Job applications are highly competitive, with most roles receiving around 86 applications. To stand out, applicants need to showcase their personal brand and sell themselves as the ideal fit. This involves optimizing online profiles, building a professional digital presence, and tailoring each application to the specific role and company. Generic applications will likely be ignored, so applicants must communicate their passion and qualifications for the opportunity. Networking, online courses, and side projects can further strengthen applications.
Stand Out From the Crowd With Personal Branding Strategies
1. By
Andy Parker
Co-Founder at Zealify
@ParkerACS
@Zealify
www.zealify.com
Strategies, Methods, Tips &
Tricks for Standing Out From
the Crowd
2. Zealify’s Mission
To help people
discover great jobs
they enjoy in exciting
companies to work
for.
- High growth
startups & SMEs.
- 15-250 employees.
- Mostly tech & digital
- But roles of all types
10. Inside the Hiring Manager’s Head
o ~86 Applications per job role
o Tight for time
o Looking to hire the best person for the
team who can perform well in the job.
≠
the most experienced / high-performing
11. What are the employers looking
for?
ü Attitude over aptitude
ü Value
ü Culture Fit
ü People who punch above their weight
13. Searching for a job IS a job
The basics:
ü Be willing to help yourself
ü Be polite – ALWAYS
ü Don’t be arrogant
ü Don’t fool yourself, there are
opportunities.
BUT you have to HUSTLE
14. Always be ‘on’
Be so remarkable they can’t ignore you:
- Networking
- Phone manner
- Email etiquette
- Social media
- Actual applications
25. “Yes I am
interested in all
your vacancies.
Sign me up I’m
ready to work
hard.”
“Feel free to put
me forward for
any roles you
think are
suitable for my
skillset”
Generic Applications are your
enemy!
“I am interested to apply for the
available opportunity in your
organisation?”
27. Generic Applications are your
enemy!
✘ ‘Send to all’ templates
✘ Copy and pasted applications
✘ Scatter gun approach
DO NOT DO THIS
28. Generic applications will
receive the generic response;
‘no’.
If a candidate hasn’t taken the time and effort to
submit a well thought through application, why
should the employer take the time to think
through their decision?
29. Do you have Skill-Set / Market
Fit?
ü Examples of work & achievements?
ü Quantify them = context & value
ü Up to date skills? (Online courses)
ü Understanding & knowledge of the
industry
32. Communicate ‘WHY’
Ø WHY is this particular company of interest
to you?
Ø WHY is this particular role of interest to
you?
Ø WHY are YOU the right person to join this
company and perform well in this role?
33. You need to be a problem
solver
Position yourself as the solution to the
company’s problems. They need to hire you
for a reason.
34. Most Common Mistakes
✘ Speling & Grammer :-P
✘ Attention to detail
✘ Not reading the job description
✘ Too generic
ü Need to show desire, passion, zeal!
36. LinkedIn Company Search
Use it for finding:
• Company details
• Job openings
• Size of the company
• Info about people who work there
37. Meetup.com
Use it for finding:
• Relevant events to meet employers
• What events specific people (employers) attend or
organise
Type:
Site:meetup.com ‘companyname’
Or
Site:meetup.com “person’s name’
38. Marketing.grader.com
Use it for finding:
• Relevant articles / news about an employer
• Other interesting insights about the
company’s online presence
Warning: can spook people out.
40. SideKick Chrome Extension
Use it for:
• Profiles in your inbox
• Tracking who opens and clicks your emails
• Schedule emails for later
41. Trello board – organise your
job search (and life)
Use it for:
• Organising your entire job search
• Storing your research
• Setting reminders
42. Leverage Your Network
Get Introductions!
Weak-ties > Strong-ties
Ask for advice – take people to coffee
Online networks & communities
Go to events and meetups
45. “Your work is going to fill a large
part of your life, and the only way
to be truly satisfied is to do what
you believe is great work. And the
only way to do great work is to
love what you do.”
- Steve Jobs