5 Quick Tips To Beat The Summer Job Rush

5 Quick Tips to Beat the Summer Job Rush Anyone with a weather eye on the job market knows that things are really heating up this summer season. The economic system seems prefer it’s (finally) starting to crawl its way out of recession, and the resultant optimism has stimulated a sudden surge of job purposes that’s simply overwhelmed the paltry variety of open positions currently out there. As a result, securing a properly-paid job that gives real alternatives for advancement is slowly changing into harder and more durable, significantly when you’re applying in a way that doesn’t stand out from the sudden glut of competing applications you’re contending with. Luckily, there are a few easy things that can actually assist you to to beat the summer time job rush and stand head and shoulders above the oncoming wave of candidates. I like to think about them as my secret cheat sheet, however I guess they’re posted on-line now, so they’re not a lot of a secret anymore! All of the following tips are very, very easy to put into apply; they’re easy, and I’ve picked them out specifically as a result of they can be utilized to generate real ends in a very quick period of time. 1. Pick Up the Phone! I can guarantee that 90% of the competitors are simply firing off software forms and resumes, hoping that somebody (not a robot) on the other finish is actually going to take the time to learn through the identical routine boilerplate they’ve read 30+ instances that day before sending off an invite to interview. Newsflash: they’re not! Don’t be lulled into considering that hitting the “apply” button actually counts as applying for a job. (Click here to tweet this thought.) In this day and age, you really need to do one thing to catch your potential employer’s attention, and it needn’t be a big thing, both â€" merely call as much as ask a question in regards to the application, or inquire about whether or not experience with this system or that application may help. Chances are, the particular person on the different end will actually recognize the truth that you’re not just drumming out resumes like a mindless automaton and, providing you’re well mannered and pleasa nt, you’ll probably make a optimistic impression, too. Win-win. Of course, I wouldn’t advise doing this 24/7. Reserve it for the roles you really need, and ensure your questions are relevant; in any other case some individuals may start to take umbrage. It’s one thing to attempt to stand out, but another factor totally to start out losing people’s time. 2. Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out to Any Agencies in Your Area Funnily sufficient, lots of companies go quiet right now of year. Certainly in my expertise, the summer season seems to drive people into making use of directly, and while we’ll still decide people up on forums and websites, this can be a great time of year to truly choose up the phone and go attempting to find an excellent agency your self. I know a number of companies in the UK (where I work) who respond particularly well to inquiries, and they always take pleasure in it when folks attain out and make contact with them for opportunities. So don’t be afraid of the considerably daunting company “machine” that appears to scare of most clients at this time of year â€" the vast majority of recruitment professionals are nonetheless folks, albeit very driven folks with an actual concentrate on placing candidates as fast as potential. They’ll do their best to help. 3. Learn a Small, Tangentially Related Skill There are, in my expertise, usually quite a lot of small and relatively unusual expertise that are wanted to do necessary day-to-day jobs in most industries â€" like using contact display money registers in the service business, or modifying a photograph for your firm’s blog if you work in marketing or journalism. Most of the time, you possibly can educate yourself these expertise properly upfront of applying for a job, simply by doing somewhat little bit of analysis or by discovering a free how-to information. Now, I’m not suggesting you be taught a brand new language here, or find out how to restore motorbikes earlier than making use of for that job on the tire shop. Think small wins, like mastering a content management system you realize you’ll be utilizing, or working towards with WordPress if you know that may be a part of your day by day routine. Employers really love this as a result of it reveals that you simply’re dedicated to being the best you could be, and because it cuts down on the coaching time they know they’ll want to invest once you really start the job. So, should you’re looking for a fast way to stand out from all the opposite candidates with comparable qualifications to you, have a fast have a look at tools you understand you could be using on the job, and make sure you cram them onto your resume! 4. Got the Interview? Make Sure You Don’t Go Dehydrated This may sound like a strange one, but I promise you it’s essential. It’s straightforward to let interview stress interrupt your normal eating and ingesting habits, however forgoing necessities like a glass of water can actually take a toll in the course of the summer season months when the extraordinary heat and fixed sun can rapidly dehydrate you Dehydration has a variety of very adverse consequences â€" it can cloud your considering, make your responses seem sluggish and, worst of all, make you look very tired. I distinctly bear in mind one employer telling me a promising client I’d recommended looked “very tired” after an interview that basically ought to have gone better, and I’m sure that she’ll all the time look back at a missed opportunity like that and suppose, “If solely I’d taken higher care of myself that morning…” 5. Stand Out, But Don’t Go Overboard â€" You’re Not a Peacock! Some more interview advice: I know it may be actually tempting to indicate off a bit, significantly in the summer when you'll be able to really wear slightly extra daring types with out running the chance of being frozen en-route. But it’s essential to remember that you’re attending an expert interview. Generally, it’s okay to wear something that’ll assist you to to stand out so long as it’s recognizable enterprise apparel, however I’d at all times recommend that you simply err on the side of warning, since you'll be able to by no means tell what attitudes or preconceived notions your interviewer will have. What’s in your plan of attack for finding a job through the summer season? Share in the comments! Image: Photobucket