Wajeez Articles: Top 4 Strategies to Improve Job Search Success
Career Advisory Board member and business and workplace consultant, Alexandra Levit, recommends gaining valuable experience and improving workplace competencies to succeed. Levit offers the following strategies to help job candidates improve their marketability:
1 – Demonstrate a mastery of critical skills.
Before diving into a job search, it’s important to take a step back and examine your capabilities from the perspective of a hiring manager:
- Think about the job and how your qualifications meet the specific needs of the position, and identify areas where you can illustrate quantifiable results
- If entering a new field, create a skills-based resume that highlights specific capabilities relevant for the job
2 – Increase repertoire of capabilities:
To obtain valuable and relevant experience, take ownership of your development by looking for opportunities to improve your core competencies and learning those skill sets that are valued by employers.
If you are unemployed:
- Seek an internship or volunteer opportunity to gain critical real-world knowledge and expand your professional network
- Clearly demonstrate your proficiency of these newly-acquired skills to your prospective employer and explain how they can be transferred to the workplace
If you are employed:
- Take advantage of corporate training programs to improve communication skills and problem-solving abilities
- Pursue stretch assignments that will challenge you to learn and grow in your field
3 – Develop a personal brand:
A strong and memorable personal brand that captures the attention of prospective employers on social networking sites, such as LinkedIn, will set you apart from the competition.
- Identify your unique talents, what you are passionate about and the type of expertise you can bring to employers
- Ensure that your social media profile and in-person networking reflects your personal brand while fostering relationships through alumni and peer-to-peer networks
4 – Seek mentorship.
Developing a mentoring relationship will help you build a foundation and set the pace for your career. Mentors can help you learn about a realistic career path and what it takes to succeed.
- Build a mentoring relationship with a person who works in a similar or related field – both online and offline
- Find mentors through professional organizations, alumni associations and non-profit organizations
