Increasing Your Employability: Tips For 21st Century Jobseekers
If you’re unemployed, or you’re on the lookout for new opportunities, you may have noticed that there’s a lot of competition out there. In many industries, employers receive tens, hundreds, even thousands of applications for every role, so how can you ensure you make the short list? If you’re looking for a new job, here are some tips that may come in handy.
Matching the credentials
Most job adverts have information about what the employer is looking for. Take time to read adverts carefully, and make sure you tick the boxes. If there’s a list of essential requirements, and you don’t fit the criteria, for example, you need a specific degree, and you haven’t got it, it’s probably best to save your time and focus on submitting applications for positions that suit your skill set better. By all means, throw your hat into the ring if you match most of the credentials except for a couple of things on the desired, rather than the essential list, but avoid applying for jobs that you have very little chance of getting over and over again. If you are drawn to certain roles, and you don’t currently have the training or qualifications employers are searching for, it may be worth considering further study. This will improve your chances going forward.
Moving with the times
In the 21st century, nothing stands still for long. With technology advancing all the time, it’s incredibly beneficial for candidates to be adaptable and to take an interest in developing systems and modern ways of doing things. If you’re looking to work in the financial, healthcare, business, IT or technology sectors, for example, you’re likely to find that your chances of success will be higher if you have the skills and the knowledge to talk to an employer about a public vs private blockchain. Look out for trends, read magazines and newspapers, and take an active interest in the field in which you hope to work. As technology evolves, this will create new jobs, and if you’re prepared, and you have an insight into the kinds of changes that may happen, you could capitalise.
Offering something different
If you’re applying for a job within a competitive industry, you might find that you have exactly the same qualifications and the same level of experience as many other candidates. If there’s nothing to separate you when it comes to training and education, how will an employer narrow down the options? Different employers may answer this question in a different way, but it’s always beneficial to try and ensure you stand out. What could you offer that others don’t? What is your USP? Have you travelled or worked abroad? Have you set up your own business in the past? Do you speak other languages? Do you volunteer? Have you overcome adversity? Use your application and the interview process to showcase your talents, abilities, skills and best character traits.
If you’re on the hunt for a new job, you may be worried about taking on and beating the competition. It can be tough out there, but if you approach the job search in the right way, hopefully, you’ll find opportunities that interest and intrigue you. Look for openings in up and coming industries, read adverts carefully, and make sure you know how to stand out from the crowd.
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