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Recommended reading: Claim That Job
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First the housing market, then the banking industry and now the auto industry is being hit by the credit crunch. The recession is hitting too many industries, too quickly.
In a recent interview with Sharon Alexander, author of “Claim That Job,” she revealed how candidates can gain a leading edge in an uncertain job market.
1. Create a personal brand. In the current climate, it’s important for new entrants to the job market to stand out from the crowd. Now is the time to focus on what makes you different. The concept of creating a brand is to ensure that you have a clear vision of who you are and what you stand for before you go into the marketplace. A great way to market yourself is to create an online brand. You can do this by setting up a blog in the area that you are interested in and becoming an expert in your area.
2. Create career journal. Your career journal should detail every individual with whom you have made contact who may be able to help you in the future, and any roles that you may have had that you can sell to an employer. This career journal is more than a résumé – it’s the detail behind your résumé that you will use to sell yourself at interviews and when networking.
3. Be a great communicator. Mastering public speaking and communication skills is a key asset that very few people focus their energy on. Great communication skills can make you stand out at an interview even if you aren’t the most qualified candidate. Most employers want you to be brilliant at what you do, but they also want an employee who can represent the company in meetings, presentations and to external clients, so brush up on your skills in this area.
4. Be a brilliant networker. A large proportion of jobs are not advertised, which means the use of contacts and word-of-mouth play a huge role in getting into the best positions within an organization. The old adage that “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” is still relevant today when it comes to finding the best jobs.
So, how do you to get to know the right people? Make sure you have a business card. If you’re attending an event with a friend, get him or her to introduce you to the people they know first, and vice versa. That way, you will have both had a chance to practice speaking with like-minded people. Then, go your separate ways and come together again at the end of the event to ensure you don’t end up spending all your time talking to each other instead of meeting new people.
5. Master the key tactics to get through an interview. Interviewing for a job can be daunting for new graduates, which is why you need to ensure your job hunting and interview tactics are slick. Experience is key, but there are also several subtle dynamics to be aware of that you can use to give you a leading edge over your competitors.
There are four key qualities that anyone interviewing a prospective employee will require:
- Can you do the job?
- Will you fit in / get along with the people you will be working with?
- Will you be easy to manage?
- Are you enthusiastic and motivated about the job they are offering?
More About:
Job Search ·
Networking ·
Market ·
Recommended Reading ·
Landing a Job ·
Interviews ·
Hiring Process
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