Even in the best of times, competition for jobs can be fierce. Fortunately, there are many ways to stand out from the competition and make yourself more hireable.
When thinking about making yourself more hireable, think about what you would want in an employee and ask yourself if you embody those things. What would you want to know about a potential hire, and how would you go about finding that out?
Then take the steps with your resume, social media profile, and skills and qualifications to fill the gaps. In this article we’ll look at eight ways to make yourself more hireable:
Build your online presence
Update and maintain your LinkedIn profile
Update your resume and tailor it to each job posting
Network, network, network (then network some more)
Volunteer
Upskill
Be helpful
Ask others for help and advice
Eight ways to make yourself more hireable
Build your online presence
Research consistently finds that a vast majority of hiring managers look at social media to screen candidates. And they are less likely to interview a candidate they can’t find online. Obviously, you want them to like what they see. Put your best face forward and showcase your best qualities in everything you post and every interaction you have. Keep photos up to date and post compelling content that is appropriate to each platform. Interact with others, comment on their content, and respond when people interact with you. Think twice before getting into arguments with strangers or posting anything you would not want an employer to see.
Update and maintain your LinkedIn profile
While LinkedIn is technically part of your “online presence,” it’s of extra importance because it’s where most employers go first, so it gets its own bullet point. Give LinkedIn some extra love. Create a compelling summary and keep your work history up to date. Remove unnecessary content and be sure to include all of the workplace accomplishments that demonstrate what a great hire you are. Check your LinkedIn regularly for changes you should make.
Update your resume and tailor it to each job posting
Many people just send out the same resume for every job application. This is a strategy that is unlikely to lead to success. Studies have found that recruiters want to receive resumes tailored to the role for which they’re hiring. Not only that, but customizing your resume to each role and including relevant keywords found in the job posting will increase the chances that your document makes it past the bot that will probably read it first and into the hands of an actual human. It’s more work, but you should do it. Use keywords found in the job posting and highlight skills the employer is looking for. For more on how to to this read: LINK.
Network, network, network (then network some more)
The more people you know, the more likely you are to hear about relevant positions and to know someone connected to the company where you want to work. It’s hard to network in person at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but you can still connect with people online and maintain your existing connections. Find people in your industry to connect with but don’t just stick to your industry. Everyone knows people outside of what they do (software engineers at security companies don’t only know other engineers at security companies) and anyone in any industry or position can be the one to help you land a new role. Stay in regular touch with people, so you’re not just reaching out when you need a favour.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to make yourself more hireable and has a number of benefits. Not only have hiring managers been shown in surveys to give preference to candidates with volunteer experience but volunteering also allows you to contribute to your community and to the greater good. It also expands your network and connects you with new people and experiences, and meaningful volunteer work can expand your worldview and be a learning experience.
Upskill
Adding to your skill set will always make you more attractive to employers. You don’t have to go back to school to do this. You can do it easily by reading, self-teaching, and taking online courses. The skills employers value that everyone should learn include, but are not limited to: writing and communications, basic coding, Excel, Photoshop, email marketing, public speaking, and data science and analysis. Find skills related to the job you want and learn them.
Be helpful
Helping others is one of the greatest ways to improve your chances of success and also your personal wellbeing. Helping others improves our happiness, which improves our attitudes and makes us more attractive employees. It also endears us to people who will be eager to help us in return, meaning that if they see an opportunity to help you get a job they are more likely to do so. If you see an opportunity to assist someone, take it. It can be as simple as answering a question on social media or as complicated as helping someone design a building. You know what you’re good at and where you can be of help to others. Be generous with your time and expertise.
Ask others for help and advice
It might seem counterintuitive but asking others for help can actually make them like you more and be more inclined to help you in the future. It’s called the “Ben Franklin Effect.” Benjamin Franklin once said that “He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another than he whom you yourself have obliged.” And research supports this theory. Probably because people think you’re smart to ask them for help. Similarly, Research at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania found that asking for advice may increase perceptions of competency in the advice seeker, possibly because the person whose advice is sought thinks you’re smart to ask them. This doesn’t mean you should be a burden. Be judicious with your asks and keep them small. But, when an opportunity presents itself, show your respect for others by asking them for help and advice. This tactic also has the added benefit of allowing you to grow through the insights of others.
We can take steps to make ourselves more hireable and advance our careers every day. Keep working at it and you will reap the rewards.
