CEO shares insider tips to get your job application noticed in a saturated market

It's official: Getting a new job is now harder than ever.

That's according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics , which has identified that the US job market remained virtually unchanged in October, increasing only by 12,000 openings.

This marks the slowest month since December 2020, resulting in another revision of job growth projections. In August and September, actual versus projected job growth figures had to be adjusted to reflect lower-than-expected figures.

While healthcare and government jobs are exempt from these findings, knowledge workers looking for a new job need to stand out from other applicants to get their resumes into the right hands and secure an initial interview, let alone a job offer.

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"In today's competitive and oversaturated job market, simply sending your CV is not enough anymore. The actual issue is getting recognized before you even reach the interview stage," says Natalia Shahmetova, CEO & founder of Woofz, a dog training app. "But here's the secret: you don't need dazzling tricks; you just need techniques that prove you think differently."

A case in point is Shahmetova's most recent job opening, which sought someone to review dog-friendly accommodation. In its first few weeks, it received over 2,000 applications.

Her advice for standing out and building a lasting impression? For starters, she recommends identifying the company's "pain points" and addressing them.

"The majority of applicants focus on what the job description states. Try to dig deeper. Look up the hiring manager's LinkedIn profile or the team's most recent initiatives and pain points. Then, tailor your CV to target these difficulties specifically," she recommends.

Next, consider how side projects can showcase your skill set. For example, if you have a passion for photography or have built up a large social media following by sharing professional tips or insights, consider how to incorporate that into your application to highlight your versatility.

"Employers love seeing how your outside experience connects to the job, not just your 9-to-5," says Shahmetova.

Case studies are another great way to show off your skills and something that many job applicants would never think about including on a resume. "Choose a previous project or problem you worked on, explain the situation and how you addressed it, and then reflect on how you might approach it now, given what you've learned since," she explains.

"This small addition shows that you are always evolving, learning, and contemplating how to improve rather than relying just on previous triumphs."

Shahmetova takes a similarly bold approach to cover letters. She recommends finding a polite way to give constructive criticism and, crucially, offering a solution to the problem.

"If the company recently introduced a new product but has had customer complaints, highlight it in your cover letter and propose a change that would improve the user experience," she says. "The idea here is to be diplomatic; instead of simply pointing out flaws, provide meaningful answers."