How to Get a better  job

How to Get a better  job

When it comes to actually applying for a job, think of your application and interview as a marketing pitch for yourself. You’re trying to make a strong case for why you specifically should get the role (or at the very least, an interview).

Apply to a lot of roles

Applying to jobs is often a numbers game, especially for niche or competitive roles. Even if you’re a strong candidate, a lot of factors are outside your control. The employer might be looking for an incredibly specific skill or experience, or your application might simply arrive on a busy day. That’s why applying to a range of roles that genuinely match your skills and experience is key to improving your odds.

That said, applying for jobs takes time and energy, so it’s crucial to get strategic. Spamming dozens of generic applications might feel productive in the moment, but it’s rarely the best use of your resources. On the flip side, spending hours perfecting just one or two applications is probably ineffective. The sweet spot is to focus on roles that align well with your skills, then to create thoughtful, tailored applications without overthinking every detail.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that jobs with high application numbers might not be as competitive as they seem. For example, LinkedIn might show that a job has 1,000 applicants, but many of them likely clicked “Apply” without following through. While the exact numbers vary, most typically receive tens to hundreds of applications—yet many of those applicants don’t meet the qualifications or take the time to tailor their resumes. The real competition is often a much smaller pool of strong candidates.

Finally, don’t be afraid to aim high. Applying to stretch roles—positions that excite you but feel just beyond your current experience—can increase your chances of landing a job that truly challenges and advances your career. If you only apply for roles where you’re 100% confident, you’re likely aiming too low. A mix of realistic and ambitious applications gives you the best shot at a great opportunity.

Think about the hiring manager’s perspective

It’s easy to focus solely on why you’re great, but what really matters is showing why you’re a great fit for this specific role. Imagine what a hiring manager (going through dozens or hundreds of applications) would need to see to pass you forward. Yes, you want to ensure that your skills, experience, and values align with the organization’s needs, but also that you’re genuinely interested in the role and could be a uniquely good fit for the job.

Show genuine interest in the role and company. Hiring managers can easily tell whether you’ve thoughtfully considered why this particular organization appeals to you or if you’re just applying indiscriminately. Somewhere in your application, make sure to communicate why you’re genuinely drawn to their mission, values, or projects. This could be mentioning something specific about their work that resonates with you or connecting your own experience and goals to what they’re doing.

Proactively address any concerns they might have. Think about any potential questions or concerns a hiring manager might have and address them early in your application. If you’re switching fields, explain why you’re making the transition and how your transferable skills set you up for success in the new role. If there are gaps in your resume, don’t leave them unexplained. Share how you’ve grown professionally or personally during that time, whether it’s through freelance work, volunteer experiences, further education, or skills you gained. Similarly, if you’re overqualified, explain why you’re excited about the role despite your advanced qualifications. Maybe you’re seeking better work-life balance or a specific aspect of the role aligns with your long-term goals.

By addressing concerns upfront, you make it easier for the hiring manager to see that your experience, skills, and motivations match the role. The more you can preemptively clarify doubts, the more confident they’ll be in moving your application forward.

Polish (and tailor) your resume

Hiring managers often skim through resumes quickly—sometimes in as little as 30 seconds—and they can form a strong impression in the first 5-10 seconds. With this in mind, your resume should immediately show why you’re a great fit for the role. This means making sure it’s easy to scan and directly highlights your relevant experience and qualifications. It’s also important to note that AI tools are increasingly used to filter resumes before a human even sees them. This means your application should be tailored to match the job description, using clear, specific language to highlight relevant skills and qualifications.

