Job hunting is never easy, but in a pandemic, it’s a real struggle. Remember one thing – good people are always in demand in any market – so it’s your job to stand out and be noticed. Here are some straightforward hacks to stand out in a crowd.

Don’t join the Herd 

The temptation is great. Lot’s of job seekers are chasing the market down. They’re understandably desperate and would accept lower salaries and job grades. There’s a siege mentality that can be counter-productive. You can stand out by being different, and that starts with clarity about what you’re after. A little ambition can be a good thing. 

Re-write your CV for a COVID-19 world 

COVID has changed the context in which business functions, and your CV needs to reflect that. Present yourself in the world of change and transformation. What applied in 2019 is now old hat. 

Get a solid CV 

While we’re talking about CV’s, write your CV to get a reaction. Avoid the bland and beige. Avoid corporate and predictable jargon. Use original language. Use a Thesaurus to avoid turn-off words such as ‘passionate’. Post your CV to Aruba Jobs here

Complete your LinkedIn profile 

More and more Recruiters and hiring managers in Aruba use LinkedIn as a candidate database. It’s searchable, so make sure your Headline (the line immediately below your name) and the About sections are peppered with key words and phrases to make sure you’re spotted when they’re looking for somebody with your skills and experience. 

Don’t chase everything 

Click and spray job applications are too easy. Be selective. Target your efforts. You’re more likely to get a positive response and fewer rejections that can be so dispiriting. 

Follow up 

If you can find the name of anybody who has posted an ad, look them up on LinkedIn and send them a connection request along with a short message. Even in desperate times, you’d be surprised how many don’t bother with this simple act of getting noticed. 

Lots of jobs aren’t being advertised 

Be aware that lots of jobs aren’t being advertised because the response can be bigger than a recruiter can cope with, so they rely on finding candidates – which is why it’s important to have your CV full and up-to-date posted here on Aruba Jobs as well as your LinkedIn profile. 

Keep your spirits up 

Don’t spend all your working hours job hunting. Take some time out. Go for a walk. Take a break to return refreshed. 

Finding your next job will be a challenge, so try to stand out and be noticed. Just appearing like everybody else makes you harder to spot.