As we enter a season where many people consider taking their next career step (hello new year), we want to offer our top tips for your job search. We polled our network of recruiting contacts and asked about their top tips as well.
- Sapna Ramachandran with Kitestring Technical Consulting Services advises showcasing in-demand skills.
“My top tip for candidates in the current job market is to focus on showcasing adaptability and in-demand skills. Tailor your resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight experiences that align with emerging industry trends, such as AI, automation, and digital transformation. If you do not have relevant skills, invest your time into upskilling through certifications and online courses. Also, prepare thoroughly for interviews by researching companies and demonstrating how your unique skill set can address their specific challenges and goals.”
- Mike Whittington, President of Match Point Recruiting advises candidates to set themselves apart from the competition.
“I encourage candidates to show not only why they are a good fit for a position but also how they are better than others who could be considered for the same role. Although we have low unemployment, we seem to be in an employer-driven market where companies have dozens of candidates applying for open positions. The key is to stand out from the competition, either with your resume or interview skills.”
- Stephanie Shine at Arkansas Talent Group says to ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile are getting you notice.
“If you’re on the hunt for a job, make sure your LinkedIn profile and resume are job search-ready. Many candidates are submitting applications with typos or use fancy templates that just don’t work. Keep it simple—avoid those one-pagers with split formatting, colors, or pictures. These can actually deter hiring managers or recruiters.”
“Take the time to polish your resume and LinkedIn, and you’ll stand a much better chance of catching a company’s eye in this competitive market. The first place that employers or recruiters go after you submit your resume is LinkedIn. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile updated or don’t have one, you run the risk of potentially not being contacted.”
At Skills Lab Training we advise that this is the time to active your networks. We harp on networking as our #1 tip in many aspects of career growth. It is the same during a job search. This is the time to lean into your networks that have hopefully been developing over your career. 70% of job changes are achieved through a network connection. People like to recommend their friends and hiring managers love candidates that come with a good referral. If people know about your job search, they likely want to help and can open doors that you didn’t think of. Asking for help or touting your accomplishments may be uncomfortable normally, but this is the time to push past the discomfort.
