Securing a Job in an Employers Market

This is a post by Jobtrakr staff writer Rachael Del Pino, owner of  Accendo Careers. 

Jobs are scarce in today’s turbulent job market; giving employers the upper hand and intensifying the competition among fellow job seekers. Persistence and patience are essential virtues to employ during your job search, but here are four additional tips to help set you apart from the competition and ensure that you get noticed and hired by potential employers.

It’s not what you know, but who you know. You have heard it before, but it is true now more than ever. With an average of four unemployed persons per job opening (SimplyHired.com - U.S. Employment Trends Report), competition is fierce. The more effectively you leverage your contacts, the more successful you will be in securing a job. Expand your network by researching and attending industry related networking events, joining professional associations and utilizing your LinkedIn, Google+, Facebook and Twitter contacts.

Make it easy for employers to find you.  Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is current and 100% complete.  Be specific in your profile about the types of jobs you are seeking and the skill sets you offer.  Post your resume on all the major job boards (Careerbuilder, Monster, etc.) as well as any industry specific niche job boards.  Create a professional website or blog for yourself with an experience profile and a resume available for download.

There is no one-size-fits-all resume. Employers receive an influx of resumes for every opening. In order to stand out, it is imperative to tailor your resume and cover letter for each position that you apply to. Review the job description for specific experiences, skills and educational background that the employer is seeking and use the same verbiage to correlate and highlight those areas on your resume and in your cover letter.

Practice makes perfect when it comes to interviewing. A good resume may get you an interview, but a great interview will get you the job! Successful interviewing requires meticulous preparation and practice. Take time to thoroughly research the company, review common behavioral based interview questions and answers, know your marketable skills and be able to articulate specifically how they relate to the position you are interviewing for.

These are just a few of the potential strategies that can assist you with securing a job in an employer’s market.

Rachael Del Pino

Rachael Del Pino has significant experience in recruiting and talent management for Fortune 100 companies, as well as a master’s degree in Management with an HR concentration from the University of Central Florida. She also owns Accendo Careers, a career development and coaching company.  She has an innate passion for helping people reach their highest career potential.