Standing Out in the Current Job Market
There’s a lot of chatter about a “white collar recession”. I have client companies (and see many others) still eager to pick up top talent, but there are certainly some companies out there scaling back. Couple that with the fact that there has been a great deal of layoffs in the past 6 months, and that can make for a challenging market in which to be on the hunt for a new role.
What’s the best way to stand out in this market?
Network. Yep, it’s often about who you know. That personal “in” from a former colleague will go infinitely further than a cold application through a job portal. This is also a great way to learn about opportunities you might not have even known existed. I’ve seen employers create roles to make room for top talent.
Resume. It matters, especially when you’re going in without any personal connection. Your resume should be polished, clean, and concise. No one needs a resume that’s 6 pages long, but don’t use a size 7 font just so you can cram it on one page either. Focus on noteworthy tasks and accomplishments versus simply listing job duties. If you’re more established in your career, leave off old jobs that have nothing to do with your current field. Contact info should always be included - never make an employer dig for your email or phone number! Consider hiring a resume pro, it’s money well spent. Need help? We’ve got you.
LinkedIn. Have a profile and be sure it’s up to date. Include details about each role so that you’ll come up in recruiter searches targeting keywords (i.e. “high net worth” or “construction”).
Interview like a boss. You know the old saying, “You only get one chance to make a first impression”. Don’t worry about being nervous – most people are, that’s ok! But come prepared. Learn as much as you can about the company, and if possible, the folks you’re interviewing with, too.
Ok so we’ve covered the best ways to get yourself out there. But how about what NOT to do?
Avoid negativity. Don’t slam your old employer or boss online, or during interviews. You may well be justified to have negative feelings about a person or company, but a hiring manager doesn’t know you yet. What you don’t want is them asking themselves if it was you who was the problem.
Don’t fall flat in the interview. Seems obvious but – prepare! Do your homework. Show up on time (early!) Dress professionally, even if it’s a virtual interview. Come prepared with questions and any specifics you want to be sure you cover. Consider having relevant stats written down in case you forget them under pressure – new business numbers, book size, etc.
Don’t be closed-minded. In this market, you must keep an open mind. I’ve often had candidates interview for one position but after speaking with the hiring team, they think the person would be an ideal fit for a role they haven’t even posted yet (due to an upcoming retirement, for example). Be flexible and willing to listen!
Don’t date yourself. Things like an AOL email address, how many words per minute you can type, or your lifeguard job from 1986 don’t scream “energetic and adaptable”. Here’s a great article with some more tips.
“Focused effort is better that just throwing as much as you can at the wall to see what sticks. Be sure your resume is the best it can be, and focus on applying to fewer jobs that are better aligned with what you’re looking for and then leveraging your network to get to the top of the pile on those jobs. That will ensure you get the best possible “bang for your buck” time-wise.”