How to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market  

Finding tech jobs in a competitive market feels like trying to score a table at the newest trendy cafe on a Saturday morning. The contest is fierce, thanks to the logic of supply and demand.

While it can seem a little tough out there when you're searching for a role, take heart: demand for skills remains strong in many domains. The key is knowing how to stand out when applying for jobs. To land a new job, your mission is to convey why you'd make a great hire without saying the exact same things everyone else is saying. Here are practical pointers on how to do just that.  

Build a Clean and Sharp CV  

By 'clean' and 'sharp', we mean uncluttered, easy to read and straight to the point. Think in terms of bullet points and stats to highlight your best and most relevant work.   

Use sensible formatting  

We recommend avoiding overly designed CVs created in tools like Canva or Adobe. Instead, stick with web-friendly fonts and standard formatting to ensure readability. As a general guide, aim for around one page of content per decade of experience. Focus on relevant roles, projects, and outcomes that align with the position you're targeting. Trimming older or less applicable content will help keep your CV sharp and purposeful. 

Highlight your most in-demand skills  

Product Management/Development - Demonstrate an understanding of user needs, stakeholder management, and data-driven decision-making. Case studies are your friend.  

Data Analytics - Showcase practical applications of your analytical skills. Build dashboards, write about data trends, or work on real-world datasets.  

Show your impact with numbers   

Outline both your responsibilities and what you achieved in each role. Employers want to understand the scope of your work as well as the impact you made. Wherever possible, quantify your success. Did you optimise an app that reduced load time by 30%? Lead a product launch that increased revenue? Use numbers to show the difference you made. This helps paint a clearer picture of your capabilities and value. 

Ditch the generic and AI buzzwords   

If your CV is stuffed with "hardworking," "team player," and "motivated individual," congratulations - you sound like everyone else. Write your CV in your own language so it sounds like you and let your achievements convey your qualities.   

Tailor it to the role  

One-size-fits-all might work for ponchos, but not for CVs, so it's best to tweak yours to match each role you apply for. Highlight your relevant experience (languages, frameworks, APIs, databases, product experience, etc.) using the keywords in the job description.   

Pro tip: When you are applying for similar roles, use a template that you can quickly change on the fly for each job application. This can help you save time while job hunting.    

Maintain Your GitHub and Portfolio  

For developer jobs, keeping your GitHub up to date is just as important as your CV. The last thing you want is to be let down by a profile that looks like an abandoned MySpace page. When maintained well, your GitHub will demonstrate your knowledge of programming languages, problem-solving skills, frameworks knowledge, and how you contribute to projects.  

To build a solid GitHub profile:  

• Keep your repo structured and readable. Ensure your projects have logical folder groupings rather than a chaotic dump of files. 
• Write clear README files that explain what your code does, how to run it, and why it matters. 
• Write helpful commit messages that explain what changed and why. This will read much better than something like, "fixed stuff". 
• Keep your code in line with industry standards. Use meaningful variable names, follow conventions, and don't go overboard with unnecessary comments.  

In summary, maintain your GitHub as if your future employer will be reading it, because they will!  

For UI and UX designers, a well-presented portfolio is just as important. Hiring managers want to see how you approach problems, your design thinking, and how your work has translated into user outcomes. Whether hosted on a personal website or platforms like Behance or Dribbble, your portfolio should show real projects, explain your process, and clearly present the final product. Make sure the layout reflects your eye for design and is easy to navigate. 

Use LinkedIn with a Tech Recruiter in Mind  

If your LinkedIn profile is just a digital dumping ground for your job history, you're missing a trick. As dev, product and data talent specialists, here are the strategies we recommend for a strong LinkedIn profile.   

Professional yet personal   

Your summary should read like you wrote it. Tell a bit of your story - what drives you? What problems do you love solving?  

Optimise for search  

Tech recruiters use LinkedIn like Google, so pack your profile with relevant keywords (e.g., "Software Engineer," "Product Manager," "Data Analytics").  

Engage with others  

LinkedIn is not just for scrolling. You'll get the best results by focusing on engagement. Make thoughtful comments and share your insights in the comments. Connect with your peers (without being that person who randomly spams "Hi, let's connect").   

Post your own content   

Aim to post once or twice a week about your work or industry. Thoughtful posts spark show that you know your stuff, which helps put you on the radar of recruiters and hiring managers.   

Get recommendations   

Ask colleagues or managers for a few glowing words about your skills to add credibility to your profile.  Timing is key here, however. When a colleague is leaving your organisation, offering to write them a recommendation first can make it easier to ask for one in return. Similarly, if you've just completed a major project with a team, it's a natural time to exchange recommendations while your contributions are fresh in their minds.  

Think in Terms of Personal Brand  

Be the name that pops up. While not all of us can become industry-famous, it is possible to create a personal brand that makes you an appealing candidate for the tech jobs you want.   

The reason we've given tips on being active on LinkedIn and GitHub is because these platforms help you establish a positive reputation that includes your skill set, experience and special interests.   

Looking beyond online profiles, other ways to build a strong personal brand include getting out there and meeting people. There hasn't been a better time to be part of New Zealand's tech community, with plenty of meetups and events throughout the year giving you opportunities to meet your peers. Get involved, share your knowledge, and build visibility.   

We've got more tips on how to start face-to-face networking purposefully and without the awkward bits - read it here.    

The Big Picture  

To stand out when applying for jobs, especially in tech, your CV is just the starting point. It also helps to build a strong online presence, demonstrate your work effectively, and engage with the industry. Do that, and before you know it, you'll be receiving more job offers than you can shake an oat latte at. Two sugars, please.  

Stand Out with the Help of a NZ Tech Recruiter   

Still searching for that perfect tech job? Sometimes, having an expert in your corner makes all the difference. A recruiter who truly understands the ins and outs of software development, product management, and data analytics roles can save you a lot of time and effort. That would be us! Drop us a message or give us a call to discuss how we can help you land your next big opportunity.