On the last business day of September, there were more than 10 million job openings, according to the job openings and labor turnover summary (JOLTS) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of quits also increased to a high of 4.4 million. The largest number of ‘rage quits’ was seen in entertainment, recreation, and other services; as well as in state and local government education.
By now you have heard about the “Great Resignation,” a term coined by Texas A&M associate professor Anthony Klotz to describe the exodus of five million American workers who were hit directly by the pandemic. However, a recent report says as COVID-19 recedes, the workforce trend will be temporary.
So, if you are in the job market, whether for the first time or looking for the next step in your career, read on for some tips on how to land the job of your dreams.
1. Brush up your resume
When applying for jobs, applicants often copy and paste the same resume to multiple applications, which usually works
to their detriment. This is because recruiters know how to identify a cookie-cutter resume—and it makes the applicant seem disinterested and lazy. Templates are a good starting point if you are unsure how to format your resume, but do not stick rigidly to the template. Instead, look to add your flair and tailor the resume’s content to the specific job posting.
2. Research your job
When applying for a particular job, do your research into the company and the job itself. Arming yourself with information such as the company’s goals, vision, and job description will go far when it comes to separating you from the crowd. Then, work this information into your application documents (resumes, cover letters, covering emails) so that they will get noticed by recruiters.
3. Review your social media
Social media has changed the way people interact with each other. It has gone from being a mere gimmick to one of the main ways people communicate with businesses and stay in touch with family and friends and how employers conduct checks on prospective employees. The social life and history of an applicant are just as important as their professional life. Remember: What goes online can stay online for a long time. With that in mind, there are a couple of things to look out for when reviewing your social media profiles. First, check your privacy settings. Second, make sure that the media you post is only viewable by the people who you want to see it. Lastly, consider making a profile on a professionally focused social network such as LinkedIn. LinkedIn has many benefits to offer, being the largest professional social network globally, and recruiters often use it to post jobs and interview applicants.
4. Learn the art of Skype
Skype is fast becoming the premier way to interview applicants—the ability to video chat with anyone worldwide means that applicants are not necessarily restricted to their local area when applying for jobs. Create a Skype account and
familiarize yourself with how it works—you never know when an employer might invite you for a Skype interview.
5. Keep trying
The most important thing to remember is to keep applying, even if you do not find success initially. The job market today is highly competitive, and there are more applicants for positions than ever before. Do not think of rejections as failures—think of them as learning opportunities. Ask the recruiter what you could have improved on and focus on that for the next application. Then, your dream job will certainly find you.
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