There's no question job seekers face a challenging employment environment and must work hard to find new opportunities. To help professionals looking to make their next career move, Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International and author of Job Hunting For Dummies(R), 2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), recently discussed the 10 strategies every would-be employee should follow."In this economic environment, applicants must be resourceful," said Messmer. "A successful job search often depends on who you know, which means candidates need to make sure their efforts are as far-reaching as possible."
Messmer offers the following top-10 list of essential tactics to help job seekers gain an edge in a tougher employment market:
1. Step outside your comfort zone. Avoid limiting your search to your current industry or field. Identify your transferable skills and experiences, and communicate them to prospective employers.
2. Minimize work history gaps. If you are unable to find a position right away, consider temporary assignments, internships and part-time opportunities, all of which can potentially lead to a full-time role.
3. Be flexible. Remain open to all possibilities, even if the job title, salary and benefits may not be exactly what you hoped for. Once you get your foot in the door, you will have a chance to prove yourself.
4. Find jobs before they're advertised. Read your local business journals and newspapers to identify companies that are hiring or expanding, and send them your resume.
5. Cast a wide 'net.' General job boards can be useful, but don't forget industry and trade association websites, which may have more targeted career opportunities.
6. Network -- online and off. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job, whether in-person or using professional networking websites.
7. Manage your digital footprint. Think your friends are the only people who viewed those less-than-professional vacation photos you posted online? Think again. With a few mouse clicks, potential employers can dig up information about you on blogs, personal websites and personal networking site profiles. Make sure you do a thorough self-search and take any necessary corrective action.
8. Customize. Tailor your resume and cover letter for each opportunity. Employers want to see why you're the right person for their job.
9. Enhance your marketability. Find out what skills are most in-demand and take steps to give yourself an edge in these areas. Focus on sharpening both functional and interpersonal skills.
10. Meet with a recruiter. Staffing executives can be your eyes and ears in the job market. Recruiters also provide useful feedback on your resume and interview skills, and help you locate full-time and temporary jobs.
Robert Half International has more than 360 staffing locations worldwide and offers online job search services at http://www.rhi.com/. The company recently released its Search Smarts: Best Practices for Conducting an Online Job Search, a complimentary guide that is available at http://www.rhi.com/OnlineJobSearch.
