Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Penny Hoarder.
Whether you’ve been laid off or want to leave your position, one thing is certain when you’re looking for a new job: It’s a competitive job market right now.
Finding a job and getting hired becomes difficult when each job has hundreds of applicants. So how can you stand out and secure your dream job in a competitive market? And why is there so much competition, anyway?
Let’s dive into the whys and hows of getting an offer in a competitive job market.
What is the Deal with the Labor Market?
The overall job market is strong. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment will grow by 6.7 million jobs from 2023 to 2033.
But layoffs have hit other industries hard. And some companies have been using AI to reduce their workforce, leaving their workforce unemployed. That’s a lot of job seekers applying for the same positions as you.
If you’re having trouble finding a job and want to know how to get a job in the face of a competitive job market, there are a few steps you should take.
1. Review Your Resume
Your CV is not a one-time document. Even if you are happily hired in your dream job, keeping your resume up to date with your current responsibilities and skills is important.
After all, layoffs often happen unexpectedly. The last thing you want to do when you’re let go from your job is scrambling to update your resume.
Check your progress every few months to make sure it’s up to date. Save a copy somewhere easy to access so you can grab it quickly to take with the job application.
2. Gain Work Experience Through Volunteering or Contract Work
Even if you are not employed full-time, you can gain valuable skills and experience by taking on volunteer or contract positions. Look for volunteer roles related to your career aspirations.
For example, if you work in marketing, see if any local nonprofits need help with their web or social media presence.
Contracting is another way to fill your time and reduce gaps in your CV while you are not working full-time.
3. Consider Continuing Education Courses
Layoffs are the perfect time to rethink additional education. You don’t need to commit to a formal qualification. Instead, look for online courses that are related to your field and can look impressive on your resume.
There are several places to look for relevant courses. Local professional organizations can provide continuing education. Or, check out websites like Masterclass, Skillshare, Udemy and Coursera for practical classes.
Once you’re done reading, add it to your resume to help you stand out in a competitive job market.
4. Update Your LinkedIn Profile
You probably already have a LinkedIn profile (and if you don’t, log in right away), but when was the last time you logged in? If you have to think about it, it’s been too long.
Check that your profile has been updated by:
- Professional headshot
- Work history, including your most recent position
- Skills
- Education
- Relevant certificates
- Technical organizations in which
- Voluntary work
You can also help your LinkedIn profile stand out by staying active on the platform. Follow companies and publications in your industry and share research and insights you find interesting.
Doing this shows potential employers that you’re committed to staying up-to-date in your industry, even if you’re not actively working in it.
5. The network
Networking can help you stay in touch with other professionals in your industry – and it can help you find your next job. Reach out to your existing network and ask them to pass on any opportunities they see that might be a good fit.
You can also ask for referrals from any people you know who might be hiring.
In addition to tapping into your existing network, look for local networking events to attend to make new connections. Take a stack of business cards and collect business cards from professionals you meet for future reference.
Often, finding a new job is about who you know.
6. Subscribe to Industry-Specific Job Boards or Websites
Gone are the days when Monster and CareerBuilder were the best ways to find a job. While these forums are still useful for your search, there may be industry-specific forums where you can search for your next job.
Joining platforms like Idealist (for non-profit job listings) and Mediabistro (for media jobs) can be the key to securing your next job.
Consider signing up for email newsletters that share job listings in your industry. You can find newsletters for different types of jobs, from remote work to science jobs and content writing gigs. Depending on the newsletter, you will receive emails daily, weekly or somewhere in between.
LinkedIn is a great place to check out newsletter recommendations in your industry.
7. Edit Your Resume and Cover Letter for Each Application
You don’t have to send a unique resume with every job application, but having several versions of your resume tailored to specific types of jobs can help you stand out. All versions should include important information such as your contact details, professional summary, work experience, skills, education and any certifications you have.
From there, you can modify the document to suit the job you are applying for. An easy way to do this is to rewrite your professional summary, including specific keywords and phrases from the job description to show that you have the necessary knowledge for the position.
Most job postings allow you to add a cover letter. To save time, write a draft that you can tweak slightly for each job you apply for. Also, include keywords and phrases from the job listing and highlight your practical skills at the beginning of the letter to grab the hiring manager’s attention.
8. Join Professional Associations
Many industries have professional associations that you can join. Although membership often comes with fees, you get access to additional networking and professional development opportunities.
You can also list your membership in professional organizations on your resume. That can help you stand out to potential employers.
9. Prepare Well for Interviews
You should spend time preparing for every interview for the job you are securing. Doing so can help you be more memorable when competing for a job among many qualified applicants.
- Research the company to understand its mission.
- Read the job description carefully to make sure you understand the position.
- Look at common interview questions and prepare your answers.
- Practice your conversation skills with a friend by acting out the scene.
- Write a list of questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the meeting.
During the interview, plan to inject your ideas and thinking to show what you can bring to the role and the company.
Simply repeating facts and figures from a company’s website doesn’t tell the interviewer anything other than your ability to memorize the information. You are more likely to get a second interview if you can demonstrate how you can solve potential problems in the role and be an asset to the company.
If your interview will be virtual, decide on a location for the meeting. Ideally, you will have good lighting, few distractions and no background noise. Use your camera’s preview settings to test your setup and see how you’ll look to the interviewer.
And regardless of the location of the interview, dress appropriately and make eye contact during the interview.
10. Protect Strong References
Before applying for a job, gather people you work with or other professionals who can serve as references.
Don’t ask anyone you’ve had a conflict with in a previous role – but make sure you have someone from your current and previous roles you can call to talk to your potential employer. Ask each person if they would like to make a reference, and if so, what contact information they would like you to use.
Consider keeping your references updated on your job search so they know when to expect a phone call or email asking about their experience working with you. That way, they are not caught off guard when their employer contacts them.
11. Be Patient and Flexible
Job hunting is stressful – especially in a competitive job market. It is unreasonable to think that you can apply for a job every day without a break and not affect your mental health.
Understand that job hunting takes time. If the job market is tight, it may take longer than you expect. Be patient and take care of yourself.
Flexibility is also a useful feature. If you’re not getting traction when applying for a certain type of job, consider transferring your skills to a related field and apply there.
Additionally, don’t limit your search to permanent roles. While full-time work is the goal of many job seekers, a part-time or contract role still provides income and adds more information to your resume that you can use to land a permanent position.
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