3 Creative Ways to Stand Out in a Job Search

Are you finding it difficult to stand out in a digital job search?

Tired of endlessly applying on Zip-recruiter and Indeed?

You may be missing one crucial element in your job search — creativity.

Being creative is one of the best ways to find a new job fast. A simple change on your application to showcase creative flair can be the thing that sets you apart from the competition. Read on to check out our top 3 creative ways to stand out in a digital job search.

1. Show What You Can Do

“One of the best ways to get a job is to just start doing it.”

– PSI Career Specialist

When it comes down to it, one of the most creative ways to go about your job search is to simply start working before you are even hired. This may sound a bit strange, but let me explain how this is one of the most effective and creative job search strategies.

When applying online, employers can have a difficult time trying to understand how an applicant would fit into a specific position. Varying job titles, different skill sets, and multiple industries can make it difficult for you to stand out among a sea of other applicants. One of the best ways to give hiring managers the confidence to interview or hire you is to submit work ahead of time that shows you can accomplish what the job is asking for.

This strategy can be a bit tricky, as what you can actually do will vary depending on your specific job and industry. However, simply starting to work before you are hired can inspire an incredible amount of confidence in any employer. Here are some creative examples that will help you get noticed even before the first interview.

Creative Ideas to Show Employers What You Can Do

1. Programming/Tech- Is an employer looking for an individual that can write HTML for their website? Try creating a mock-up page for an addition to their site. Send the link in your cover letter!

2. Marketing/Creative- Is a hiring manager looking for someone that can design new flyers for their business? Create a flyer and attach it to your resume submission!

3. Business/Financial- Is a recruiter looking for someone that will increase sales? Develop a business plan and explain how you would sell new items at the company.

One of the best ways to get hired is to show the exact value that you will bring to a prospective employer. Show what you can do and you will be surprised how impressed employers will be!

2. Make a Creative Cover Letter

It is so easy to use a form cover letter when applying to jobs online. But, let’s face it — typical pre-formed cover letters will not get you a job. In fact, if you are going to use a form based cover letter, it’s best to not even include it. Cover letters are key to many hiring managers due to the fact that they showcase your personality, your story, and even your dreams. Even though it can be time consuming and difficult to write a customized cover letter, it will greatly improve your chances of being hired.

For many, a cover letter is simply an elevator pitch that highlights why they should be hired for a position. This strategy can be effective, but why not be a bit more creative? Here are a few ideas to create new and innovative cover letters!

Creative Cover Letter Ideas/Alternatives

• The Video Cover Letter- This cover letter approach is actually not a written letter at all. With this approach, you would make a video that highlights your skills. For creatives, video is the most consumed type of content on the web, so why not try it with your cover letter! With a few quick minutes, you can explain exactly why you would be the best fit for a job and show specific examples that prove it. This is a rather new concept for cover letters, but it is an extremely smart way of talking directly to an employer before the interview is even scheduled!

• The “Pain” Cover Letter- This type of cover letter can be a bit scary to write, but it can pay off in dividends if executed correctly. A pain letter essentially points out a problem that a company has and then explains how you would go about fixing it. It can be a bit scary to point out an issue that a company may have, but it shows that you have done a lot of research into how an organization works. Make sure to emphasize how you could fix the problem if hired at the company. Show your value!

• The Visual Print Cover Letter- For many creative jobs, hiring managers may ask for print portfolios and cover letters instead of digital ones. Getting creative with a print out cover letter is a great way to stand out from the crowd. Try submitting your print portfolio as a creative book with your cover letter attached! Hiring managers love to see the care put into to printed out physical cover letters.

3. Create a Strong and Unique Personal Brand

We talk a lot about personal branding on the PSI Blog, and for good reason! After all, a strong personal brand is essential to standing out in a digital job search. A personal brand can be defined as anything that represents you when it comes to a job search. This can be everything from your logo, your website, and even your LinkedIn profile and Facebook page. All aspects of your online presence help to define your personal brand.

In order to stand out in a job search, it is important to define a personal brand that showcases your personality while remaining professional. There are multiple ways to go about this, so here is a quick guide!

3 Easy Ways to Define Your Personal Brand

1. Make a Logo- Hire a graphic designer or create a quick logo yourself that best represents you. An easy way to do this is to combine your initials into a simple, pleasing graphic.

2. Update your LinkedIn- Take time to update your LinkedIn profile with a professional headshot, complete work history, and examples of past work. This will allow any prospective employers to quickly view all of your professional information in one place. Make sure that all of these items tie together well to create a cohesive page that best represents you.

3. Clean Up Your Facebook and Instagram- Make sure that your personal social accounts match the personal brand that you set on LinkedIn. Clean up any old posts that may not match your professional demeanor and mindset.

The key to a great personal brand is creativity and personality. Be professional but also creative, and most of all, be yourself. Show off what makes you, you!

How have you been creative when looking for a job? Are you going to try out any of these ideas in your search?

Let us know and comment below now. All of our comments are answered by a career specialist that is here to help you!