What It Takes To Land A Job

 

In this digital landscape, the odds of landing a job are daunting: Instead of human resources departments screening up to 10 candidates for open opportunities, online job listings could generate hundreds, or even thousands, of candidates depending on the industry and company size.

 

The Internet killed the paper resume. What once was stacks of paper are now online job boards and social media sites where key words, not font and thicker paper stock, help you rise to the top.

 

Getting attention requires a well-managed social media marketing effort, extensive job research and a solid set of talking points. That means working 10 times harder to generate one valid job lead.

 

Here’s how to do it.

 

Have a Unified Online Presence

 

Getting noticed by employers starts online. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn need to be tied together to make one well-formed, seamless message.

 

Employers look at some or all of these prior to you even stepping through their doors. One reason prospective employers look for you on Facebook is for proof that you use and understand technology.

 

Get Noticed

 

To improve your standings, you need to truly understand how key word searching operates.

 

These key words are specific company jargon and buzz words for skills or traits that HR managers need in a successful candidate. Only people inside the company and closely tied to this position may know exactly what these skill sets are.

 

But there are ways to deduce these key words. Using websites such as wordle.net, job seekers can scan job descriptions and find out what industry buzz words are used most often. Place these key words in your online resumes and on your professional networking sites to move to the top of the queries recruiters are making. What matters most is that you are seen first and get a chance to be screened.

 

Know Your Talking Points

 

When you receive a call from an employer, remember they do not know you and do not really care about you. Don’t take this personally. It’s just business and your job hunt needs to be managed like a business. The way to stand out is to talk about the company and how your skills can impact the job they are looking to fill.

 

Many people will give an initial screener a sob story of how hard it is job hunting. Don’t do this. Over the past six years employers have heard all the tough stories from job seekers and they are tired of it. If you show you are different, you will have their attention. They want to hear how you can create value for them. Every word that comes out of your mouth needs to be about how you can leverage your skills for the company.

 

Walk the Talk

 

Gone are the days of multiple interviews in a week and multiple offers at the same time. When you walk into a company for an interview you must be at your best.

 

Know as much as possible about the company and what the position requires from a hard skill level to a soft skill level. Don't wait until the morning of your interview to start researching.

 

You need to be looking at the company’s social media sites, websites, marketing plans and any public information you can get your hands on. You need to leverage social media to dig for this information.

 

You must also walk in dressed to impress and with a personality to match. Your potential employer is looking at every small detail: walking, talking, phrasing, handshake and more. Remember your competition is strong, and everything you use to show you are better will be a factor in the firm’s final decision. You win this race by paying attention to the small details and soft skills. Employers can train for many hard skills but can’t for soft skills.

 

They want someone who will fit well with their teams, their business objectives, and they want a person who can bring results.

 

Be Likeable

 

Psychologically, people want to be with people they like; if they like you in comparison to others, you will stand out. With that said, you are not there trying to make a friend. Never talk about personal matters or negatively about former employers.

 

Be Attentive

 

Our brains are powerful, and it is easy to stray in your head during a conversation. Maybe you stray to something you forgot to do at home or a meeting with a friend later that day.

 

This is normal, but interviews are not the time for it. Use active listening skills, and focus on the conversation at hand. This interview is your future, and you cannot afford to miss a beat. You need to hear and respond to every interest they have. When you feel yourself straying, get back into the conversation at hand.

 

Always Be Ready

 

Landing a job is a success but not a reason to rest easy. Constantly look at how to improve your position and stand out.

 

It is more common for people to go from one company to another after two to four years. When you settle into a new job, never lose sight of the job opportunities in your industry. Always have an up-to-date online resume and be prepared to start a job hunt.

 

Companies and individuals that are versatile will be the ones that survive.

 

James Walker is the human resources manager at Len-Tex Corp., a Walpole-based manufacturer of custom wall coverings. He can be reached at www.linkedin.com/in/walkerjames or walkerflifsh@gmail.com.