The Power of Personalization: How to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market

In today's crowded job market, standing out is not just a bonus-it's a necessity. As highlighted in a recent post by Ric Gravina , a hiring manager in Product & Design, he received 160 applications for a position in just three hours. Read this post for your reference. With this volume of candidates, it's no wonder hiring managers are becoming selective based on more than just qualifications. They want to see who's going the extra mile.

To be honest, I had always hesitated to write about job application strategies because it felt like everyone had already written about it. But after reading Ric's post, it struck me just how many job seekers overlook the importance of personalizing their applications. I've found that it's not about doing something extraordinary, but about showing that you've put thought into how you present yourself.

In this article, I'll not only explain the importance of personalization but also share specific examples from my experience that have helped me get noticed.

Why Personalization Matters?

Let's start with the basics. Personalization can make your application more than just another name in the sea of resumes. It helps show that you care about this job, this company, and this role--not just that you're job hunting. Here's an example from Ric's post:

• Example 1: The Broken Portfolio Link

Ric shared that if your portfolio link isn't easily accessible or doesn't work, he won't bother with your application.

Imagine you're a designer applying for a job, and the hiring manager can't even see your work. That's an instant red flag, and your application will get skipped.

Lesson: Ensure your portfolio link is functional and easy to find. Always double check your links before submitting an application.

But personalization doesn't stop with working links. It's about tailoring your entire application to reflect that you understand the company's needs and are genuinely interested in the role.

How I Customize My Applications

1. Creating a custom portfolio

One of the strategies I've used in the past to stand out is creating a customized portfolio for every job I apply to. I use Canva to design a standard deck of my work. But I don't stop there-each time I apply for a job, I tweak the deck by adding relevant projects, incorporating style guides used by the company to make sure it's tailored to the company and the specific role.

• Example 2: Tailoring Projects to the Company's Need. For example, I once applied to a health tech company. Instead of sending my general portfolio, I customized it to focus on my work in healthcare space. I included projects where I designed patient-facing apps and user-friendly healthcare dashboards. This demonstrated that I understood the industry, the common challenges faced in a health tech company and the hiring manager understands and is able to imagine you in the role for the role you're interviewing for.

On another occasion, I applied for a fintech tole, and I tailored my portfolio to highlight my experience designing financial tools and user dashboards. By showing that my experience aligned with their focus, I made my application more relevant and memorable.

Lesson: Adjust your portfolio based on the company's focus. Highlight projects that match the role you're applying for to show that you've done your homework.

But what if you don't have direct experience in the industry you're applying to?

• Example 3: Applying for Roles in Fields Where You Don't Have Specific Experience

Let's say you're applying for a job in a field where you don't have direct project experience-like moving from e-commerce design into healthcare or fintech. Here's how you can still make your portfolio stand out:

a) Transferable Skills: Focus on the skills you've developed that are applicable across industries. For example, if you've worked on user research in e-commerce, emphasize how that experience can translate into healthcare by focusing on how you conducted research to improve user journeys and satisfaction, which is equally relevant in healthcare.

b) Problem-Solving Approach: Industries may be different, but problem-solving methods are often similar. When applying for a job in a new field, highlight the processes and methodologies you used in past projects. For instance, showcase your expertise in design-thinking or user-centered design approaches that can be applied to solving problems in any sector.

c) Side Projects: If you're breaking into a new industry and don't have direct experience, consider working on a small side project. You can design a conceptual app or dashboard based on what you know about the industry. For example, if you're applying to a healthcare startup but no healthcare experience, create a mock project that showcases how you would redesign a patient portal to make it more user-friendly. This shows initiative and creativity, even without professional experience in the field.

Lesson: When you don't have direct experience in the field, focus on the skills, methodologies, and side projects that demonstrate you can adapt and excel in any industry.

2. Using AI to Tailor My Resume and Cover Letter (While Adding a Personal Touch)

AI tools can be incredibly helpful for personalizing your applications quickly and efficiently. I use ResumAI by Wonsulting to help me tailor my resume and CoverLetterAI, by Wonsulting for cover letters that highlights the exact skills and experience mentioned in the job description.

However, it's critical to remember that AI should never replace your personal voice. While AI tools can help with structure and formatting, they cannot capture the unique qualities that make you stand out as an individual. You need to put your own personal touch on the output.

