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Job Hunting in a tough economy

It’s jobs focus week on Bdaily. Here, Cat Yaffe looks at the crucial aspects of job hunting.

With the current economic climate not looking likely to change any time soon and the continuing instability of the jobs market it means those searching for employment are facing tougher challenges to break into the employed market. With intense competition from other candidates and employers making the job application process much more comprehensive what can job seekers do to raise their chances of success?

Despite the perceived doom and gloom small businesses are still recruiting but they are doing so cautiously. Those looking to add to their workforce are only too aware of the impact that another salary will have on their bottom line, and so in turn they look for candidates that will give them a return sooner rather than later. Being tech savvy and aware of what’s happening in the world is now deemed as important as having Maths and English GCSE’s.

There can be no doubt that social networking has changed the way both candidates and employers search for, advertise and find opportunities. Candidates are no longer reliant on the humble one page CV and the local paper. Creative use of technology and infographics to generate unique resumes are recent examples of applicants thinking outside the box. SME’s have now embraced the online platforms to display positions or to find candidates. For every CV or job enquiry they receive there is no doubt that someone in HR or even the MD in smaller firms will jump straight onto the internet and search the candidate out. What can candidates do to make sure their potential employer gets the right first impression?

Think about personal branding

As a simple guide; if you have a picture, a video or a status update that you wouldn’t want your mum to see then delete it or don’t post it. Rather than change the settings on your social profiles, making the employer think you have something to hide, change the content. Think it’s an invasion of privacy? Perhaps so but how badly do you need that job? You need to become your own marketing and PR team. Set up a blog (Wordpress or Blogger are free), and talk about what’s happening in the world or your industry. Comment on other peoples blogs too to build your profile. Keep the tone informal, friendly and of course professional. You never know who could be reading, and if it is a potential employer you’ve made the first steps to impressing them.

Make use of Linkedin

This is your online CV. Make sure you fill it in 100%, include leisure activities and any volunteer work. It’s where the recruiters of industry hang out. It’s a networking platform that you can use to your advantage. Do some research, find out the names of the senior managers or directors of a company or industry that you want to work for and request to connect. The competition for jobs is huge, be bold and make a move that your competition might be too timid to take. Mark yourself out as being different.

Social networks V’s Job boards

Twitter is fast becoming the leading platform where candidates are linking directly with business owners and taking the conversation offline – straight to interview. Create your profile, share a little something of yourself in your bio, and don’t make it too formal – this is about being social. Let your personality shine through in tweets and conversations. Use hash tags to discover what’s being said about your prospective industry. Join in the discussions. This kind of interaction just doesn’t take place on job boards such as Monster, but you still need to keep an eye on them to find out whose recruiting.

Top 5 Growth Industries

IT, engineering, energy oil and gas, healthcare and emerging technology applications are industries that are looking likely to be the ones where huge growth is expected within the next 5 years. Don’t panic if you have no experience in those fields, now is your time to prepare. All of these industries will still need admin, finance and marketing for example so hone your skills. Research these industries and keep in touch with what’s happening.

Above all else, be proactive. Treat your job search as a job in itself. Turn up at your PC, smartphone or tablet every morning at 9am and work until 5pm. Keep a spread sheet of vacancies you’ve applied, which job boards you’ve used and focus on the social platforms that work for you. There are opportunities out there, you just have keep looking.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Cat Yaffe .