Applying for a job? Unfortunately, the process of being interviewed can feel tricky and stressful. And with many people applying for the same position, it might seem like the odds of your succeeding are low.

Fortunately, there are ways to boost your chances of getting employed. From ensuring your resume shows off your best skills, to making full use of your contacts, here are five tips that could help you land your dream job.

1. Polish your resume

According to Glassdoor, one advertisement for a new corporate opening can attract an average of 250 applications! As employers have to go through hundreds of resumes, it is important for your application to stand out.

Ensure your resume is organised and well-written, with all the required information clearly provided, and make sure there are no misspellings. Do your best to incorporate industry keywords or specific terms to demonstrate you are familiar with the position you are interested in.

While you want to stand out from everyone else, you should also stay professional. Don’t add things like overly bright colours, crazy fonts, or jokes. This will make you stand out, but not in a good way!

2. Emphasise your strengths

Your resume should not just be a lifeless list of everything you have done. Tailor the information so it shows off your skills and talents.

Don’t send the exact same document to every prospective employer; make sure each application highlights the achievements most relevant to the job you are after.

Also, don’t just list things connected with work: mention your soft skills, hobbies and interests. Where possible, tie them in with why you are a great person to employ – for example, a love of running marathons might show you are determined and disciplined.

3. Research the company

Find out as much as you can about the organisation you’re applying to. Be familiar with its mission, culture and working style. Showing interviewers how much you know about their company is a positive sign that demonstrates how serious you are about joining them.

Knowing more about your employers will also benefit you – if you discover something you do not like, you can avoid the company and not end up running into trouble later.

4. Make a positive impression

If you are called in for an interview, make sure to put your best self forward. Dress well and appropriately, be punctual, and make sure you’ve had a good night’s sleep.

Interviews are usually a way for a company’s managers to see how you are in person, so be polite and approachable. As you will be asked questions about yourself and your previous jobs, make sure you are prepared with good answers for everything.

Thank the interviewer afterwards, and wait for them to get back to you. If you are rejected, do not be too discouraged. This does not mean there is anything wrong with you, it simply means there was a candidate who is better suited for the job.

5. Use your networks

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Surveys show that someone who is referred for a job is up to 14 times more likely to be hired than someone without a referral.

Knowing the right person can, therefore, make applying for a new job much easier. Hence, try to network as much as possible. Meet and stay connected with people from all walks of life. Not only will this make your life more interesting, it could also open up opportunities you would never expect.

Also, take advantage of your social media by keeping your Facebook and LinkedIn accounts updated with current information. There are also many vacancies posted on these platforms, so happy hunting, and good luck!

This article was written by Terence Toh of ReSkills.com, a local online education platform aiming to make education affordable and accessible for all. Its ‘OnLive’ classes for adult learners are conducted by qualified and experienced coaches from all around the region.