by Guest Author, Miles Oliver
When you start looking for a new job, you’ll likely hear much about qualifications. Experts will tell you the professional prerequisites you must have to find a job in your chosen field. However, the truth is that landing a new position requires more than just a stuffed resume. You also need to work on yourself and enhance your employability. There are many ways to prove your worth beyond your resume.
This guide will present the actionable tips you need to define yourself and stand out from the crowd so you can land your dream job.
Work On A Plan And Define Your Brand
The first step in increasing your employability is to create a career plan with short-term goals that can help you find a job.
By achieving goals, you can stay motivated to continue your job search, and your optimism will be apparent to interviewers. Set a realistic timeline for when you hope to reach certain goals, which might include applying to a certain number of jobs or handing out a number of resumes. Don’t set lofty goals that are impossible to reach, or you could become discouraged.
Another essential step in your career plan is to research your industry. What industry publications can you read that will give you a leg up on the competition? By analyzing your industry, you can also learn where there are employee shortages and gaps you can fill with your expertise. Finally, don’t forget to always keep upskilling. No, the resume isn’t everything, but it can’t hurt to have as many skills as possible so you can really impress when you get the job.
Hone Your Personal Brand
A key part of your career plan should be to work on and define your own personal brand. Who are you, and how are you different from the other applicants? That’s what you need to define. Start by creating a brand audit. Think about the skills and values that make you a valued employee. Ask yourself what motivates you to wake up each morning, the talents you’re most proud of, and what tasks energize you. The answers will help to define your brand. When you look for opportunities, try to find those that match what you bring to the table, and you can find the perfect job.
Keep your eye on the prize when you’re looking for a position. Don’t let anything contradict your personal brand. For instance, be cautious of how you use social media. You don’t want to say that part of your brand is being a team player and then have posts on Facebook where you’re bashing a past employer.
Networking Is Key
You’ve likely heard the phrase, “It’s not what you know but who you know,” and that’s as true today as when it was written. The text on your resume may be impressive. Still, it can pale in comparison to having a person of authority who knows your skills and abilities firsthand, especially if they’re in a position to help you out.
One of the best ways to enhance your employability is to attend networking events, especially those for your particular industry. Go there and have conversations. Your discussions may not immediately revolve around your professional experience, but that’s okay. Sometimes, how you present yourself and share your ideas may be all you need to impress an important person.
Once you make a connection, continue to hone it over time. The key is to build a healthy relationship with people who can help you. Treat them and their associates with respect and try to be open-minded. Also, set personal boundaries. Ask for their preferred form of communication and stick to that. If they like texts and emails, then don’t call, especially late at night or early in the morning.
Another way to maintain good professional relations and stay positive during your job search is to realize that networking can go both ways. If you catch wind of a job and you know your connection may be a good fit, tell them about it. Put in a good word for them. They’ll likely return the favor later on.
Impress During The Interview
A great way to enhance your employability is to impress during the interview. How you act and present yourself can tell the hiring manager a lot. By preparing prior to the interview and providing well thought-out answers, you’ll show the employer that you put in the work, and they’ll likely believe that you’ll put in that same effort once you’re hired.
If you work in the arts or a visual profession, you can boost your employability by showing your work portfolio. Telling an employer you can take beautiful pictures or draw up blueprints is one thing, but showing them is another, and it can make a big difference. In addition to your samples, your work portfolio can include proof of degrees and licenses, letters of recommendation, and anything else you think will impress the hiring manager.
A final method that will impress during the interview is presenting a 30-60-90 day plan for what you expect to accomplish if you’re hired at the company. Within 30 days, your goal could be to learn the important aspects of the job so you can hit the ground running. The goal at 60 days could be to become sufficient with all the necessary software. At 90 days and beyond, you could set long-term goals about projects you hope to tackle that will benefit the new company. This type of strategy will certainly set you apart from the other applicants.
Conclusion
If you really want to find your dream job, you may have to think outside the box and find methods to enhance your employability. These methods are a great start. Create a plan, make connections, and impress during the interview, and you’ll exponentially increase your chances of success.
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About the author: Miles Oliver is a freelance contributor whose writing focuses on professional development. You can reach him at moliverpages@gmail.com.
