The job market feels brutal right now. You’re competing with hundreds of other candidates for positions that used to be easier to get. 

Everyone has the same basic qualifications, the same generic resume format, and they’re all saying the same things in interviews.

But standing out isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being different in ways that actually matter to employers. 

Small changes in how you approach the job search can make a huge difference.

Learn Skills That Most People Don’t Have

Everyone talks about learning new skills, but they usually mean the obvious ones. Sure, knowing Excel helps. But what about skills that aren’t on every job posting but make you incredibly valuable?

Data analysis is huge right now, even for non-technical roles. Being able to look at numbers and spot trends makes you useful in almost any company. 

Customer service skills sound basic, but most people are terrible at dealing with difficult situations.

Foreign languages matter more than people think. Not just Spanish or French – what about learning the basics of whatever language your industry’s biggest international partners speak?

Build a Portfolio That Shows Real Results

A resume lists what you did. A portfolio proves you can actually do it. This isn’t just for creative fields anymore – every profession benefits from showing rather than telling.

Marketing people can show campaigns they’ve run and the results they got. Even retail workers can document how they improved customer satisfaction scores.

Keep screenshots, before-and-after photos, testimonials from coworkers, and actual numbers. “Increased social media engagement” sounds okay. “Increased Instagram engagement by 340% over six months” gets attention.

Network Without Being Annoying About It

Networking has this sleazy reputation because people do it wrong. They show up to events, collect business cards, and immediately ask for favors.

Real networking is about being genuinely helpful to other people. Share interesting articles, make introductions between people who should know each other, volunteer for industry events.

LinkedIn is perfect for this. Comment thoughtfully on posts from people in your field. Join professional groups and actually contribute to discussions. The goal isn’t to get something immediately – it’s to build relationships.

Customize Every Resume for Each Job

This sounds like a lot of work, but you’re not rewriting your entire resume every time. You’re tweaking it to match what each employer actually wants.

Read the job posting carefully and use the same keywords they use. If they mention “cross-functional collaboration,” don’t just say you’re a “team player.” Use their exact language.

Reorder your bullet points so the most relevant experience appears first. Most people send the same generic resume to every job. Just doing basic customization puts you ahead of 80% of applicants.

Get Recommendations from People Who Matter

References matter more than most people realize, but you need the right ones. Your former manager carries more weight than your college professor. Someone who can speak to your actual work performance beats someone who just likes you as a person.

Ask for specific recommendations. Instead of “can you be a reference,” say “would you be comfortable talking about how I handled the Johnson project and improved our client retention rate?”

Platforms like Higher Hire often connect job seekers with employers who value strong recommendations and proven track records over just credentials.

Show Up Better Than Everyone Else in Interviews

Most interview advice focuses on answering questions correctly. But standing out is about the whole experience. Show up early, but not too early. Bring copies of your portfolio and resume.

Practice telling stories, not just listing facts. When they ask about problem-solving, walk them through a specific situation, what you did, and what happened as a result.

Follow up with a thank-you email that references something specific from your conversation. Most candidates send generic thank-you notes or don’t follow up at all.

Use Social Media to Build Your Professional Brand

Your social media presence is part of your application now. Clean up anything embarrassing, but also use these platforms strategically.

Twitter is great for sharing industry insights. Instagram can showcase creative work. LinkedIn is obvious but underused – most people set it up and forget about it.

Post regularly about topics in your field. Comment on other people’s content. You want to show up in search results when employers google your name.

Keep Learning Even After You Get Hired

Standing out doesn’t stop once you land the job. The people who advance fastest are always picking up new skills and staying current with industry changes.

Take online courses, attend webinars, read industry publications. Most employers will pay for relevant training if you ask. But don’t just collect certificates – apply what you learn immediately.

The job market will keep getting more competitive. But people who consistently invest in themselves and approach their careers strategically will always find opportunities. 

Focus on being genuinely valuable rather than just checking boxes, and you’ll stand out naturally.