A competitive job market can mean multiple talented candidates vying for the same positions. Of course, competition varies across industries, but right now, it’s important for candidates to know how to stand out to land the job they’ve been dreaming of. 

Standing out in a competitive job market is not just about wearing the right clothes to your interview. Or even just about having a great interview. It’s about what you do before you even get to the table. The more you can prepare from the start, the more you’re going to stand out. 

This week, we’re focusing on some of the most important things you can do to get noticed. From polishing up your resume to changing your course when needed, following these tips will help you stand out in the marketplace. 

Screen Your Social Media 

Social media pages can help or totally derail job searches. It’s so important to make sure that what you’re putting on social media is clean and professional. In a 2018 poll, CareerBuilder found that 70% of employers checked a candidate’s social media, and 54% of them turned down a candidate based on what they found. So what can you do to stand out in a good way? 

Start by removing any photos that a hiring manager might find inappropriate, such as those involving questionable behavior, drug or alcohol use, bullying, and offensive memes or language. It’s also a good idea to review your recent comments and delete anything that could pose even a slight risk to your potential employment.

One strategy to make sure employers aren’t put off by your social media is to create a public profile for the world and a private one for friends and family. This ensures that you’re shining a light on your good character. And it sets up a healthy boundary between you and your employer. The more a hiring manager sees your professional side, the more you’re going to stand out in the hiring pool. 

Polish Up Your Resume 

Remember, your resume is the very first thing a hiring manager will see. The better your resume looks and reads, the more you will stand out in the job market. 

Here are five ways to enhance yours: 

• Use eye-catching keywords related to the job you’re applying for
• Stick to your most recent decade of experience
• Remove your career objective to make room for more important information
• Add a qualifications section highlighting your skills and achievements
• Work with pros, like a staffing service, to help you avoid common resume mistakes. 

Obtain Experience and Certifications 

When you’re working on your resume, you may find that your qualifications section is a little shorter than you’d like. This is a signal to enhance your education or certifications, pursuing ones that will help you stand out as a candidate in your chosen field. For some, this could mean finishing up a degree. For others, it might mean engaging in professional development to get an advanced certification in your field. 

It’s also a good idea to explore volunteer work, internships, or even part-time work in the field you’re focused on. This could give you just the right experience for a competitive edge. Plus, employers like to see that you voluntarily seek out experiences to improve your skills. 

Network!

We can’t stress enough how important it is to have a professional network. Having the right people in your corner can mean the difference between getting hired or losing out on a job. If you don’t have a particularly strong network, it’s time to build one! 

Build yours in-person, online, or both. You might try networking events, collecting business cards, or even setting up informational interviews with professionals in your field to get their insights. Mentorships can develop out of such meetings. And a mentor is one of the most powerful tools you can have. 

Online, you can maintain your network through sites like LinkedIn, virtual job fairs, and other professional online groups. Who knows, if you create enough quality relationships with enough people, they may just send the perfect job your way when it pops up.   

Don’t Be Afraid to Change Your Approach 

In a competitive job market, if you’re not achieving your desired results, it may be time to change your approach. Don’t be afraid to do this because it might just be the key to getting you hired. 

Keep in mind that you don’t have to do this on your own. One of the best decisions you can make to stand out in a competitive job market is to work with a staffing service. Trusted staffing teams, like Masiello’s, the Gold Standard in hiring have our fingers directly on the pulse of the local job market. 

An employment service will give you the best access to jobs in your area. We can help you polish your resume, hone your interviewing skills, and get you access to jobs that haven’t even been posted yet. 

So if you really want to stand out in a competitive job market, consider working with a staffing service. Since 1986, Masiello Employment Services has been helping job seekers stand out to employers. 

Across our service areas, from the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire to Franklin County, Massachusetts and Greater Brattleboro, Vermont, we help professionals find meaningful work. Don’t wait another second. Contact us today by calling 603 358 1000. Let’s find your new job and new life!