I feel a market uptick. As a former recruiter, I still am involved in recruiter networks, and my colleagues are busy. Most telling of all, companies are looking for recruiters, indicating a commitment to hiring on an ongoing basis. So if you have been unemployed and discouraged about your search, or if you’re employed and have been scared to make a move, dust off your job search game face and be prepared to get on the market.
I feel a market uptick. As a former recruiter, I still am involved in recruiter networks, and my colleagues are busy. Most telling of all, companies are looking for recruiters, indicating a commitment to hiring on an ongoing basis. So if you have been unemployed and discouraged about your search, or if you’re employed and have been scared to make a move, dust off your job search game face and be prepared to get on the market. Here are 3 strategies specific to job search when the market is just starting to turn upward:
Have a story for the downturn. Be able to talk about what you did if you were unemployed or employed but underutilized. Focus on achievements and measurable results, rather than whether the work was temporary or pro bono. Focus on being upbeat and positive about where you worked, even if the downturn forced you to take on 3 people’s jobs. The way you frame the past negative and difficult times will reflect how you handle adversity and come out on top (or not).
Be clear about where you go from here. The early market uptick favors people who can tap into the hidden job market, where employers are just deciding on new jobs but may not have the bandwidth to post them or launch a broad search. If you can be laser focused on what companies and departments you are targeting, you stand a better chance of networking your way into these companies and accessing those early jobs. Help others help you. Your friends and family may hear about these hidden jobs, but will they know what you are looking for? And even if they do, will they know how to talk about your skills and experience in a way that positions you correctly for these jobs? If not, or if you’re not sure, then it’s time to remind your network about who you are and what you want. Remember to not assume that people are out looking for jobs for you. See my last CNBC post about When Is It Okay To Ask For A Job Lead! But definitely help those people who you’re sure would help you, be aware of what you’re looking for, how to talk about you, and how to be helpful.
Is Your Job Search Flexible or Just Unfocused?
As a recruiter, I’ve seen lack of flexibility on the recruiting side with employers clinging to every last detail in their ideal spec while perfectly good candidates get overlooked. As a career coach, I see jobseekers prematurely dismissing possible targets waiting for that perfect job. It’s true that you want to be focused in your job search (otherwise you dilute your efforts and come across as scattered and possibly desperate).
5 Questions to Test If Your Resume Is Recruiter-Proof
After recruiting in search and in-house for over ten years, I have read thousands of resumes. Due to sheer volume of resumes received and all the other things that vie for the recruiter’s attention in the hiring process – scheduling, interviewing, networking, reference checks, client debriefs, and more – the resume review process is ruthlessly quick.
How Do You Score On Employers’ Top Five Desired Skills?
Even if you are happily employed, work environments and priorities change. You want to make sure that you are not getting complacent and allowing your skills to rust. The above five skills are always valued, but the standards by which they are measured change over your career. Maybe you got to where you are now because of superior analytical skills and despite below average communication skills, but now you are a manager.
