New year, new job. If you’re hoping to land a new role in 2025, January and February is the prime time to polish your resume and hone your interviewing skills.
We asked Elastic recruiters for their best tips on how to stand out in the application and interview process — and what they advise their candidates. Here’s what they had to say.
Create a detailed resume
Dedicate time to creating a resume that is detailed without being lengthy, says Jackie Bacic, senior recruiter, field operations AMER. Jackie recommends adding several bullet points for each job that you’ve had, highlighting your day-to-day experiences and your accomplishments.
“If there are any specific metrics or data that especially showcases your impact, be sure to include those,” she says. “This could be anything from CSAT scores to quota achievement. You want recruiters to see how you can add value in your next role.”
It’s also important to tailor your resume for the specific job you’re applying for, says Charlie White, senior recruiter.
Charlie recommends analyzing the job description before you apply to see if there are any key skills, tools, or experiences that are a requirement for the job. More often than not, there will be, so add those to your resume.
“To go a step further, if you have the direct tool or experience they are looking for, be sure to add a specific bullet point on how you used/implemented it in your experience,” Charlie says. “Don’t just add it to your skills section. You want to showcase your abilities to give you the best chance possible of being shortlisted or picked for an interview.”
Prepare an elevator pitch
Have an elevator pitch or compelling story of your background ready to share with a recruiter or hiring manager, Jackie says.
“From my own personal experience, I share a bit about my own background and how I found a passion for recruiting, my experience so far, why I am looking for a new role and how it translates to the role I’ve applied for,” she says. “I feel this shows a recruiter that I’ve taken the time to prepare and how serious I am about the next step in my career.”
Isam Nouidei, recruiter, field ops AMER, shares another example.
“A strong candidate for a sales position can effectively convey their motivation by discussing what they admire about the company’s solutions and referencing specific use cases that align with their career aspirations. They should prepare examples from their past experiences, highlighting challenges they faced, the strategies they employed to overcome them, and the measurable results achieved against targets.”
Preparing an elevator pitch will not only help you home in on the story you want to tell, but it also allows you to practice talking about yourself, your interests, and your achievements. Put together a few versions and share them with mentors, trusted coworkers, or friends for their feedback. When it’s finalized, practice saying it out loud so that when it comes time to talk to a recruiter or hiring manager, you’re confident and comfortable.
Come with a positive attitude
Candidates who stand out typically possess relevant experience, a positive attitude, and effective communication skills throughout the interview process, says Isam.
“Showcasing a positive attitude is crucial; candidates can illustrate how they handle objections or navigate situations requiring them to learn new skills or turn a business around,” he says.
Share stories of resilience and grit, Isam recommends, such as successfully addressing client concerns or adapting to market changes. These types of stories demonstrate determination and ability to thrive in challenging environments.
“Aim to communicate clearly and concisely while demonstrating motivation and genuine interest.”
Send a thank you note
The thank you note isn’t dead. In fact, sending a thank you note to your hiring team still goes a long way and sets you apart, Jackie says.
“It’s a great opportunity to flex both your active listening and closing skills in recapping important moments in the interview,” she says.
Charlie White agrees. You would be amazed at how many candidates never follow up after an interview, he says.
“Sending a personalized thank you to each interviewer and highlighting the aspects of the job that excite you the most not only reconfirms your interest in the role but also shows a great passion to join the team as well as displays a collaborative nature about you,” he says.
Get started on your 2025 job search. Browse open roles.
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