Hope isn’t a strategy in today’s job market. If you’ve been applying and hearing nothing back, you’re not alone. Recruiters face an overload of candidates, AI filters resume instantly, and competition is fierce. To stand out, you need a system that helps you get hired faster, impress employers, and stay in control.
This blog will show you how you can start building a strong resume, finding real opportunities, connecting with the right people, and staying visible in the hiring process with proven tips from 20 years in recruitment from Mexa Solutions Director, Simon Bath
Build Your Resume So That It Gets Results
Recruiters typically spend around 30 seconds on a resume, with some reviewing it in under 10 seconds. That is all the time you have to make an impression. Your goal is to show relevant skills, experience, and impact in a way that instantly grabs attention and proves you are worth a closer look.
Here is how to create a resume that gets noticed and opens interview doors:
- Start strong with a short profile summary. Use 4 to 7 focused lines to highlight who you are, what you do best, and what kind of roles you are targeting. This gives employers immediate context before they dive into your work history.
- Put technical skills on page one. Bullet point them clearly so hiring managers and AI filters can spot your expertise instantly.
- Keep it clean and professional. Stick to 2 to 3 pages. Skip photos, logos, and birth dates as they add no value and can distract from your achievements.
- Focus on outcomes, not duties. Replace vague descriptions with results that show measurable impact.
Weak: “Responsible for Azure migration.”
Strong: “Led Azure migration for 40 apps, cutting costs by 23 percent and improving deployment frequency.” - Make it ATS friendly. Avoid tables, text boxes, or complex formatting that can confuse Applicant Tracking Systems.
- Highlight your certifications and education. List key qualifications and degrees that add credibility. If earlier schooling is decades old, leave it off.
- Include a clickable LinkedIn URL. Recruiters will look you up, so make it easy for them to find you.
- Use bold text for key phrases. This improves readability and helps recruiters scan for relevant experience.
- Keep it current. Remove roles older than 20 years and focus on experience that reflects today’s technology and market trends.
Remember, your resume is not one-size-fits-all. Create two or three focused versions designed around similar roles, for example, Solution Architect or Consultant. When applying for a job, make small adjustments to emphasize the most relevant skills and achievements for that specific opportunity.
This balance between consistency and customization saves time while keeping every application targeted and impactful.
Set Smart Job Alerts and Stay Ahead
Speed wins. On average, 30 – 40 candidates apply in the first hour after a posting goes live. To improve your chances of getting an interview, you must act fast.
Here’s how to stay in the loop:
LinkedIn:
Create job alerts by role and location by turning on notifications.
Add company-specific alerts for your top 20 employers as an extra.
Reed, CV-Library, TotalJobs:
Repeat the process and filter by salary or job type.
For contract roles, use JobServe.
Google Jobs:
Search “Power Platform Developer UK Permanent.”
Click “Turn on alerts.”
Company Careers Pages:
Track your target companies and subscribe for updates and alerts on any new vacancies.
Pro tip: Check your alerts 2-3 times daily or use real-time notifications to stay ahead of the pack.
Apply Early
Don’t wait for the “perfect moment.” If you send your application on day four, it will be buried under dozens of others, making it much harder to stand out.
To stay ahead, apply as soon as the job is posted. Early applicants are twice as likely to be shortlisted, so every minute truly counts.
Skip the cover letter, as most hiring managers won’t read it. Instead, focus on submitting the most relevant version of your CV tailored to that specific role.
The Follow Up
This is the Secret Weapon Most Candidates Ignore. Submitting your CV is just the first step in the application process. The candidates who stand out do not stop there; they follow up. Smart applicants reach out within 24 to 48 hours of applying to make sure their interest is noticed.
If you applied through a recruitment agency, take a moment to find the recruiter on LinkedIn. Send them a message or call their office directly. If you applied directly to the company, reach out to the Talent Acquisition team or even the hiring manager.
Can’t make a call? A short, professional message works just as well:
“Hi [Name], I recently applied for the [Role Title] position and wanted to confirm receipt. I’m very interested in this opportunity and believe my background aligns well with your team’s needs. I’d love to connect.”
This small but strategic step does more than just confirm your application. It moves you to the top of the recruiter’s mind and inbox, increasing your chances of being noticed and progressing to the next stage.
Activate Your Network
You already know people who can help you land your next role but you just haven’t reached out yet. The key is to make your network work for you.
Here are three ways to leverage your connections:
- Turn on “Open to Work” on LinkedIn
This simple step signals to recruiters that you are open to new opportunities. It increases your visibility in searches and puts you on the radar of hiring managers actively looking for candidates. - Post publicly that you’re job searching
Sharing a professional post about your search can have a ripple effect. Your network can comment, share, and even tag opportunities you might not see otherwise. This expands your reach far beyond your immediate contacts. - Reconnect with old contacts
Reach out to former colleagues, clients, or interviewers. Send short, thoughtful messages asking for insights or advice. These conversations often uncover hidden opportunities that are never publicly advertised.
Remember, networking is not about begging for jobs. It is about staying visible, staying top-of-mind, and creating authentic connections that open doors naturally.
Strengthen Your Interview Readiness
Landing an interview is just the first step. To stand out, start by researching the company’s mission, products, and leadership team. Familiarity with the organisation shows genuine interest and allows you to tailor your responses.
Next, prepare examples from your portfolio that highlight problem-solving, teamwork, and real achievements. Be ready to discuss your adaptability and willingness to learn, as employers value candidates who can grow with the role.
Anticipate common questions like “Tell me about yourself” and “Why should we hire you?” and always finish by asking a thoughtful question that shows engagement, such as “How do you define success for this role?” These small touches demonstrate confidence and awareness.
Following these interview tips signals that you’re prepared, confident, and ready to impress employers.
Keep Momentum
By following these steps and putting these interview strategies into practice, you demonstrate professionalism and show that you are a prepared, confident candidate. These thoughtful actions not only help you stand out but also leave a lasting impression on employers, signaling that you take the process seriously and are ready to contribute from day one.
How Mexa Solutions Can Help
Finding the right role and standing out in a competitive job market isn’t always easy. That’s where Mexa Solutions comes in. We help candidates navigate the recruitment process, from making sure your CV showcases your strengths to offering guidance on networking and interview preparation.
With our insights and connections across a range of industries, we can help you get in front of the right people and give your applications the best chance of success. Working with us is not just about applying for jobs but It’s about being supported and feeling confident, every step of the way.
Create Interviews on Purpose, Not by Luck
Getting hired isn’t about luck. It’s about being prepared, staying visible, and building the right connections. When your resume, job alerts, applications, follow-ups, and network all work together, you increase your chances of landing interviews faster and with confidence.
Keep a consistent approach, continue learning, and actively engage with your network. By doing so, you can turn silence into interview invitations and eventually job offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly should I apply for a job once I see it?
You should aim to apply as soon as possible. Early applicants are often more likely to be shortlisted, and applying quickly can help your CV stand out before the role gets buried under dozens of other applications.
How can I make my CV stand out?
Use a version of your CV that is specific to the role, highlighting relevant achievements and skills. Concrete examples of problem-solving, teamwork, and results always make a stronger impression.
How can I leverage my network to find hidden opportunities?
Reconnecting with former colleagues, clients, or mentors can uncover opportunities that aren’t publicly advertised. Being visible and engaging with your network can also lead to referrals and recommendations.
This blog was written by Simon Bath, Director and Founder of Mexa Solutions.
