Learn 5 reasons why you can land the job you want
Q: My goal is to find a new job in the next couple of months that keeps my interests and where I can grow. I keep hearing that the job market is tighter than in the last couple of years. Most of my friends are also searching, and I believe the competition will be strong. What advice could you give me on landing a job?
A: There are some reasons as to why people find good career opportunities sooner than others. The speed at which you land a job is not necessarily an indicator that it is the best job that meets your goals.
Those who find jobs sooner usually have a strong network of connections or have been laying the groundwork for months.
Regardless of the job market and competition, there are five reasons you could discover a job that offers growth and meets your interests. Keep these in mind when you start your search and when you start work.
• Discovering career opportunities will be a mixture of both applying for positions and accessing the hidden job market. Most people who start a job search will likely spend their time applying for posted jobs.
They often forget the hidden job market, which has more opportunities than imagined. Stanford University Professor Mark Granovetter. is known for his Strength of Weak Ties theory, which states that you will likely find a job through unexpected connec-tions you do not know.
• Think like an employer. Most job candidates think like someone looking for a job rather than concentrating on how to increase profitability and meet the needs of the business. It is a common occurrence that employers may not read your entire resume, but instead skim over it and rely on your answers during the interview.
• Provide proof that you are the best candidate. It can be a big mistake to rely only on your resume accomplishments to sell your experience and background. When answering questions during an interview or responding to a job posting, give examples where you can back up your contributing skills.
For example, making a statement about your leadership without giving proof by using results is just a statement.
Those who land jobs faster know that using figures and facts to back up your words is more powerful. Employers remember facts rather than broad statements.
• Stand out with a personal brand that describes your unique combination of skills.
While you may have the same degrees, certifications, or experience as other candidates, the distinguishing factor will be the unique combination of your abilities that makes you successful. Take time to identify experiences that make you unique.
Be sure to make a compelling reason why employers want to hire you.
• Highlight your transferable skills. While others might not go after positions because they need to gain all the skills required to do the job, you, on the other hand, should focus on transferable skills.
These skills can easily be transerred to different industries and roles. Do not make the career mistake of letting a position of interest pass you by because you need to have all the skills listed.