11 Ways to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market

Whether you got laid off or simply want to move on from your current position, one thing is true if you’re looking for a new job: It’s a competitive job market right now. Finding a job and getting an offer is harder when each job has potentially hundreds of applicants. So how can you stand out and secure your dream job in this competitive market? And why is there so much competition, anyway? 

Let’s dive into the whys and hows of securing an offer in a competitive job market.

What’s the Deal with the Competitive Job Market?

The overall job market is strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment will grow by 6.7 million jobs from 2023 to 2033. 

But layoffs have hit some industries especially hard. The tech industry, for example, has laid off more than 135,000 employees in 2024 alone, according to the crowdsourced database Layoffs.fyi. And some companies have been using AI to downsize their workforces, leaving their employees out of work. That’s a whole lot of job seekers applying for the same positions as you.

If you’re feeling the strain of job searching and want to know how to land a job in the face of a competitive job market, there are several steps to take.

1. Update Your Resume

Your resume isn’t a one-and-done document. Even if you’re happily employed in your dream job, keeping your resume up-to-date with your current responsibilities and skills is essential. After all, layoffs often happen unexpectedly. The last thing you want to do if you’re let go from your job is scramble to update your resume.

Check your resume every few months to ensure it’s updated. Save a copy somewhere that’s easy to access so you can grab it quickly to submit with a job application.

2. Gain Work Experience Through Volunteering or Contract Work

Even if you’re not employed full-time, you can gain vital skills and experience by taking on volunteer or contract positions. Look for volunteer roles that relate to your career aspirations. For example, if you work in marketing, see if any local nonprofits need help with their web presence or social media.

Contracting is another way to fill your time and reduce gaps on your resume while you’re not working full-time.  

3. Consider Further Education Courses

A layoff is the ideal time to reconsider more education. You don’t have to commit to a formal degree. Instead, look for online courses that relate to your industry and would look impressive on your resume.

There are several places to look for relevant courses. Local professional associations may offer continuing education. Alternatively, check websites like Masterclass, Skillshare, Udemy and Coursera for applicable classes. Once you’ve completed a course, add it to your resume to help you stand out in the competitive job market.

4. Update Your LinkedIn Profile

You probably already have a LinkedIn profile (and if you don’t, get on that immediately), but when was the last time you logged in? If you have to think about it, it’s been too long.

Check that your profile is updated with the following:

• A professional headshot
• Work history, including your most recent position
• Skills
• Education
• Relevant certifications
• Professional organizations you belong to
• Volunteer work

You can also help your LinkedIn profile stand out by staying active on the platform. Follow companies and publications in your industry and share research and insights you find interesting. Doing this shows potential employers you’re proactive about staying up-to-date on your industry, even if you’re not actively working in it.

5. Network

Networking can help you stay in touch with other professionals in your industry — and it could help you find your next job. Reach out to your existing network and ask them to pass along any opportunities they see that might be a good fit. You can also ask for introductions to any mutual acquaintances that might be hiring.

In addition to contacting your existing network, look for local networking events you can attend to make new connections. Take a stack of business cards with you and collect business cards from professionals you meet for future follow-up. Often, securing a new job is about who you know.

6. Subscribe to Industry-Specific Job Boards or Websites

Gone are the days when Monster and CareerBuilder were the best ways to find a job. While these platforms are still helpful to your search, there are likely industry-specific platforms where you can search for your next job. Joining platforms like Idealist (for nonprofit job listings) and Mediabistro (for jobs in media) could be the key to securing your next job.

Consider signing up for email newsletters that share job listings in your industry. You can find newsletters for various job types, from remote work to science jobs and content writing gigs. Depending on the newsletter, you’ll receive emails daily, weekly or somewhere in between. LinkedIn is an excellent place to check for newsletter recommendations in your industry.

7. Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter With Each Application

You don’t have to submit a unique resume with every job application, but having several versions of your resume tailored to specific types of jobs can help you stand out. All versions should include pertinent information like your contact details, a professional summary, work experience, skills, education and any certifications you hold. 

From there, you can tailor the document to the job you’re applying for. The simplest way to do this is to rewrite your professional summary, including specific keywords and phrases from the job description to show you have the experience needed for the position.

Most job postings let you add a cover letter. To save time, write a draft that you can tweak slightly for each job you apply for. Again, include keywords and phrases from the job listing and highlight your applicable skills early in the letter to grab the hiring manager’s attention.

8. Join Professional Associations

Most industries have professional associations you can join. Though memberships often come with fees, you gain access to more opportunities for networking and professional development. You can also list your membership in professional associations on your resume. That can help you stand out to potential employers.

9. Prepare Thoroughly for Interviews

You should spend time preparing for every job interview you secure. Doing so can help make you more memorable when competing for a job against multiple qualified applicants. 

• Research the company to understand its mission.
• Read the job description thoroughly to ensure you understand the position well.
• Look up common interview questions and plan your responses.
• Practice your interviewing skills with a friend through role-playing.
• Write a list of questions to ask your interviewer at the end of the meeting.

During the interview, plan on injecting your ideas and thinking to show what you would bring to the role and the company. Just repeating facts and statistics from the company’s website doesn’t tell the interviewer anything besides your ability to memorize information. You’re more likely to get a second interview if you can show how you would solve potential problems in the role and be an asset to the company.

If your interview will be virtual, decide on a location to take the meeting. Ideally, you’ll have good light, few distractions and no background noise. Use your camera preview setting to test your setup and see what you’ll look like to your interviewer. And no matter the interview location, dress professionally and maintain eye contact during the conversation.

10. Secure Strong References

Before applying for a job, line up several former colleagues or other professionals who can act as references. Don’t ask anyone you had a conflict with in a previous position—but make sure you have someone from your current and previous roles you can call upon to talk you up to a potential employer. Ask each person whether they would be willing to act as a reference, and if so, which contact information they’d like you to use.

Consider keeping your references updated on your job search so they know when to expect a call or email asking about their experience working with you. That way, they’re not caught off guard if a potential employer contacts them.

11. Be Patient and Flexible

Job hunting is stressful — especially in a competitive job market. It’s unrealistic to think you can apply for jobs daily with no breaks and not have it affect your mental health. Understand that job hunting takes time. When the job market is strong, it can take much longer than you anticipate. Be patient and take care of yourself.

Flexibility also is a helpful trait. If you’re not getting traction when applying for one particular type of job, consider whether your skills transfer to a related profession and apply there. Additionally, don’t limit your search to permanent roles. While a full-time job is the goal for many job seekers, a temporary or contract role still provides an income and adds more experience to your resume that you can use to find a permanent position.

Ohio-based contributor Catherine Hiles writes about finance, cars, pet ownership and parenting for The Penny Hoarder