The job application process can be daunting. It can be more stressful when you know you are competing against other qualified candidates. How do you grab the hiring manager’s attention and make an unforgettable impact? By adding a dash of creativity to the mix. Go the extra mile and follow these tips to make your application stand out from the crowd.

1. Connect, connect, connect

When applying for a job, do some research on the company and their employees. Find someone in the industry and connect with them - be it on Social media or in person. Don’t be afraid to walk up to a company’s decision maker and simply fire up a conversation. Express your love for the company. Hiring managers recognize passion and are intrigued by people with the knowledge for the field and their organization. A great impression is something that sticks and can ultimately lead to an interview.

2. Upgrade your CV

9 out of the 10 times, your CV will be the first contact you will have with a hiring manager. Your CV can not only communicate your skills and qualifications, but it can also say something about you. It is the first impression hiring managers, and recruiters alike get from you. This is your make or break moment. It is important to keep in mind that hiring managers receive dozens of CV’s daily. What happens when you are competing with candidates with the same qualifications as yours? Your application risks getting lost in the sea of candidates. Spruce up your CV to stand out. How you ask? What about using a heavier paperweight. Adding special print finishes to your CV makes it visually and texturally more appealing. Do the extra effort and deliver your CV personally. Humans are visual creatures. Combined with a great texture, it is impossible for hirers to forget you.

3. Make sure that your talents stand out

A great way to reach the level of top of mind for hiring managers is to find an ingenious way to show that you are the one true candidate for the job. This tip works best with creative positions, but can also be modified to cater to more traditional roles. A candidate that was looking to land his dream job as a designer went about his application more creatively. He reversed the application process by designing a medicine package with a leaflet inside that says “Look no further, I am here to relieve your problems”. He had this sent by postal services addressed to the hiring manager and received a phone call not short after. He got the job! For more traditional applications an idea can be to research the company or the company’s client and write a report about this. Instead of reading what your talent is, the company can see it in action, and if done right, you will surely be the talk of the town.

4. Offer something in return

Picture this. You applied for a position that requires you to have a set amount of years of experience. You know you do not have as many years of work experience, but you are up to date with how the field works and you are sure that you are the perfect candidate for the job. How do you convince the hirers that you can do the job? Make them a great offer. Before we go into this, it is important to mention that confidence goes a long way. If you know that you can perform the job the way the hiring managers expect, show self-confidence. But, be sure not to confuse self-confidence with ego. Keep your ego in check whilst drawing people in with your confidence. What if you offer the hiring manager to take you on as an unpaid trainee for 2 weeks? Show what you can do in those two weeks. And, if you really can do what you said you can do, there will be no reason not to keep you on the team. Note: Make sure your offer does not come across as begging. No hiring manager wants to be put in that situation.

5. Be yourself and show kindness

Our last tip would be to be yourself. There is no need to pretend to be someone you are not during your interview. You risk coming of as fake and hiring managers will easily catch on to that. The idea of being kind is often overlooked in favor of qualities and work ethic. But kindness, generosity and respect provide a lot of social benefit for you and the recipient. Remember that your first impression makes a lasting impression. By being kind you are able to improve your networking opportunities - because you are more open and approachable - but it can also have a mirroring affect and can lead to others to act in the same way. So go ahead. Show your kindness next time during an interview (or simply when you are trying to make a good impression).

So what are you waiting on? Use one or a combination of these tips to get one step closer to landing your dream job.