6 Tips to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market

Competition among applicants is normal, especially for job openings with limited slots but a huge demand. And it seems that job competition in Singapore is about to get tougher.

Following the Great Resignation, some employees are still seeking better opportunities. Additionally, according to a study, despite the uncertainty that caused moderation in the economy, employers' confidence in the Singapore job market is growing. In effect, they will likely increase their headcount for the first half of 2023.

(Read the 2022-2023 Outlook | Hiring, Compensation & Benefits to understand trends in the job market and create a more data-based strategy for your career growth.)

While there may be a lot of roles to fill soon, Singaporeans not only would have to compete with fellow citizens but also with foreigners and permanent residents.

What is a Competitive Job Market?

In a competitive job market, there are more candidates than available positions. For employers, it may be favourable, as this allows them to fill positions easily, thanks to a large pool of applicants they can tap into. But for employees, it means cut-throat competition.

It's normal for you to ensure that you are qualified for the position you're applying for. But in a competitive job market, good credentials don't guarantee getting hired.

How to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market?

Outside of education, experience, skills, and other qualifications, a competitive job market entails that you adjust your job search strategies to increase the likelihood of getting hired. Here are some tips for surviving the battle.

1. Gain as much experience as possible, even as a student or fresh graduate.

Some job openings will require experience, but certain applicants, like students just about to graduate, may not have this requirement. In this case, volunteering can help you gain some work experience.

Be part of student clubs, unions, or development projects and render services to your school or university. Work as a volunteer for a company or an entry-level assistant for a professional in your field of study. Doing any of these gives you an edge as an applicant and allows you to engage with the community.

Not being paid handsomely for services may not be ideal for everyone. But it's a step in the right direction if you want to know how to write a resume with no experience and still impress employers with the value you can bring.

2. Write a resume tailored to the role and update it often.

Landing an interview anchors on a good resume, so include the relevant information on yours—skills, qualifications, career, and achievements, to name a few. Every time you acquire new abilities, knowledge, or accomplishments, update your resume to reflect those. Degrees or certificates should consist of the date when they were attained.

How to create the perfect resume:

• Customise the resume based on the role and job description. Answering why you should be hired should be evident.
• Use keywords from the job posting to boost your chances of getting noticed by recruitment software.
• Don't just mention your accomplishments; include quantifiable measurements where applicable.

3. Have an online presence

Outside of knowing how to write a resume with no experience, having a digital footprint only makes sense for applicants so recruiters can learn more about them.

Having a job portal account is essential since it's the main source of openings for applicants and candidates for hirers. You can subscribe to their newsletters to easily check opportunities relevant to your field straight from your inbox. But other than that, there's also social media. Today, more social media platforms serve the secondary purpose of being a job portal.

Establish an active professional presence if you intend to reach out to employers through social media. Like resumes, regularly update your pages with your interests and experience. It would also help to get recommendations from people you've worked with, so reputable organisations you have connected with can see your capabilities. Growing your network here is easy, too.

Another consideration when creating your online presence is personal branding. To do this, you must know yourself and be authentic, whether online or offline. Do not adapt your personality to what the company is looking for in employees, as they can easily spot inauthenticity. They need to see who you are to know if you can offer a unique perspective to their organisation.

4. Prepare for interviews.

It's not surprising that people still feel nervous about upcoming interviews. Embracing your nerves is important, but not doing something to at least reduce it can be disadvantageous to you. That's because when you stumble through your interviews, the interviewer will detect how little you know about the company and position you're trying to get into.

Preparation is key in job interviews. Here are some ways to do it:

• Learn as much about the company and position.
• Review your resume and rehearse answers to common interview questions.
• Do not give canned responses. Base your answers on experience.
• Market your best qualities.
• Remember that nonverbal communication also speaks volumes.
• Let your personal branding shine through.

It's also important to listen carefully to the interviewer and ask them questions as they come to mind.

5. Have a growth mindset.

There are many ways to enhance your capabilities to attract hirers. From the onset, good academic qualifications show proficiency in basic knowledge in your field. Then, there's also your commitment to self-development through advanced degrees or certifications from training courses or seminars. Always aim to better yourself.

Aside from improving what you already know, you can also seek to learn something new. Marketable skills that are in demand in a competitive job market give you an edge over other candidates. A few examples are resourcefulness, good interpersonal communication skills, the ability to adapt to a changing work environment, networking, and solving problems with minimum or no assistance.

Hirers are also looking for those with leadership skills, whether natural or developed. Selflessness, a strong zeal to work, quick decision-making and judgement, and other behaviour show a potential to be a good leader. As mentioned, these are not always something you are born with; you can learn and practise them.

6. Build a network with other professionals

Joining professional groups – whether online or offline – relevant to your field, attending industry events, and maintaining contact with current or previous colleagues will allow you to grow your network.

A vast network gives your profile a more executive look, especially professional associations comprising experts in your field. Active participation in these groups also gives you first-hand information about industry trends and job openings. You can even use people within your network as references in your resume.

Survive the Competition

Standing out amidst cut-throat job competition is vital to have a chance of landing a job. It's safer to assume that every applicant you're going up against has what it takes to get hired. Therefore, not only do you have to be highly qualified, but you also need to bring something new to the table.

Want to learn more about how to get hired in a competitive landscape? Our Career Resources page offers more tips to help you#SEEKBetter, from writing a cover letter to upskilling or reskilling. For more information from JobStreet, download our app on Google Play and the App Store for easier access.