There was a time when the best way to stand out at job interviews was just to have a degree from a university. Later, when almost everyone had a degree, a Master’s or any postgraduate degree would help you stand out.

Now, with job searches more competitive and demanding than ever, even a PhD sometimes isn’t enough to get you a job.  And that’s if you even have the time or resources to study for a PhD.

University degrees are no longer the definite way to set yourself apart from other candidates, so everyone looks to work experience, extracurricular activities, or unique qualifications to add to their CV.

No matter which job you’re applying for, here are a few things that always look great on a job application.

First aid training

You don’t have to apply for jobs in the medical field to benefit from first aid training. Knowing how to patch up minor injuries could be beneficial if you’re working in a school or nursery, but even in retail jobs it could set you apart from another candidate with similar experience.

The job is more likely to go to the person who can save someone’s life in an emergency, especially if the company is required to have a certain number of staff who are trained in first aid. Either way, getting certified in first aid does not take long, it’s relatively cheap, and it’s a valuable skill to know in any situation.

Machine operations

Believe it or not, you don’t have to keep pursuing careers in construction to put all your training to good use. Jobs in large retail stores, landscaping, or warehouses, often require the use of forklifts, scissor lifts, and electric manlifts to get the job done.

While some of these jobs will provide on-the-job training for these machines, you will really set yourself apart from the other candidates if you can show you’ve passed the training for yellow card that is required to operate these machines. Companies love to save time and money, so you’ve got a foot in the door if you turn out to be the more qualified and cheaper candidate.

Touch-typing

An average typing speed is 40 words per minute, and anything over 70 words per minute is definitely worth including on your CV. This is one of the easiest skills to develop, and you might already be doing it if you spend a lot of time in front of the computer.

All you need to do to prove your typing speed is find a free online typing test; it’s your chance to check your true typing speed, accuracy, and skill level in just 60 seconds.

Database skills

If companies are providing products and services, then you can bet they have a database of some sort, and most of them haven’t been updated for a long time. If you know how to navigate old systems, and have some idea of how to improve them, employers will be fighting each other to hire you.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it may contain affiliate links.