It is important to stand out in some positive way.

Even in the best of times, companies get a lot of resumes and job applications. When companies have a large amount of people to choose from it is essential to stand out in some way.

Work experience is important. It is not only the biggest and best list of previous work experience that counts. You can stand out in many ways except from work experience.

Another way to stand out is to have a more education than the other people. For example a PhD is always good and a Masters degree is also good.

If you do not stand out with more experience or more education than the other candidates for the job, there are other ways you can stand out. For example you can stand out by having written some widely recognized papers that have been published in some credible journals. Or you can have written a book. It can possible be good if you have done some writing on the web, but it would have to be some sensible content that will not give a negative impression which is the complete opposite of what one tries to do.