Today’s candidates need to be fine-tuned and savvy to land their next career opportunity. Job seekers must take the necessary steps and measures to make sure they are marketable. How should a candidate communicate, present a resume or answer recruiter inquiries? Based on what we’re hearing from hiring managers and the clients we represent, here are some suggestions that might help.
Show You in the Best Light Possible
Make sure your resume doesn’t read like a job description and that it accurately highlights your career progression to show a proven track record of success. Every bullet point should illustrate those accomplishments and why you are the right person for that role.
Make it easy for your next employer to see the successful professional that you are. Focus on successes, accomplishments and achievements not simply your job duties.
Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and accurately mirrors your resume. LI endorsements can give hiring managers a glimpse into what it’s like to work with you.
Concrete, Stable Work History
Currently there is some debate over the trend of a short length of time with an employer. Companies still focus on a candidate’s length of time at each job, but they are more concerned with your successes while there and what the role entailed. Your next employer is interested in a stable work history that indicates what kind of employee you will be.
This might seem like a no-brainer but make sure your skills and strengths meet the requirements of the job to which you are applying. Think carefully about what you can say in your resume or in your cover letter that will make you stand out among the competition.
Realistic Salary Expectations
Of course you want to be adequately compensated for your job. But, as a candidate, you want to be realistic about what the market is currently offering for similar roles. Know what is considered as “competitive compensation” for the job, geographic area and industry. What you don’t want to do is price yourself out of a job or the marketplace with unrealistic salary expectations.
Culture Fit
Do your research and find the firms or companies that operate the way in which you would like to work. In what kind of company culture do you feel comfortable? Is this somewhere you could realistically see yourself working and progressing?
Enlist the Help of a Recruiter
A savvy, educated recruiter is your friend. Seek out a recruiter who specializes in your area of expertise. See which search firms near you that are successful and in what specialty areas they focus. Once you do connect with a recruiter, touch base with him or her occasionally to see what is available and update your job search.
Do your research and be as prepared as you can be. Following the above steps is a great start on the path to your next employer.