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Getting a Job in a Competitive Market

Let’s face it…the economy has made current job seekers more than a little intimidated and overwhelmed. The facts are-due to country-wide corporate layoffs and downsizing-there are now way fewer jobs and many more people applying for them. If you are one of these job seekers, what are you to do? The answer is, find a better strategy. Here are the best tips for finding and getting the job in this competitive job market.


1.  Search, search, and then search some more. First off, because you are competing with many more      jobseekers, you have to make sure you are doing as much job searching as they are. Instead of just using      a couple job search sites to fuel your job search, add another five or six. Moreover, create job search alerts      at all sites that offer it, and this way you are saving time and energy having the job search done for you.      The wider and more intensive the job search, the more options you will have.

2.  Fine tune your resume. Next on the list of necessary to-dos is to stay competitive by making your resume      as attractive as possible. This applies to both presentation and content. Update and tweak your resume                                                                   according to the types of skills that jobs you are applying to are                                                                   looking for. Review online examples of winning resumes. Lastly, have                                                                   a coworker or friend take a look at your resume for feedback. This                                                                   way you can see what you might be missing to make your resume                                                                   stand out from the pile. Remember, in most cases, your resume is                                                                   the first impression employers get of you-make it count.

                                                                  3.  Network, network, network. Another biggie in ensuring you are                                                                        making yourself as marketable as possible for jobs is to network                                                                        as much as possible. This means stretching your contacts through                                                                        social networking sites, joining forums online, starting blogs, and                                                                        generally putting your name and interest out there as much as                                                                        possible, so that when it comes time for an employer to find                                                                        someone for the job, they look to you-or at least give you a                                                                        chance with an interview.

                                                                  4.  Interview like a champ. As the market gets more competitive for                                                                        the jobs you are applying to, so does the standards. This means                                                                        you must be as prepared, professional, and perfect as possible                                                                        when interviewing. Don’t expect to just wing it and get the job based on experience, merit, or charm. You must dress to impress, answer questions resolutely, and sell yourself the best you can. So, make sure you practice with potential questions, evaluate your best strengths, and draft up a professional presentation of your best achievements.

5.  Give Them More. Unfortunately, nowadays you can’t just go in and get a job because you are the most      qualified-you have to be able to meet their expectations, and then give them more. If this means a      powerpoint presentation demonstrating your past achievements and accomplishments or a savvy portfolio      with work accomplished-without being asked for it-then you must do it, and do it well. You want to impress      them with your talents but also your determination and ingenuity. Brainstorm giving them something more      that will make your candidacy for that job memorable.

6.  Be Flexible. Last, but certainly, not least is making sure that you are flexible as a candidate for whatever      position you are applying for. Know that because the nature of the economy, you may have to take less of      a salary, start lower on the todem pole, or accept tasks that are not part of your personal job description.      Make sure that you are flexible to some if not all of the terms introduced, and you will be a much more      attractive candidate. Moreover, in most cases, this flexibility pays off by giving you a boost in pay, a      promotion, or the like sooner than later.