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12 tips to stand out as a job candidate

Written by: Stephen Pamnani, Recruitment Account Manager
Published on: 30 Aug 2023

In many cases the job market is competitive regardless of how many years of experience you have. Often hundreds if not thousands of people apply for the same role. Finding a role could be a quick and easy process or challenging. As a job candidate taking a proactive approach may increase your chances to find an ideal role. 

Here are 12 tips on how to stand out as a job candidate. 

Tip 1: CV - Tailored and easy to navigate CV.

The job search process starts with a CV. Hiring managers or people involved in the recruitment process review and sift many CVs. Having a tailored and easy to navigate CV is very useful for several reasons:

  • It illustrates the right information quicker.
  • It makes finding the information faster.
  • It demonstrates attention to detail and effort.

This is especially important if you have not reviewed your CV in many years.

Tip 2: Interviews - Dressing appropriately - face to face and virtual interviews.

Interviews are virtual and face to face. Regardless of the format it is best to dress appropriately and approach this with care. Companies have different cultures and a dress code requirement. But even if the dress code is casual, it is best to dress up. Mainly because you are not yet part of the organisation. Ideally dressing in a smart / business fashion is best. Even if the interview is virtual, it is best to dress in a smart way to indicate a level of awareness and preparation.

Tip 3: Upskilling - Showing interest in continues personal and professional development.

In most cases investing additionally in some form of learning on professional level is useful. It expands your professional horizon, knowledge and makes you a better candidate. It also makes you a better conversationalist. More opportunities to talk about your professional path or interests. Attending professional conferences and events, completing courses, obtaining certificates or professional memberships. Reading books in your area of expertise is also very valuable. Adding relevant items from your additional professional development in a CV could increase chances for interview invitations. It also increases the possibility to discuss more broadly during interviews. Additional professional development could mean relevant training done internally within a role (maybe in a previous or current role) and externally under your own initiative.

Law Society Learning gives you easy access to develop the skills and knowledge you need to progress your career while ensuring compliance.

Tip 4: Professional events and networking - attending professional events is often valuable.

Attending professional events increases existing knowledge and network with other professionals in your practice area. In addition, you may learn about new organisations to apply to in future. This includes conferences, seminars, professional events, workshops in the legal industry. Attending professional events may increase knowledge in a particular area. This also provides an opportunity to gain new insights and learn about trends in the legal industry or a specific practice area. 

The Law Society offers a range of events.

Tip 5: Virtual interviews - Background and settings matter.

Often interviews are virtual. In some cases, this makes things easier but there are certain pitfalls. One is the choice of a background or setting. Ideally it should be clean or neutral to minimise distractions. The setting and room, noise, and position should be appropriate. Your settings and place where you take the interview matters. It is best to approach remote interviews the same way you approach face to face interviews.

Tip 6: Cover letter - The right format. 

In many cases the role also requires a cover letter. Often the cover letter may have to follow a specific format. It is useful to follow the job application requirements and submit a cover letter in a format that is expected.

Tip 7: Interview - Asking relevant questions after the interview.

Asking relevant questions after the interview is important. It indicates preparation and interest. It could be about the role, about the organisation, the team or whatever you think is important to ask.

Tip 8: Interview - Researching the company in advance.

Researching the company is important. Knowing your CV and the job description is important but also knowing more about the organisations is vital too. You can be asked questions about the organisation, or you may want to ask specific questions.

Tip 9: Recruitment agency - Knowing what type of a role you want.

Often you may have to work with a recruitment agency. It often matters if you know what you are looking for or want to achieve - type of role, location, contract types, industry etc. It helps to narrow down the search process and recruitment agents will call for relevant opportunities only. This will save time for both parties and you will not go through many roles that are not relevant. Staying open minded and broad is also a good option but narrowing down the requirements may save time and make the process shorter and easier.

Tip 10: A job board - Using a dedicated industry job board.

Using a dedicated industry job board could speed up the job search process. You can find about different roles, employers, and positions available.

The Gazette Jobs offers thousands of law jobs across many practice areas.

Tip 11: Open days - Attending a recruitment open day.

Companies often organise recruitment open days. If relevant, it is useful to attend an open day and find out more about roles, opportunities, and the organisations itself.

Tip 12: Interview - arriving on time both face to face and virtual

Arriving in advance to allow time for unexpected delays is important. Occasionally there are transport issues or technical problems when attending online/virtually. Informing by phone / email etc. in case of delays shows attention to detail and care for the process.