I see a lot of LinkedIn posts from job seekers who have applied to hundreds of jobs on various job boards. And I know how it feels, especially when you are laid off, you think that by casting your net wider and filling out tons of online job applications, something’s got to hit. But if everyone is doing the same thing, there are hundreds or possibly over a thousand applicants for each job!  How can you possibly stand out if you are using the same resume for each post?

If you've been laid off or are looking for a new job, it's tempting to hit every job board and apply for every open position. You might think applying to hundreds of job listings is the best way to land a job. But here’s the truth: if everyone is doing the same thing, it’s harder to stand out. 

Instead of applying to every job posting, try a more strategic approach. 

Consider changing up your job application process. Only apply to jobs where you’re an awesome match, AND only if you are truly excited about the specific role and company. 

Be selective and spend more time tailoring your resume for each job opening. Pair this approach with a purposeful networking strategy to uncover the hidden job market.

Here are 10 tips to help you apply for a job online and really stand out.

1. Update and Proofread Your Resume 

This one is obvious, but don’t rush this. Be introspective and think about everything you have done in your career. Not just the tasks from your last job. I have a very detailed post with 17 tips to help you update your resume.

Think about all the changes you have experienced throughout your career and how you had to adapt:

• Personnel: New boss, new direct reports or coworkers?

• Company: Was there a merger, acquisition, IPO, restructuring?

• Software: Did you have to learn new tools like Salesforce, Monday, Jira, Basecamp, etc?

• Projects: How did you work and projects change over the years?

• Recognition:  Did you earn any official awards or recognition that is resume-worthy?

Most people don’t update their resumes regularly. So, you can be caught off guard when a layoff happens. Your first instinct is to immediately start sending out resumes, I get it! Try to take a beat and really fine-tune your resume before you start applying. 

Then, check out this post “12 Ways to Proofread Your Resume.” You don’t want to get rejected because of typos, misspellings, or formatting errors. 

Run it through an online resume checker or ATS scanner to make sure it’s optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS).

This base resume becomes your starting point for every future application.

2. Get Clear on What You Want 

If you walked into a restaurant and said, "Bring me a sandwich," you might get something you don’t even like. The same goes for your job search. I have another related post to help you think through all the details around what you want in your next job. 

• What kind of job title are you looking for?

• What projects and responsibilities do you want?

• What kind of team or company culture excites you?

• Are you looking for part-time jobs, full-time roles, or specific company types?

• Are you targeting certain industries?

• What are your career goals?

Make a checklist based on your priorities. This will help you evaluate whether a job posting is a good fit or not. This will also help you narrow down the jobs so you can be more selective and spend more time on fewer applications.

Do you want remote work, hybrid, onsite?

A quick way to give yourself a better chance is to go local. When you go afte 100% remote jobs, you are competing with the whole country!  Some jobs get over 1,000 applicants!  Try focusing on your local market. You may find that those jobs are also remote but they want to recruit locally. 

3. Be Selective 

Skim the job description carefully. Does it match your checklist? Do the job requirements excite you? 

Do you meet 80-90% of the qualifications? Try using AI tools to compare your resume to the job description.  ChatGPT is a free tool I use when I help people with their resumes. Try uploading the job description and ask it to compare your resume to the job description and identify any skills you lack. You can also ask it to identify the key knockout questions. I strongly encourage you to tinker with it!

4. Research the Company 

Found a job that looks promising? Now it’s time to do some homework:

• Visit the company’s website and scan their About Us and Career pages. Review how the company talks about its mission, values, and team.

• Check their social media channels like LinkedIn and Instagram. See if you can get a feel for their culture.

• Use review sites like Glassdoor or Reddit to read what job applicants and employees are saying. You can read reviews from the employee perspective. These are anonymous and brutally honest!

• Google the company with phrases like "[Company Name] work culture" or "Why I left [Company Name]"

If it doesn’t feel right, don’t hit that apply button. Save your energy for the open jobs with companies that deserve you!

5. Start the Application Form 

This step can be frustrating. Every company has a different process. Some ask for personal information upfront, while others require you to create an account. That’s why I suggest doing the research and weeding out companies and jobs that aren’t a fit and not worth your time. 

My goal in starting the application is to see whether or not they ask for a cover letter.  

This is where you’ll confirm if they request a cover letter. 

6. Tailor Your Resume 

This does not mean rewriting the entire resume. This involves some mild customization of your base resume for each specific position. I have an entire article dedicated to customizing your resume for each job:  6 Steps: How to Tailor Your Resume for Every Job, but these tips will get you going:

• Do a "File Save As" of your existing resume and name your file something like "ABC Company_Your Name_Resume" so you keep your base resume for the future.

• Match keywords from the job description (e.g., change "customer service" to "customer care" if that’s what they use)

• Focus on your related experience. Consider removing unrelated bullet points.

Like I said above, use tools like ChatGPT to compare the job description with your resume and identify missing keywords or skills, and offer rewrites and edits to strengthen your resume for that specific job. These small tweaks can make a big difference in the hiring process.

7. Write a Cover Letter (If Requested) 

Cover letters are debatable. It’s really up to you. I have had recruiters tell me not to waste my time, but I am old school. I believe they can help tell my story and get me to that first interview.

Not every company requires one. But if the application form includes a space for it, I think you should write one. 

If you are going to write a cover letter, it has to be really good!  If you are going to use the same cover letter for all jobs, don’t bother. 

You can create a starter cover letter template that you can customize. You can use a basic opening and closing paragraph and customize the middle section that ties your experience to their job. 

Based on your research above, if the application website allows for a separate cover letter file, do another File/Save As and name the cover letter with the company name and your name.

Pro Tip: If the research showed the application only allows one file to be uploaded and you still want to include a cover letter, then make your cover letter the first page of your resume PDF or Word doc and sneak it in!

8. Apply for the Job 

Upload your tailored resume and cover letter. Double-check that your contact information is correct. Complete the entire application and hit submit.

9. Track Your Applications 

Keep an Excel spreadsheet or Google Sheet. Include:

• Job title

• Date you applied

• Company name

• Source (job boards, company websites, etc.)

• Link to the original job posting

• Status of your application

This helps you follow up and prepare for interviews later. You may get surprised a month or two later with an interview request, and this process will help you find the original post to be better prepared. Saving your tailored resume with the company name will help you see what changes you made. 

10. Research Contacts on LinkedIn 

If the job post doesn’t mention a hiring manager, do a little digging:

• Search for "HR or Human Resources at [Company Name]" or "Recruiter at [Company Name]"

• Find the company profile on LinkedIn. It will show you connections you have at the company.  If you know them fairly well, reach out and ask them if they know they hiring manager for your role or if they will pass your resume along

• You will increase your chances of an interview if you can go through a live human! Sometimes, the only way to get noticed is through a real person. Sending a thoughtful message can leave a good impression and increase your chances.

• If you subscribe to LinkedIn Premium, you get more credits to send cold messages to people you are not connected to.

Final Thoughts 

Going through a job search isn’t easy, especially when you're juggling emotions, bills, and uncertainty. But by slowing down, being more strategic and selective, targeting the right open positions, and taking the time to tailor each application, you’ll have a better shot at finding the right job and standing out to potential employers. 

You’ve got this!

Footnote: If this makes you too uncomfortable, that's ok. Not all of my advice is right for everyone. I have a post on that too! Trust your gut!