{"id":27764,"date":"2023-03-13T06:35:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-13T13:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.job-hunt.org\/?p=27764"},"modified":"2023-03-13T06:42:42","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T13:42:42","slug":"get-market-ready-by-investing-in-and-using-job-search-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.job-hunt.org\/get-market-ready-by-investing-in-and-using-job-search-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Market-Ready by Investing in and Using Job Search Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Vulnerability is the word that experienced job seekers use to describe something they desperately want to avoid in their next job search. Getting out of touch with the job market can happen surprisingly fast, even if it\u2019s only been a few years since your last job search. Minimize your risk exposure by sharpening or maintaining job search skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you keeping your job skills up to date? Good move to future-proofing your career! An equally important but often overlooked skill set is the one needed to conduct a job search. Being a savvy job seeker requires a cross-section of skills<\/strong>, including writing, researching, marketing, sales, presentation skills, and cultivating an online presence<\/a>. Avoid getting overwhelmed when you\u2019ve lost a job<\/a> by positioning yourself for success today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you throw your hands up in the air, investigate available resources (many of which are low-cost or no cost). Consider a month-to-month LinkedIn premium membership<\/a> to test features and determine the benefits. When you are ready to launch a search, you can then renew the subscription to take full advantage of the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take these five simple steps to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Consider Your Resume a Living Document<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your resume remains a mandatory ticket to the game. Don\u2019t let it collect dust or you\u2019ll delay entry into the game. Update your resume<\/a> as needed or at least yearly to include position changes, additions to education<\/a>, certifications, new skills<\/a>, etc. Capture accomplishments with contributions cited in performance appraisals, acknowledged by awards won<\/a> or proven with goals achieved through incentive plans. Memories are short and recall is difficult if you don\u2019t document along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get on a recruiter\u2019s radar more effectively by archiving your resume on LinkedIn<\/strong> with this feature. On your profile, go to \u201cJobs,\u201d then \u201cApplication Settings,\u201d click on \u201cUpload Resume,\u201d and toggle the switch to \u201cShare your resume with all recruiters.\u201d A recruiter can now use the data from your resume and profile<\/a> to match your skills, experience, education, and accomplishments with the position they are seeking to fill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Treat Your LinkedIn Profile as a Dynamic Marketing Tool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Setting up a profile<\/a> is step one to being findable by employers, but all you\u2019ve accomplished at this stage is telling the world you\u2019re open for business. Don\u2019t assume you now have a placeholder and nothing more needs to be done for if\/when you start an active search. Understand that recruiters are always scouting for talent. Most are using the behind-the-scenes LinkedIn Recruiter tool<\/a>, using search criteria to sort through the 875 million worldwide users. Stay current and relevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Periodically review and update these three sections in particular: headline<\/a>, job titles<\/a>, and skills<\/a><\/strong>. These are the most highly indexed by LinkedIn\u2019s algorithms (i.e., they\u2019re given more weight than other sections). Recruiters focus their search here, so give them reasons to keep eyeballs on your story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n