As a job seeker, have you ever felt like another cog in the wheel? Like there are hundreds of other job seekers just like you, making it difficult to stand out and get noticed? This is a common concern, especially with so much competition for top jobs. The good news is that you can find ways to set yourself apart from other candidates, to garner the attention of the best hiring companies and get a job offer sooner. Here’s a few tactics.

Create a strong professional brand online

There’s only one you, therefore you need to focus on creating a brand about you that will stand out to recruiters. Start by building a nice website portfolio of your work, on a free website or blog. Then start building out coordinated social media profiles. Finally, demonstrate your brand on LinkedIn, your resume, and cover letter to stand out from other applicants.

Take the time to write a decent cover letter

You’d be surprised, but a lot of hiring managers actually prefer to read a short and professional cover letter before they consider a candidate for an interview. This may seem a little old school, however it gives the candidate a chance to introduce himself to the recruiter. Create a cover letter that highlights your top-three skills, and ask the recruiter to contact you for an interview.

Get recommended by your colleagues

Another great way to fast track your success as a job seeker is to get recommended by a peer. This give me someone who currently works for the company or a close associate who knows someone at the company. Take the time to browse your LinkedIn profile to see who is connected to your targeted company. Ask for a recommendation. Studies have shown that recruiters prefer to hire candidates who have been vetted for a job because the person recommending them is of high character.

Get referred or placed by a staffing agency

Very often, companies make it difficult to get a foot in the door. They may only work with area staffing agencies for their hiring needs. Therefore, if you want to get in front of the hiring managers and stand out from other candidates you will need to register and work through the staffing agency. The advantage here is that you will be able to be professionally recommended by the staffing agency who has already pre-screened you and can share your best qualities with the hiring manager.