How to Stand Out in a Tough Job Market

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If you’re feeling stuck and struggling to stand out in the job market, you’re not alone and it’s not your fault. Let’s be honest, job searching right now is tough. It can feel like you’re doing everything right, yet getting nowhere, and that’s incredibly frustrating. Job vacancies in the UK are currently trending downwards and have been for a while, which means there is higher competition for each role.

But here’s the good news: there are practical things you can do to help you stand out. With the right approach, you can make sure you’re giving yourself the best possible chance. Let’s talk through what you can do to stand out in the current job market…

 

1. Know Your Worth (And How to Present It)

Before you even hit ‘apply,’ take some time to reflect on what you bring to the table. What skills do you have that employers will genuinely value? What achievements can you point to that demonstrate your capability? Too often, candidates undersell themselves simply because they don’t take the time to articulate their strengths clearly.

How to do it:

  • Make a list of your key skills and real-life examples of when you’ve used them successfully.
  • Quantify your achievements wherever possible – numbers stand out and give context.
  • If you struggle with this, ask a colleague or friend to help you identify your strengths; sometimes, others see what we overlook.

 

2. Make Your CV Work for You

You’ve probably been told a hundred times to tailor your CV for every single job application. While this advice comes from a good place, it’s not always practical – especially when you’re applying for multiple roles across different industries. Instead of tweaking your CV for every single job, a smarter approach is to create different versions for different types of roles.

If you’re applying for both industry-specific and non-industry-specific roles, for example, have a CV for each that highlights the most relevant skills and experience. Your CV shouldn’t be a list of everything you’ve ever done – it should act as a door-opener to opportunities. If you’re changing industries, remove industry-specific jargon and focus on transferable skills.

How to do it:

  • Identify the key skills and experience required for each type of role you’re applying for.
  • Create tailored versions of your CV that highlight the most relevant aspects for each.
  • Keep your CV concise and relevant – remove anything that doesn’t add value to the role you’re targeting.

For more advice on this and a downloadable CV template, head over to our candidate hub.

 

3. Your LinkedIn Profile Matters More Than You Think

Think of your LinkedIn profile as your digital CV – employers and recruiters will check it once you’ve applied and they will also use it to find you, even if you’ve not applied for a role. If your profile is outdated or incomplete, you could be missing out on opportunities before you even realise they exist. Employers will also check for consistency, so make sure your job roles, dates, and key details align with the information on your CV. Any discrepancies could raise unnecessary red flags.

How to do it:

  • Ensure your headline and summary clearly reflect your skills and aspirations.
  • Regularly update your profile with new skills, achievements, and even posts or articles relevant to your industry.
  • Double-check that all dates, job titles, and key details match your CV to maintain credibility.

 

4. Be Proactive in Finding Opportunities

Waiting for jobs to pop up on job boards isn’t always the most effective strategy. Instead, take control of your job search by actively seeking out opportunities and networking with the right people. LinkedIn is a great tool for this – not just for job applications but for making meaningful connections.

How to do it:

  • Identify companies you’d love to work for and connect with key people within the business.
  • Reach out to professionals who are in roles you aspire to, asking if they’d be open to a short chat about their career path. People are often happy to share their experiences and advice.
  • When messaging someone, don’t immediately ask for a job – instead, express genuine interest in their journey and ask for insights.
  • Engage with industry professionals by commenting on posts and joining discussions – this increases your visibility to potential employers.
  • You never know where a conversation might lead, so focus on building relationships rather than just asking for job opportunities.

 

5. Prepare for Every Interview

Interviews are an opportunity to confidently showcase why you’re the right fit for the role. Being well-prepared means you can walk in feeling confident, and ready to showcase your suitability for the role and company.

How to do it:

  • Research the company thoroughly – understand their values, recent news, and competitors.
  • Prepare structured responses using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your answers clear and relevant.
  • Practise answering common interview questions with a friend or even by recording yourself.
  • Have thoughtful questions ready for the interviewer – it shows genuine interest in the role and company.

You can find more hints and tips on how best to prepare for an interview here.

6. Follow Up – But Don’t Be Pushy

Most candidates don’t follow up after an interview, which means this is a simple yet effective way to stand out in the job market. A quick follow-up isn’t about being pushy – it’s about reinforcing your interest, professionalism, and keeping yourself fresh in the hiring manager’s mind.

How to do it:

  • Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview. Keep it short and professional.
  • Reference something specific from the conversation to show you were engaged.
  • If you don’t hear back within the given timeframe, a polite follow-up email is fine – but if they don’t respond after that, move on rather than push.

 

Conclusion

Job searching can feel relentless, and it’s completely understandable to feel discouraged at times. The uncertainty, the waiting, and the rejections can take a toll, but you’re not alone in this. It’s a tough market, and it’s okay to acknowledge that.

The good news is that there are proactive steps you can take to give yourself the best possible chance. By being strategic, preparing thoroughly, and networking, you can put yourself in the strongest position to land the right role for you.

If you need any more guidance or more active support with your job search, please feel free to get in touch, we’d be happy to help!