You may have heard of the power of ‘standing out’, especially when there is a lot of competition for jobs and positions. Many people struggle with landing a well-paying job that is fulfilling and rewarding even with adequate qualifications or experience. The art of appearing employable is a learned one and can take you far in your career if you know what to do. Here are some skills to master and some tips to help you land the job of your dreams.
Soft Skills And Personality
The importance of soft skills and personality is often overlooked when a job applicant is trying to prepare for an interview. The inclination may be towards being as knowledgeable as possible and having all the right answers but more often than not, an interviewer or potential employer are looking at your communication skills, vocabulary, body language and overall confidence and self-assurance. The right kind of personality can take you far so work on your communication skills, have a self-assured body language and know how to market yourself well.
Written skills also come under soft skills so if you struggle with language or feel you are not particularly eloquent, consider taking online or physical courses to brush up your writing and speaking. Public speaking seminars can be an invaluable resource for improving your speaking, volume of voice and overall delivery.
A vocal coach can be hired if you struggle with the volume of your voice or keeping a steady tone. Investing in yourself through learning and training can enhance your employability and help you become an attractive applicant for the kind of jobs you want.
Areas of Improvement
No one applicant has all the skills and qualifications for any particular career and most people are a mix, excelling in certain areas and lacking in others. Work through job listings and requirements in your relevant industry and make a list of the criteria that you can easily meet. In this self-analysis you will undoubtedly come across marked areas that need improvement. You can then seek courses or specialized training to help you improve in those areas.
A SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) is typically used for business analysis but can be helpful for personal evaluation if you do not know where to start.
Technical skills continuously need to be updated even if you do not work in IT. Virtually every type of business and workplace uses cloud systems and management software to manage their workload and reduce man hours so knowing as much as possible can help you stand out from the competition.
Many businesses will offer free training or seminars for applicants or internees to brush up their technical skills. Many people that are starting out in a particular industry may see the merit in interning for free to build up their experience until they can land a great job.
Make Friends
Employability is down to multiple factors in most cases depending on the type of business or career. Invest time and effort in building up a network with like-minded professionals so you always have the pulse on new opportunities and can get good advice. Attending seminars, workshops, and other such events can introduce you to industry leaders and professionals that can go a long way in boosting your employability and career.
Volunteering or interning at organizations can do the same along with building up experience as mentioned before. Platforms like LinkedIn and others are helpful for digital network building and sharing of opportunities.
People often share job openings or free training information on platforms like this so make sure you have an impressive profile there with an up-to-date photo. Having a well-made resume with a good bio on your professional networking accounts can encourage talent scouts and employers to consider your applications for jobs that inspire you.
Time Management
A key element of employability is a person’s ability to manage time effectively for maximum output or productivity. Many people may have a range of skills but due to poor project management skills or the inability to delegate effectively, their speed and competence may come into question.
Digital tools for time management such as to-do lists and reminders are invaluable as are cloud computing solutions and automation software. Employers are usually looking for someone with the gift of effective time management since it saves resources of which man hours is a major one.
Strategic Thinking
Critical and strategic thinking is vital for quickly solving problems and it throws the spotlight on you for a leadership position. Leaders in any arena are quick to take responsibility and find solutions that can benefit the organization. Employability is partially determined by competence, skill level and a leadership stance and acumen.
Employers look at an applicant’s history or past work experience to determine other people’s feedback since it tells them how good the latter is at solving problems and being proactive to get to solutions and mobilize others. Activities that count as ‘neurobics’ such as puzzles, chess or reading or even guessing games you can play on your computer or phone can make you sharp.
Mentors to Guide
Actively seeking mentorship of a respected professional in your industry often counts as much or more than work experience. Utilize any opportunity to get mentorship from a senior colleague or professional even if you have to spend time learning in an unpaid internship.
Mentors can help you make career adjustments and changes and even help you understand your own acumen. There is usually an opportunity cost when you pick one job over another and it is helpful to have a second opinion so you can use your time and skills most effectively.
Mentors can also guide you regarding the other aspects of being employed like insurance and employment law in case legal troubles arise.
A Professionally Made, Dashing CV
A CV or resume is oftentimes an employer’s first look at you and your personality and achievements. There is a variety of free and paid software that can convert a boring document that serves as your CV to an interesting and dazzling foray into your enthusiasm for work and career advancement.
In today’s world, employers are looking for a visual and well-designed CV that is organized with information and yet eye-catching. This kind of CV or resume can give a good impression and show you are keen to work at the job you have applied for due to a passion for your line of work.
Sharing A Story
When people apply to university they are often asked to write personal statements which reflect their interests and skills. To enhance your employability, use the powers of storytelling to show the skills you have and the things you are good at.
Employers love good marketing and a job applicant having a great story is like a brand having an interesting brand story or concept. It makes you much more employable.
Conclusion
Employability can be cultivated in an individual with a willingness to learn, a confident, self-assured personality and a zest for developing one’s career with training and hard work.
When you are applying for jobs that inspire you, do not leave the matter to chance and work on your resume to develop skills, gain valuable work experience and network with peers and senior professionals who have a lot to teach you.