“How do I make my job application stand out? Are there any tricks?”
These are questions Erica Rivera, a former recruiter at Google and now career coach at Career Diva, has heard time and time again.In today’s competitive job market, the need to make a lasting impression quickly is crucial. So it’s understandable that candidates are looking for any extra way to grab a recruiters’ attention.
However, according to Rivera, these hacks don’t usually work and can instead hurt your chances, because it shows a lack of trust and credibility. Here are three tricks you should avoid, and what you should do instead when applying to any job:
Don’t use white text
Applicants will sometimes copy the job description and paste it into their résumé in small white font so that it’s not visible, says Rivera. “Their goal is to get their résumé through the applicant tracking system by filling it with keywords.”
But here is the thing: If it does go through, and lands in the hands of the recruiter, they are going to wonder where those keywords are. It raises a red flag, she says.
“In the past, I’ve had to reject people because of this, which is hard,” Rivera says. “I’ve sat there and wondered, why is the ATS giving them such a high score when I can’t see any of these keywords?”
She realized that they were secretly included in the résumé when she scanned the page with her cursor. The experience left a bad impression, she says, because even if she hadn’t noticed and the candidate made it to the interview stage, they weren’t likely going to have the requisite experience.
Instead, when crafting a résumé, she recommends speaking to the experiences you do have, and using keywords that are relevant to you. You could even create a section on your résumé of relevant skills and qualifications.
Don’t use fake job titles
Another common “hack” some applicants use is listing a job title on their résumé that they haven’t officially held, says Rivera.
“Their hope is to look more appealing, but if you’re doing that, and the company then runs a background check on you, or speaks with a reference, it can backfire,” she says. “For example, your reference might say something like, ‘Oh, they weren’t a team lead, they were an individual contributor.’”
Additionally it’s important to ensure that your job titles on your résumé match those listed on your LinkedIn profile. It happens more than you’d think, Rivera says. “Then I wonder, what is it? For me as a recruiter it’s a red flag as I am now being provided with two different pieces of information.”
Do what you can to maintain credibility and trust throughout the process. “I tell people you want to be as honest as possible, as more often than not you’re going to get caught up in the process somewhere [if you aren’t fully transparent].”
Don’t use made up references
Rivera also says she has seen people give fake references, such as using a family member or friend’s name and falsely claiming them as past managers or coworkers.
“Then, when a recruiter goes to reach out, it becomes suspicious when they can’t verify who they say they are,” says Rivera. For instance, they don’t have a company email address, or it is obvious they don’t work for that company.
“The reasons as to why someone does this varies, but I’ve heard things like, ‘I had a toxic work environment, or I didn’t have a great relationship with my manager, so I looked for a way around it,’” she says. “I get it, but unfortunately, when a background check doesn’t line up, an offer can get pulled back.”
Instead she advises applicants to use someone else at their past company. Select someone you have a better relationship with, or maybe a peer who isn’t a friend. “Companies, big ones especially, are thorough with their background checks, so it’s best to be honest. Otherwise, you’re probably not going to move forward.”
What helps you stand out
Now that we’ve debunked a few hacks that don’t work, if you are trying to get your job application noticed, there are a couple things you can do.
If you’re concerned about lacking specific experience for a role, concentrate on highlighting your existing strengths and accomplishments when crafting your résumé, says Rivera.
“You can do this by highlighting your relevant background, such as coursework or extracurricular activities, particularly if you’re a recent graduate. You can also emphasize specific skills or qualities that demonstrate your value, even if they’re not directly aligned with the desired position.”
Additionally, consider taking an intermediate role within your target industry to gain experience before pursuing your ideal job, she says. “It can be beneficial to explore alternative avenues, such as personal projects or volunteer work, to bolster your résumé with tangible examples of your abilities and dedication.”
At the end of day, there are a lot of hacks out there, and a lot of misinformation, too. But when applying for jobs, honesty will get you further than any trick will.
