In the current economic climate, the labour market is no longer stable. In the aftermath of COVID-19, unemployment rates have dropped and competition for top talent has increased.
While job seekers may have more options than in the past two years, not all of them will be viable. Now it’s more important than ever for active and passive job seekers to showcase themselves in ways that attract recruiters when their skills match open positions.
By combining the right skills with the right approach, you can make yourself stand out from the crowd and ensure that you are the top candidate.
Make your personal brand stand out
To begin, think of yourself as a personal brand. Branding is what gives you a competitive advantage. It sets you apart from other candidates who have similar qualifications. Although most job seekers know to optimize their LinkedIn profile, if their other social media pages feature self-indulgent or negative content, recruiters may be hesitant to send such candidates to their clients. The same online behaviour could also turn off employers who may view it as irrational or irresponsible and unfit for their company. So, make sure that you have a clear branding throughout your social media channels.
Gain in-demand skills
There have been many changes made to companies' operations because of the pandemic. Therefore, employers are now looking for different skills. Upskilling or reskilling in areas with high demand will also keep you ahead of the curve. There are a wide variety of online courses and programs available to help you to develop the skills that employers want.
It makes job seekers more attractive to recruiters and employers if they have a continuous learning record. As well as hiring for education, skills, and experience, employers also look for candidates who are constantly seeking to learn new skills as it shows them that you are ambitious and willing to expand your knowledge.
Become an expert in your field
It's essential to be an expert in your field regardless of what industry you work in. You should keep up with the latest news and trends, read industry publications, and attend conferences.
To find top talent, recruiters scour the internet and resume databases, looking for characteristics in candidates' profiles that make them stand out. Writing blogs, sharing articles, participating in LinkedIn groups, or networking with others in the industry make a much better impression than those who only use the Internet for fun. Your ability to speak intelligently about your industry's latest developments will immediately catch recruiters' attention.
Make some time to volunteer
To determine whether a candidate may fit with a company's culture, recruiters often pay attention to what candidates do in their spare time. It is important that candidates who contribute to charitable causes and list their volunteer activities on their resumes or share them on social media demonstrate that they share values with employers committed to community involvement, as well as their desire to help others and work for a greater purpose.
Keep your resume up to date
Although this may seem obvious, make sure your CV contains all your latest jobs and volunteer work, as well as your current contact information. It is frustrating for recruiters when interested candidates fail to update their contact information. Recruiters may either take the time to source the candidate's contact information online or move on to the next qualified candidate, depending on whether there are enough qualified candidates to choose from. So, make sure you don't miss out on a potentially good opportunity over a small error.
Are you seeking a new job opportunity? Get in touch with our Recruitment Consultants today and they will help you find the right position and ensure that your resume and branding match your skillset.