How to land your dream job
Written and accurate as at: Nov 14, 2025 Current Stats & Facts
The job market is more competitive than ever these days, and standing out takes more than just a polished resume. Whether you’re fresh out of uni, chasing a higher salary, or hoping to make the jump to a different field, here are a few tips to help you stand out.
Leverage your network
Many great jobs are never advertised publicly – they’re filled through conversations and referrals. That’s why it’s so important to lean on your network when you’re looking for a new role.
Be open to quick chats over coffee or catchups over the phone. Attend industry events to meet new people, and don’t underestimate the power of online platforms like LinkedIn. The larger your network, the greater the chance your name will pop into someone’s head when an opportunity comes up.
Avoid generic applications
Try to resist the urge to use the same resume and cover letter for different jobs. Hiring teams can usually tell when they’re getting the same application that ten other companies have, and it’s rarely appreciated.
To really give yourself a chance, make an effort to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job and company you’re applying for. Look at the essential requirements in the job listing and let the hiring team know you tick all the important boxes.
And remember: employers often rely on programs that screen resumes based on certain keywords, so make sure yours matches the language used in the job description. Just don’t overdo it and stuff your resume with so many keywords that it’s no longer readable by humans.
Highlight your success stories
When crafting your resume, a common mistake is to simply list your day-to-day tasks. While this might paint a useful picture, it’s your accomplishments that will really set you apart from other candidates.
Think about the unique value you brought to each of your past roles. Did you mentor new staff, lead a successful project, or find a way to make some burdensome process more efficient? These are the achievements that will really catch an employer’s eye. They demonstrate you have the initiative to go beyond what’s laid out in your job description and can be a meaningful contributor to your team’s success.
Practice before the interview
Before the big day, practice answering common interview questions and prepare short, specific examples that showcase your skills and achievements. Hiring teams value clear responses, so try to structure your answers using the STAR method (situation, task, action, result).
And it goes without saying, but authenticity matters. Your interviewer probably won’t appreciate you exaggerating your skillset, and they definitely won’t like you taking a minute after each question to consult an AI chatbot for answers, no matter how stealthy you think you’re being.
Have the right attitude
Don’t underestimate how important cultural fit is to a hiring team. If the choice comes down to two people with identical skillsets, the job will probably go to the person with the better attitude.
From your initial application to the final interview, make sure you show enthusiasm for the role and are respectful to the people you’re dealing with. Be mindful of the impression you’re giving off too. Some behaviours – like badmouthing past employers or not knowing anything about the company you’re applying for – are surefire ways to lose credibility in an interviewer’s eyes.
Applying for jobs can be tiresome, and there’s no guarantee there will be an offer on the other side. But every application, interview and conversation is an opportunity to learn, grow and get closer to the role that’s right for you.
