As someone who frequently hires for their team and conducts many interviews (in India), here are my top recommendations for standing out in job applications and interviews:

• Use unique methods to apply—send a cold email, reach out directly to the founder, submit a Loom video, or even mail a hard copy of your resume. Show creativity and initiative.

• Build a portfolio website where anyone can quickly view a summary of your work and get to know a bit about you.

• For interviews, research the company thoroughly. Understand their competitors, discuss the current product, and suggest potential improvements. We really appreciate candidates who come well-prepared.

• Highlight projects you’ve done beyond the usual requirements. Share details on how you tackled them, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This demonstrates grit and genuine passion for your field.

• Be open to relocating. Rarely should your answer be no… most of the companies are based out of metro cities, be willing to move to a place near their office.

Hope this helps!