With much competition in almost every industry, many applicants are competing with each other for a limited number of vacancies. As employers are looking to hire only the best candidates for a position, you will need to do everything in your power to stand out from the crowd and secure your dream role.
If you are tired of experiencing rejection or want to improve your career prospects once you have finished education, read the following eight ways to improve your employability.
1. Ensure Your Resume Complements a Job Description
The first mistake many candidates make is failing to match their resume to the job description. If you want a potential employer to offer you an interview, you will need to modify the document to prove you are the best candidate for the advertised vacancy.
Your resume must not only demonstrate your academic and professional background to-date, but it should prove to an employer that you have read the description and are the right person to help a business achieve its goals.
2. Advance Your Education
Employers want to hire the best of the best. While you might be a great candidate, they are likely to hire the person who has the best level of education and experience. If you want to prove to a potential employer that you are committed to your career, and have the knowledge and skills they require, consider advancing your education.
For example, if you want to embark on a career in data and have already gained a bachelor’s degree, you could apply to get your MS in statistics online at Michigan Tech. By doing so, you will gain in-depth knowledge of advanced statistical methods, problem-solving, and communication and leadership skills. As a result, you could become an attractive candidate for a forward-thinking brand that wants to utilize data to grow a business.
3. Improve & Promote Your Soft Skills
While hard skills are important when applying for a role, many modern employers want to hire candidates with exceptional soft skills, such as:
- Great interpersonal skills
- Effective time management
- The ability to work with a team
If you lack the above soft skills, you must work hard on developing them. For example, it might be beneficial to volunteer at a charitable organization or on a community project, which will require interaction, time management, and teamwork.
Once you have gained this experience, you should promote it on your resume and during an interview, which will prove to an employer that you have the soft skills they are looking for in a candidate.
4. Update Your LinkedIn Profile
Many employers will review a candidate’s LinkedIn profile before making a recruitment decision. If your information is sparse or non-existent, it might prove to an employer that you are not passionate about your career or the industry.
You must, therefore, take the time to update – or create – a profile, expanding on your skills, experience and career history, which could convince an employer to hire you over another candidate.
5. Start Networking
Networking can potentially improve your employability. By expanding your connections across an industry, you could form solid relationships with other hard-working professionals, who could recommend you for a role or vouch for you during the hiring process. To effectively grow your network, attend industry conferences, exhibitions and trade shows, and reach out to various professionals in your industry on the likes of LinkedIn and Twitter.
6. Project a Positive, Confident Demeanor
In addition to reviewing your talent and experience, employers will also want to ensure you have the right personality and attitude for a vacancy. If you don’t fit with the company culture, it is likely they will not offer you a role.
To prove you are a good fit, aim to project a positive, friendly attitude when talking to a potential employer and/or human resources. Also, have confidence in your ability, which will prove they can trust you with an important task or project.
7. Thoroughly Prepare for an Interview
It is likely an employer will test your knowledge on the business during an interview. This can help them to identify if you have taken the time to learn more about the brand and if you care about securing the advertised role.
To prove you are passionate about the job and the business, ensure you thoroughly research the organization prior to an interview.
For example, you must:
- Thoroughly read the company website
- Visit their social media pages
- Review their annual reports
- Find third-party articles on the brand
- Familiarize yourself with the company’s goals and values
Once you have done so, consider the types of questions an employer could potentially ask about the business and think up the perfect answer.
8. Get Published
Convince an employer there is no-one better for a position by getting published, which can improve your employability in multiple ways. Firstly, it will prove you are genuinely
passionate about an industry. Secondly, it will help you to establish yourself as an expert in your field. By doing so, they will want to hire you on the spot.
To promote your expertise online, you should:
- Write a personal blog
- Guest post on a reputable, third-party website
- Create a YouTube video offering industry advice and tips
- Launch your own podcast
- Regularly post articles on LinkedIn
To ensure your content has the wow factor, aim to incorporate a unique angle and point of view, which could provide an employer with a new insight into an industry. You should also strive to improve an article or video’s ranking in Google, so it is the first thing that will appear if an employer types your name into Google.
Conclusion
The job market can undoubtedly be tough, especially if you lack experience in an industry. To secure your dream role, you must set yourself apart from the crowd of candidates vying for a vacancy. If you follow the above handy tips, you could soon receive the job offer you have been waiting for.
