Quick Answer
It can definitely be worth applying to a job with 100 applicants. While competition may be stiff, you still have a chance of standing out and getting hired if you have the right qualifications and experience. Focus on highlighting your relevant skills, achievements and fit for the role in your application. With a strong resume and cover letter tailored to the job, you can show hiring managers why you’re the best candidate. Don’t let the number of applicants deter you from applying if you’re truly interested in the job.
Should I Apply to a Job With So Much Competition?
Seeing that a job posting has received 100 applicants can feel daunting. You may wonder if it’s even worth taking the time to apply when your application is one of many. Here are some key considerations when deciding whether to apply for a role with lots of competition:
- Assess if you’re actually a good fit. Review the job description closely and evaluate if your background and qualifications make you a strong match for what they’re looking for. If you don’t meet the key requirements, you’ll likely have a hard time standing out.
- Consider the effort needed. Will applying take you a significant amount of time? If customizing your materials for this specific role will require minimal effort, then it may be worth applying even if your chances are slim.
- Evaluate your application strengths. Reflect on what makes you and your application stand out. If you have highly relevant experience, glowing references or unique skills, you may still have an advantage over other applicants.
- Research the company. Is this an employer you’re particularly enthusiastic about? If it’s your dream company, you may want to apply regardless of the competition.
- Assess your other options. How does this role compare to others you’re considering applying for? If you have limited time, you may decide to prioritize opportunities that seem more attainable.
Carefully weigh these factors when deciding if applying makes strategic sense. While there are no guarantees, you can still pursue competitive roles selectively when they align with your qualifications and goals.
How Can I Stand Out Among So Many Applicants?
When you’re up against dozens or even hundreds of applicants, finding ways to differentiate yourself is crucial. Here are some strategies to help your application stand out:
- Highlight matching qualifications. Closely review the job description and specifically demonstrate how your background and skills correspond to their top requirements.
- Showcase relevant achievements. Pick out key accomplishments and metrics that convey the precise experience they’re looking for.
- Align with company values. Research the employer’s mission, culture and brand voice so you can reflect their values in your application.
- Personalize your materials. Go beyond generic resumes and cover letters. Tailor them to this role and this company whenever possible.
- Get internal referrals. Having an employee referral can give your application visibility among the many submissions.
- Follow up thoughtfully. Write targeted thank you notes after interviews reaffirming your fit and enthusiasm.
- Watch your details. Typos and errors can immediately disqualify you. Carefully proofread all materials before submitting.
Standing out comes down to understanding exactly what the hiring manager seeks and proving you’re the candidate who meets that need. Distilling your best skills, conveying your motivation for the role and demonstrating a strong cultural fit can help your application get attention.
How Can I Make My Resume Stand Out?
When an employer is sifting through piles of resumes, you want yours to grab attention right away. Consider these tips to make your resume stand out:
- Use a distinctive but professional format. Avoid bland, traditional resume templates. Opt for an easy-to-read format that highlights your value.
- Open with a powerful summary. Replace the objective statement with an engaging summary that sells your top strengths and skills.
- Include keyword phrases. Sprinkle in relevant words and phrases from the job ad throughout your resume where applicable.
- Quantify achievements. Use facts and figures to back up your accomplishments to make them more compelling.
- Emphasize relevant sections. Expand sections with the most important experience and give them prime real estate up top.
- Use bold fonts and dividers. Make your resume visually distinctive without going overboard. Section headers and key details can stand out in bold.
- Check for errors. Typos or inconsistencies in a resume immediately raise red flags. Verify accuracy across every detail.
- Match to the role. Every resume you submit should align with the target job. Highlight the most applicable skills for each application.
With strategic formatting, compelling content and a careful eye for mistakes, your resume can grab attention even when it’s one of many in the pile.
How Can I Set My Cover Letter Apart?
An outstanding cover letter is also essential for setting your application apart. Here are tips for making your cover letter memorable:
- Hook them in the first line. Grab attention with an impressive fact about your achievements or a compelling statement on your purpose and motivation.
- Focus on their needs. Orient the letter around how you can fulfill their current challenges, priorities and goals.
- Reinforce key qualifications. Echo important requirements from the job description, matching your background to what they seek.
- Showcase soft skills. Beyond your resume, the cover letter is a chance to highlight “intangibles” like work ethic, problem-solving and communication abilities.
- Convey alignment. Emphasize how your values, passions or personality fits the company culture based on your research.
- End memorably. Close by recapping how your assets specifically meet their needs and restating your enthusiasm.
- Watch tone and style. Adapt your tone to the company’s brand voice. Triple check for typos and errors.
- Use strategic personalization. Address them by name and title. Reference specific details about the company and role to show it’s customized.
A generic cover letter won’t make you memorable in a large applicant pool. Treat it as an opportunity to connect the dots on why you’re the only applicant who meets this company’s particular needs.
How Can I Improve My Chances In the Interview?
The interview is your opportunity to truly demonstrate why you’re the top candidate. Here are strategies to help your interview performance stand out:
- Practice extensively. Rehearse your answers to common questions so you can polish your responses.
- Review your resume and their website. Refresh yourself on your top selling points and key information about the company right before the interview.
- Ask thoughtful questions. When they ask if you have questions, be ready with strategic ones that show your understanding of the role and company.
- Watch your communication skills. Beyond content, présent yourself professionally. Make eye contact, sit upright and avoid nervous mannerisms.
- Emphasize your cultural fit. Share how your values and work style align with details you know about their mission and environment.
- Express enthusiasm. Convey excitement about the opportunity to join the company and tackle the challenges discussed.
- Follow up promptly. Quickly send thank you notes highlighting your top qualifications and restating your interest.
- Check references. Ensure you have reliable contacts who can reinforce the positive impression made in the interview.
The interview often represents your best opportunity to move ahead of the competition. Be ready to impress them with your professionalism, preparation and genuine passion for the company.
What If I Don’t Hear Back After Applying?
It’s unfortunately common not to receive responses from prospective employers, especially when you’ve applied to a popular role. If you don’t hear back after submitting your application:
- Be patient. Some employers take weeks to work through applications. Allow reasonable time for a response.
- Follow up once. Send one email politely checking in on the status after what you feel is sufficient time.
- Don’t take it personally. With piles of submissions, they likely didn’t review yours closely yet. The lack of response is not necessarily a judgement on you.
- Move forward with other options. Don’t pin your hopes on one application. Keep actively applying and interviewing for other opportunities.
- Review for red flags. Was there anything in your application that could have been improved? Use it as a learning experience.
- Consider following up again if you have an internal contact. Additional outreach from an employee may help get your application visibility.
- Request feedback if rejected. It can be helpful to know why you weren’t selected if you have a contact to provide coaching.
The lack of response to an application is frustrating but common. With persistence, care and practice in promoting yourself, you can improve the odds of hearing back for future roles.
Conclusion
While applying for a job with 100 other applicants can seem daunting, you should not let it discourage you from submitting an application if the role is a strong match. With meticulous care on your resume and cover letter, sharp preparation for the interview and persistence, you can demonstrate how your unique background makes you the ideal choice over other candidates. Rather than viewing it as an impossible feat, see it as an opportunity to rise to the occasion and earn the role by showing why you are the most qualified choice. If you have the motivation and align with the position, a highly competitive application can be well worth the effort.