How to Make Your Job Application Stand Out

The tables have finally turned, and the job market has become much more recruiter-led. That means there are fewer jobs available and more candidates applying for them. So, how do you get your application noticed when competition is high? Here are our tips on how to make your job application stand out.

Research the charity

First thing’s first—do your homework. Spend some time browsing the charity’s website, social media and reviews on sites like Glassdoor. What do you like or find particularly interesting about them? What are their values and how do they align with yours? How could your skills help them achieve their mission statement? Gathering this information and peppering it throughout your application will really help you to stand out.

Show passion for the cause

Once you’ve researched the charity and know exactly what they do and what they stand for, think about how you can show that you care about it. This is important for a charity job application.

It might be a cause that you, or someone close to you, has been personally affected by, or one that you’ve always felt strongly about. Or, if you’ve been led to the charity sector by a general desire to make a difference in the world, then focus on exactly how you feel the charity has an impact, why you want to be a part of it and how you can play your part.

Showcase any volunteering or relevant activities

If you’ve done any volunteering, whether relevant to the cause or not, then make sure it has prominence on your CV. If you haven’t, and you really want to focus on how to make your job application stand out, then now’s a good time to consider it. Not only will you learn loads about the charity sector and gain relevant skills, but you’ll also clearly demonstrate commitment to and passion for a cause.

If you have any relevant hobbies or interests, then don’t forget to include those too. For example, if you’re applying to a charity that helps disadvantaged young people access the arts and you’re a keen actor in your free time, including this will help make your job application stand out.

Tailor your application

Rather than trying to seem impressive by cramming as many skills as possible on to your CV, make sure you’ve tailored it to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for the right fit for the job, so make sure your CV leads with your core skills and experience that are the best match for this particular role.

Similarly, if you’re writing a cover letter, then personalise it to the charity. Address it to the hiring manager, if you know, or can find out, their name. And if you cut and paste any part of it, then double check you’ve updated both the charity name and cause to the correct ones. It sounds obvious, but it can be very easy to miss!

And remember to keep both succinct. You won’t make a good impression if your application is so long that the hiring manager doesn’t read it all.

Sell yourself

For your application to stand out, you need to focus on what you want it to stand out for. Think about your unique selling points and why that charity should employ you over any other candidate. Include this in your cover letter or write a short, personal statement for the top of your CV.

Don’t forget to include your soft skills. For charities in particular, skills such as communication, empathy and teamwork are essential. And if you’re coming from a charity supporting a very different cause, or from outside the sector completely, make it clear that you’re willing to learn.

Smaller charities, especially, will have roles that cross multiple disciplines and an ‘all hands on deck’ mentality, so if you can show that you’re willing to pitch in and help with whatever needs doing, then your application is likely to be considered more favourably.

Develop a presence

Depending on your discipline, do whatever you can to develop a relevant online presence. Whether that’s starting a blog or podcast or simply just gaining contacts through social media follows, and sharing and commenting on your targeted charity’s posts. Our sister site, CharityConnect, runs regular online networking sessions for those working in the sector.

The same goes for the real world – go to any relevant networking events or charity fundraisers and try to get as much information as you can about the charity and the people who work there.

Another tactic is to ask your previous managers and colleagues for LinkedIn recommendations. These will be especially powerful if they come from people within the sector or cause that you’re applying to. Don’t forget to link to your profile on your CV.

Not only will developing a presence mean your name may become known to recruiters, but it’s another way of demonstrating passion and commitment.

Show attention to detail

This goes without saying, but make sure you follow the application instructions exactly. If you’ve been asked to send a cover letter or a work sample, then make sure you do it. And remember to double check your application for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. It can help to get a new pair of eyes on the final version and ask a friend or relative to check it over for you.

If you haven’t heard anything back from the charity two weeks after the application closing date, then – unless they’ve said not to contact them – why not drop the HR team or hiring manager an email? Explain that you’re still very interested in the role and ask if there’s anything else they’d like to see from you to help them make a shortlisting decision.

Stay motivated

Remember, you can never know who else applied for a role, or exactly what recruiters are looking for, so don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get noticed straight away. You now know how to make your job application stand out, so keep going, and when the right role comes up, all your hard work will be worthwhile.

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