Finally, 2014 is upon us! This is good news for job seekers whose searches may have stalled out in the last few months of the year: employers tend to ramp up hiring efforts again in January. Recruiter.com’s Kazim Ladimeji recently outlined new tactics for job seekers to try, based on current hiring trends. If you’re still looking, here are a few suggestions for search-related New Year’s resolutions. These you’ll want to keep!
Work your network. Studies have shown that a referral from a friend or contact goes a long way toward securing an interview and could even be a determining factor in the selection process thereafter.
Start learning a new language. In the U.S., bilingual employees are relatively few and far between. Being able to converse with partners, clients or vendors from another corner of the global marketplace is an extremely valuable skill set and will not only make you a more desirable candidate, but also increase your earnings potential.
Think outside the box. If you’re exclusively pursuing a full-time, permanent post, you may be in for a lengthy job search and quite a few months without a paycheck. For employers, the cost of providing staff with benefits is skyrocketing, so many are cutting costs by hiring fewer permanent staff, increasingly relying on a contingent workforce comprised of contractors and freelancers. Secure a few of these gigs, manage your time very wisely, and you can continue the job search while earning.
Get out of your comfort zone. When it comes to your approach, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But if you’re not getting interviews, it might be time to switch things up. For instance, a video resume or a highly creative, visual document will make you stand out. Consider your target companies – are they conservative? Trend-setting? – and tailor your strategy accordingly.
Get friendly. This may come as a shock, but employers hire people they like. Do your research on the company to determine whether you’d be likely to fit with their corporate culture, but also strive to endear yourself to your contacts at the company. If you make a positive, memorable impression, you’re more likely to be remembered beyond the interview.
Published by Conselium Executive Search, the global leader in compliance search.
