Right now, the job market is crowded. Layoffs at companies like Amazon, Home Depot, and UPS have put thousands of smart, experienced people back into the market at the same time.
That means hiring managers are seeing:
- Hundreds of qualified resumes
- Similar titles and experience
- Nearly identical cover letters
So standing out has nothing to do with being “good enough.” It has everything to do with being different in ways that matter.
Here’s how people actually stand out:
1. Make It Obvious You Want This Job
Most applicants want a job. Very few show they want this one. You stand out when you:
- Reference a specific product, initiative, or challenge in your cover letter or interview
- Explain why their mission matters to you
- Connect your experience directly to what they need right now
This shows intention, and intention matters.
2. Show Your Thinking, Not Just Your Experience
Resumes show history. Hiring managers want to see judgment. Ways to show it:
- Share a one-page idea for how you’d approach the role
- Outline what you’d focus on in your first 60–90 days
- Offer insight on a real problem the team is facing
This instantly separates you from people who only list past jobs.
3. Do Something Most Applicants Won’t
Most applicants stop at “submit.” Standing out means doing one extra thing. Examples:
- A short, thoughtful follow-up that adds value
- A brief intro video explaining why you’re excited about the role
- A note to a team member asking a smart question about the work
This isn’t about doing more for every job. It’s about doing more for the jobs you really want.
When I was applying for my role at Amazon Web Services (AWS), I wanted the job soooo badly. I knew I would need to go above and beyond to stand out, so I wrote 24 pages of possible questions they might ask with my answers in STAR format. I studied and prepared. It was a lot of extra work, but I got the job. How badly do you want the job? Show it.
The job market may be competitive, but you have so much to offer. Let employers know it!
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