How to get a job in 2017

How to get a job in 2017: Stand out with a story, brand and evidence

If a new job is on your radar this year, you need a strong story, consistent brand and evidence that you can add value, according to recruiting experts Hays.

“We’re seeing more job opportunities in highly-skilled industries across New Zealand,” says Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand. “But despite a shortage of suitably skilled and experienced candidates, a focus on securing the most useful person has seen employers become more mindful when recruiting.

“Employers won’t take a chance on a candidate who doesn’t meet all their criteria, meaning jobseekers need to work hard to prove they are the right person for the job and possess the necessary technical and soft skills along with the right cultural fit.

“Once identified, employers move quickly to secure the right person – whether that’s in a temporary or permanent capacity.”

To stand out and secure your next career-advancing move, Hays suggests you:

Be honest: Employers won’t consider you if you don’t match 100% of a job’s requirements. So before applying, ask yourself if your skills and experience match those required for the job you want. If not, look for opportunities to up-skill yourself within your own time in order to be ready to apply the next time a similar job becomes available.

Service your CV and online profiles regularly: Employers move quickly once they identify highly-skilled suitable talent. Regularly updating your CV and online profiles to reflect the progression of your skills, responsibilities and successes ensures you project an accurate representation of the value you offer. It also keeps you ready to apply the minute your dream job becomes available.

Provide evidence: When updating your CV, add quantifiable achievements and results to give hiring managers the evidence they want that you produce results. One simple trick to help you do this is to use action verbs to bring your successes front and centre. For example, instead of writing that you managed a team, try verbs such as ‘directed’, ‘united’ or ‘motivated’. I.e. ‘I united and motivated a team of five underperformers. After one year our customer service scores had increased 55%.’

Know your story: A unique selling proposition, or USP, differentiates you in the candidate market based on your personal strengths, skills, experience and value. It spells out why an employer should select you above all other candidates. If you don’t have a USP, identify it so you have an authentic and consistent story that communicates to hiring managers the value you could provide to them.

Be aware of your brand: From the blogs you write to your status updates, the people and organisations you follow to the content you like, your collective online activity personifies your ‘brand’. Hiring managers research you online so make your brand work for you by ensuring every update, tweet and share is aligned to your area of expertise, communicates what you’ve done and is true to who you are.

Consider temporary roles: Temporary and contract roles have become the ‘new normal’ in workplaces and can give your career a boost. By undertaking a temporary assignment you gain experience in new areas, develop new contacts and increase your confidence. And while some people see temporary assignments as their ideal lifestyle choice, others use them as stepping stones to permanency.

For more please see the following videos: Your CV, Cover Letter & Skills, The job interview and Your personal brand.

Hays is the most followed recruitment agency on LinkedIn in the world. Join Hays’ growing network by following Hays Worldwide. You can also get expert advice, insights and the latest recruitment news by following Hays on Twitter @HaysNewZealand.

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