Here’s a few tips to build a strong base resume:

• Prioritize readability. Use bullet points, bold key achievements, and keep descriptions concise. Stick to clear fonts and a logical structure to ensure your resume is easy to skim. It’s also best to steer away from overly complex formats or colors that might distract from your content.
• Keep it chronological. List your work experience in reverse chronological order, with clear summaries of your accomplishments. This gives a solid overview of your career progression and helps prevent questions about gaps.
• Highlight meaningful results. Employers care most about real evidence of your capabilities—especially significant outcomes. Instead of just listing responsibilities, focus on tangible achievements that demonstrate your impact. Whenever possible, use numbers to make your results stand out (e.g., “Led a team of 5 to increase project efficiency by 30%”). The important thing is to emphasize outcomes that are non-trivial and impressive in context. If you can highlight a major success, an independent initiative, or a clear example of making a difference, that’s what will truly help you stand out. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help structure these examples effectively.
• Include relevant unofficial experience. If you’re early in your career, list projects, freelancing, or side gigs that demonstrate initiative and relevant skills.
• Optimize for applicant tracking systems (ATS). Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are a type of software that helps employers (typically larger companies) filter through hundreds of applications by scanning resumes for keywords, qualifications, and specific formatting. It’s good to keep your resume straightforward, use simple formatting with clear section headings, and integrate keywords from the job description (when relevant).

Once you have a solid base resume, the next step is tailoring it for specific job applications. Tailoring your resume doesn’t mean rewriting everything—it’s about making small, targeted adjustments to highlight how your skills match the job description. This increases your chances of standing out when employers skim through resumes quickly.

• Match the job description. Highlight the key skills and qualifications from the job listing to show how your experience aligns with what they’re looking for.
• Make small adjustments. Focus on relevant tweaks rather than overhauling the entire document. Adjust job titles or responsibilities slightly to match the language used in the job description, or reorder bullet points to emphasize your most relevant achievements.
• Avoid keyword stuffing. It can be helpful to match the phrasing from the job description, but don’t overdo it. If certain terms don’t apply to your experience, adding them to your resume will be obvious to the hiring manager. Focus on using keywords that genuinely reflect your experience and qualifications without forcing irrelevant terms.
• Check country-specific norms: If you’re applying to remote or global jobs, it’s worth checking their specific norms. In the U.S. and U.K., for example, resumes should not include a photo due to anti-discrimination policies, while in Germany and many European countries, including a professional photo is common. The length also differs: in the U.S., resumes are typically one page (or two for extensive experience), while two pages are more standard in Europe. Some countries expect details like marital status or date of birth, while others discourage them. If you’re applying internationally, it’s helpful to research the standard format for that country—resources like Europass can help with European CV formats.

Create a compelling cover letter

Cover letters and application questions are your opportunity to connect the dots between your experience and the role, while showing why you’re genuinely excited about the position. Here’s a few things to keep in mind:

• Offer new information. Use your cover letter or application responses to go beyond your resume by focusing on the most relevant aspects of your background. Your aim is to create a cohesive narrative that ties your experiences directly to the role and organization, highlighting how your skills, values, and goals align with their needs. Introduce specific details or examples that demonstrate your qualifications and enthusiasm—essentially, make the best case possible!
• Show genuine interest. Highlight specific aspects of the role or organization that resonate with you to demonstrate you’ve done your research.
• Be specific. Use clear, detailed examples (e.g., “reduced processing time by 20%”) rather than vague statements about your competency.
• Be concise. Aim direct, specific answers to application questions, and keep cover letters to about 3-5 short paragraphs.
• Address potential concerns. As mentioned earlier, it’s always good to provide brief context for resume gaps or explain why you’re interested despite being overqualified. Try to ease any hesitation they might have in passing you to the next stage.
• Use AI wisely. AI tools can help draft ideas and get your thoughts together, but you want to be careful to not come across as inauthentic—ensure the final letter is personal and true to your experience.
• Strike a balance between professionalism and authenticity. Employers are often looking for someone who not only has the skills but is also enjoyable to work with. It’s best to keep a professional tone, steering clear of gimmicks and exaggerated claims. Instead, focus on honest, specific examples that convey confidence without arrogance and interest without insincerity.