As the job market continues to rally from economic recession, more and more employers are beginning to hire again. This is great news for job seekers, but it’s important to remember that there are still lots of candidates vying for a relatively small number of available positions. To give yourself the best chance of landing the job you want, it’s a good idea to think of your skillset and your experience as a marketable product with tangible value.
Consider Your Brand
Why do some people prefer Apple computers, while other people would rather run Windows? In some cases, the preference comes down to familiarity. In others, it’s because one brand performs certain functions better than another. Very often, user experience plays a significant role in our decision making.
Now apply these questions of brand preferences to yourself. What do you offer that other candidates don’t? Maybe you’re bilingual. Maybe you’ve already established extensive industry contacts. Maybe you have a reputation for being very easy to work with. Identify your best, most marketable features, and find ways to leverage them in your job search.
Make Connections
Brand awareness spreads through word of mouth. Make an effort to network with other people in your industry in order to raise awareness about what it is that you bring to the table. Even if they don’t work in your industry, professional contacts are always valuable assets to have. You never know how they might help you in the future.
Remember Referrals
These are your customer testimonials; first-hand accounts of your value to a person or organization. Your resume (like the product description on a package) can only go so far to sway the market in your favor. Recruit quality, reliable referrals that have a keen understanding of who you are and what you have to offer. Cross promote with these people in order to establish mutually beneficial professional relationships.
At Contemporary Staffing Solutions, we’ve spent over two decades helping candidates to sell themselves effectively in highly competitive job markets. Browse all of our job listings online, or give us a call today and speak to one of our talented staffing specialists about what it takes to succeed in today’s economy.