10 QUICK TIPS FOR BECOMING MORE EMPLOYABLE

In our last several blog posts, we’ve discussed how you, the job seeker, can work with staffing agencies. Now we’re going to turn the focus from staffing agencies to YOU!
That’s right: we’re going to address how you should work on yourself.
What does that mean, exactly? Well, you’re not applying for jobs in a vacuum. You’re competing against other people. Sometimes, it’s a lot of other people. What you need is an advantage. (Actually, what you want is more than one advantage.)
Below are 10 quick tips for becoming more employable:
#1—Be 100% objective about your hire-ability.
You’re not going to get very far if you’re deluding yourself about this. To become more employable, you must correctly ascertain both your strengths and weaknesses. Then you must emphasize your strengths and work to improve your weaknesses.
#2—Submit customized resumes.
You just can’t “shotgun blast” your resumes everywhere. That approach doesn’t work anymore. In fact, it may never have worked. You must send thoughtfully constructed and customized resumes for each position for which you apply. Is it more work? Of course it is.
#3—Leverage the value of social media.
You knew this one was coming, right? Social media is about more than posting memes and kitty-cat videos. Or memes that include kitty-cats. There are employment opportunities on social media, especially on sites like LinkedIn. And yes, Facebook and Twitter hold considerable value in this area, too.
#4—Take a more proactive approach.
The “wait and see” approach will not work. Good things come to those who wait? Maybe if you throw a boomerang, but we’re talking about the employment marketplace here. Giddy-up!
#5—Network, network, network.
One way to be more proactive (#4) is to proactively network. One way to proactively network is to leverage the value of social media (#3). See how all of this works together?
#6—Gain a wider range of experiences.
We’re talking about volunteering and internships here, anything that will provide with you a greater perspective. Employers prefer to hire people who are more “worldly” due to their varied experiences.
#7—Increase your flexibility.
Don’t “paint yourself into a corner” by only wanting to consider a narrow set of employment opportunities. After all, a job outside of that narrow set may provide you with the wider range of experiences (#7) that can help you in the future.
#8—Improve your branding experience.
What does this mean? It means making sure that everybody with whom you come into contact has a great experience. When you provide a great experience, it means people want to be around you. AND it means they’re more likely to hire you.
#9—Become an “interview ninja.”
The interview is where you close the deal, so it makes sense that you master its ins and outs. Train and practice hard to become the best that you can be during the face-to-face interview. It will reap rewards.
#10—Engage in continuous training and education.
Never stop evolving and trying to become better. Don’t just improve your “hard skills,” either. Strive to improve your “soft skills.” Those sometimes make the difference when you’re competing for a job against other people.
There you have it: 10 quick tips for becoming more employable. The clock is ticking. Start today and take the next step in your career development.
And don’t forget to check out the job opportunities that are available on the Time Staffing website!