Example 4: Customizing Resumes Based on Job Descriptions

When applying for a UX Designer role at a startup, I used ResumAI by Wonsulting to create a resume that emphasized my user research and conversion rate optimization work-two key skills the job required. After generating the initial resume, I went in and personalized the language, making sure it felt like me and reflected my genuine experience. For example, I added a section about how I worked closely with cross-functional teams to understand the user pain points-something I knew was essential for this specific role.

Example 5: Personalizing Cover Letters

Cover letters are often considered as the "Golden Playbook" for hiring managers. While many people believe "no one reads cover letters", it's important to remember that some do-and those that do are often the ones who care most about finding the right fit for their team. In fact, if even one out of ten hiring managers genuinely reads your cover letter, you've gained a critical advantage. Your job is to make sure that when that one hiring manager reads your letter, they see something genuine, insightful, and tailored to their needs.

For a nonprofit role, CoverLetterAI, by Wonsulting helped me draft a cover letter, but I took a step further. The nonprofit had a strong focus on social impact, so I personalized the letter by mentioning my volunteer experience and how their mission aligned with my personal values. I also added a personal anecdote about why social impact work was meaningful to me. This added touch showed that I wasn't just looking for any job- I was passionate about their work.

Lesson: AI can help you get started, but always take the time to personalize the output. Add your voice, personal experiences, and reasons for wanting the role. This makes your application feel more genuine and helps you connect with the hiring manager on a personal level.

Networking: A personal Approach

Beyond customizing your application materials, networking is a powerful tool to help you stand out. Personalized networking can build relationships that make your application more than just another resume in a pile.

3. Researching Recruiters and Hiring Managers

Whenever I reach out to a recruiter or hiring manager, I always make sure to research their profile. I look at their previous posts, the projects they've worked on, and their professional interests. This helps me craft a connection request that feels authentic and relevant.

Example 6: Engaging with a Hiring Manager's Post

For example, I once across a hiring manager who had posted an article about design systems. I commented on the post, sharing my own experience working on similar systems. When I sent a connection request, I referenced the article and shared why I found it insightful. This personal touch tuned a cold connection into a meaningful conversation, rather than simply asking for a referral or application consideration.

Lesson: Before reaching out to hiring managers, look for something in their profile you can genuinely connect with. Whether it's a recent post or article they wrote, finding common ground makes your outreach more authentic.

4. Crafting Personalized Connection Requests

When sending connection requests, I avoid generic messages like, "I'm looking for a job, can you help?" Instead, I craft personalized notes that reflect something specific about the hiring manager or the company.

Example 7: A Thoughtful Connection Note

When I sent a connection request to the Head of Design at a company I admired, I didn't mention jobs at first. Instead, I referenced a recent product launch the company had and shared why I was impressed with their design approach. This approach led to genuine conversation, which eventually resulted in a referral, but it started with building a rapport, not asking for a favor.

Lesson: Personalize your connection requests to show that you're not just looking for a job-you're interested in building a relationship.

Why Personalization is Key

So why does personalization work? Because it shows that you've taken the time to understand the role, the company, and the people you're reaching out to. It's not about applying to as many jobs as possible-it's about making each applicant count.

• It shows effort. Personalizing your application proves that you're not just sending out a generic resume-you've put thought into how you're presenting yourself for this specific job.
• It makes you memorable. Hiring managers remember candidates who go the extra mile to alight their skills and experiences with the company's needs.
• It builds relationships. Networking is more effective when you are able to relate to the person. People are more likely to help you if they feel you're genuinely interested in them, not just what they can offer you.

Conclusion: Personalization as Your Superpower

In today's competitive job market, personalization is they key to standing out. Whether it's ensuring your portfolio links works (so you don't get passed over automatically like Ric would do), customizing your resume with AI (while adding your personal voice), or building authentic relationships through thoughtful networking, taking the extra step to personalize your approach can make all the difference.

Remember, while not every hiring manager may read your cover letter, those who do will appreciate the effort you put in & you're already in the hiring manager's good books and this one person could be the only difference between landing an interview or not. It's not about volume-it's about quality and genuine connection.

With tools like Canva for portfolio customization and Wonsulting for resume generation, and by engaging meaningfully with hiring managers, you can create applications that generate offer letters. By showing hiring managers that you've taken the time to personalize your application to their company & role, you're proving that you care- and that's what makes you memorable in a crowded job market.

I have also written an article about standing out in the interviews by creating a 30-60-90 day plan for your hiring manager, it is another great skill that is going to help you turn interviews into a job offer. Here is the link.