How to make your resume stand out: tips from Canva’s recruitment team — Part III

By Harriet Templer — Recruitment Lead — Product & Design

So you’ve nailed your resume layout and it’s popping with personality and style, how do you navigate the sometimes tricky application process to land your next role? It’s time to make that perfect resume work hard for you with these application tips and tricks.

It’s time to apply

Job adverts can read like a long list of requirements and it can be pretty off-putting. Don’t be put off if you don’t hit every single one (ladies, this one is for you — men tend to apply for a job when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women tend to apply only if they meet 100% of them*).

If you find something that sounds like a dream role but only match up with 60% of what the company is looking for, apply anyway! You never know how you might stack up against the rest of the applicants. I can’t tell you how often I see job ads posted where the 100% match candidate doesn’t even exist! Having said that, be realistic about where your skills lie. If you match with very little of the key requirements, save yours and the recruiters time by taking a pass.

Keep track of your applications somewhere centrally if you’re applying for lots of different opportunities at the same time. This will help you keep tabs on progress and will make sure you know what company a recruiter is calling from when they ring you for a phone screen.

Spruce up your online presence

Have you Googled yourself lately? Think of your online presence as your ‘shop window’ for a potential employer. It’s always a good idea to do a quick sense check on your social media privacy settings before embarking on a job search to make sure you’re presenting yourself in the best possible light online.

Take some time to refresh and update your LinkedIn, applying similar logic as to your resume. Add keywords so you’re findable, turn your InMails on, and switch your settings to ‘open to opportunities’. If you have a portfolio, website, or key case studies, add them to your bio for easy access. Lots of companies now allow you to quick-apply with LinkedIn (which is great, and a huge time saver!). If you go down this path, make sure your LinkedIn speaks to the high-quality accomplishments in your resume.

Finally, make sure you have done your research and are applying to employers you really want to work for. At Canva, we’re so proud of our amazing inclusive culture and how we live and breathe our values. Check out employer review sites like Glassdoor, browse LinkedIn Company Pages and peruse careers sites. Find opportunities that feel aligned with your own values and where you feel a connection to the mission and purpose.

On that note, we’re always on the hunt for amazing talent to join us at Canva. For more details on our current job openings, visit Canva’s careers page here.