Job searching during a tight job market? Follow these tips
Q: I have been working from home sending out dozens of resumes. I can work almost anywhere and am not that picky about the type of job because I have worked in different industries in management roles.
I would like to get an offer before summer. What are some ways to job search during a tight job market?
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
A: Sending out resumes in hopes that you’ll land a job somewhere is not the best search strategy. Naturally, you are likely to face more competition for jobs when the market has fewer opportunities and that indicates a need to look at how you are searching.
You mentioned having a background in various industries, that can be helpful for acquiring multiple skills, but take the time to start concentrating on the value you will bring to an employer. No doubt that skills are important but hiring decision makers often look beyond candidates who only focus on skills and instead look for the value they bring.
When searching in a tight market, your resume needs to reflect the value you have contributed to past employers. Most job seekers will put together a resume that resembles a history of job duties when applying for positions. In the past this might have worked but today you need a more strategic approach and create a resume that highlights the value your skills bring.
Think of your value as a theme that occurs throughout your career, it’s not a one-time event rather it underlies your success at work. Your value could be related to the way you help companies grow, the way you manage teams to accomplish goals and the problems you solve.
The value you show in your resume will keep you standing out from the crowd who may have the same skill sets.
Search for people or opportunities in the industry where you have built credibility. Even though you have multiple industries in your background, focus on the one where you have been the most productive.
Another way to search would be to look for new fields that are emerging, new companies tend to have fewer employees that have broad experience. You could carry numerous roles and be an asset to a growing company.
This is going to sound contradictory — you need a good resume but don’t rely on it completely to open doors. In a tough job market, your connections can be more powerful in moving your resume to the right people.
Make reaching out to people you know part of your search strategy, brainstorm with them about new ideas and ask good questions.