Also, take a look at your other social media accounts — if they’re public, they could be seen by potential employers. Consider whether they reflect the professional image you want to project. If you’re unsure, it’s best to keep them private or curate your posts to ensure they’re consistent with your personal brand.

7. Show your involvement in the community

One way to stand out is by showing that you’re engaged in your community, whether it’s through volunteering, contributing to industry events, or participating in professional groups. Employers love to see that you’re active outside of work and are willing to make a positive impact.

Your community involvement shows initiative, a passion for helping others, and a drive to make a difference — qualities that employers really value. So, if you’re not already involved, consider finding a cause you’re passionate about. This doesn’t just boost your profile — it can also expand your network and open up opportunities you might not have expected.

Stand out in your job search: small steps for big results

Searching for work doesn’t need to feel like a full-time job. By taking a thoughtful and personalised approach, you can significantly improve your chances of landing the role that’s right for you.

It’s easy to get discouraged if you’re not seeing immediate results, but stay positive, proactive, and true to yourself. With persistence and these strategies, you’ll be much stronger positioned to land your next great opportunity.

Ready to level up your job search? Learn more about how Stevie can help.