The job market typically reflects the overall economic landscape. If the economy sputters, growing in fits and starts as the effects of the pandemic begin to lessen in 2021, businesses may still hold back on hiring new people.
In such an unpredictable job market already inundated with skilled professionals seeking work, you have to find ways to stand out from the crowd. When you land job interviews, making strong and positive impressions on recruiters who are evaluating candidate after candidate day in and day out is the next big challenge.
Here, 11 members of Forbes Coaches Council predict the future health of the job market, offering their best tips for job seekers to find new employment this year.
Forbes Coaches Council members discuss the best ways to find new employment in 2021.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Focus On What You Can Control
The secret to handling change is to focus on what you can control and face uncertainty with determination. We have a choice. If your mental bandwidth is tapped into fear, make a conscious decision to pivot and discover a solution. If you are looking for new employment, use the time to execute your ideas. We are presented with an opportunity to reshape the world as we transition from “now” to “next.” - Karen Dubi, Flexible Mindset Strategies
2. Take A Proactive Stance
Things are looking up, but volatility with surges and purges in the market will continue. Workforce transformation was affecting the market before Covid-19, and it will continue to after. The best action to take is to assume a proactive stance by monitoring your field for emerging opportunities, evolving your skills and optimizing your brand to stay relevant, valuable and visible in the market. - Gillian Kelly, Outplacement Australia
3. Demonstrate Learning Agility, Resilience And Technical Acumen
The job market appears to be coming back in a “lumpy” way. What do I mean? It is recovering differently by industry type, by geography and by the ways in which people will engage with the job market itself. Organizations continue to automate, thereby requiring entrants into the job market to demonstrate learning agility, resilience and some level of technical acumen. - Michael Brainard, Brainard Strategy
4. Try To Stand Out In The Application Process
The job market is more competitive than ever. Make the extra effort to stand out in the application process. Spend time thinking about what, specifically, makes you better than other candidates. Then, look for ways to bring it to life in the application process. Include a great cover letter, add some design to your resume or submit a video to accompany your application. Break through the noise. - Krista Neher, Boot Camp Digital
Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
5. Start By Answering These Questions
Answer these questions to orient yourself around a job search: First, “What are the problems I solve?” and then, “Who has those problems?” Specify the title of the person who would be your manager, the industry focus and size of company, and list 50 companies that fit. How do you get in front of them? This may be through networking, recruiters or job boards. Ask, “What do I say when I get there?” Prepare 15 short stories that illustrate your value. - Dan Silvert, Velocity Advisory Group
6. Be Positive, Confident And Flexible
Globally, countries are slowly recovering from the impact of Covid-19. Economies and stock markets are looking up. Jobs have also begun to be created in several industries in most countries. However, jobs lost during this period may not come back in their old form. My advice would be to be positive, confident and yet flexible about the new job, acquire new skills in the meantime and stay hopeful. - Gowri Ramani, Coach Lumen
7. Stay Current And Top Of Mind
The job market continues to hold opportunities, and some jobs are created by those who search for them. Pay attention to where the demand is. Optimize your opportunities by preparing yourself with new skills or honing the ones you have. Reflect on how agile you are in different conditions and what you’ve learned. Prepare to provide well-thought-out examples for the interview. - Debra Kasowski, Debra Kasowski International
8. Be Creative And Think Outside The Box
Today’s job market is unique, as employees now have the opportunity to apply for jobs anywhere in the world. Competition is high, yet there is a place for everyone. The trick is to make sure you are being creative and thinking outside the box to capture and demand attention in a powerful yet humble way. If you are just sending in a résumé, you will struggle to be seen. Reach out, connect and be known. - Christie Garcia, Mindful Choice, LLC.
9. Polish Up Your Communication Skills
I think we are already seeing the job market tighten. The best people are already working somewhere. If you are looking for employment, find a way to demonstrate your competitive advantage in a particular role or position. Also, polish up those communication skills. Great communicators rarely have problems finding jobs. - Michael Mirau, ProActive Leadership Group
10. Gain Skills That Involve Leading Teams
The job market will continue to grow, and I encourage someone looking for a job to gain new skills in areas that involve leading teams. Technical skills have not been identified as the most desired competencies. Today, team performance is the new currency, as it speaks to a group’s ability to innovate and problem-solve. New job seekers should seek opportunities where they can solve problems. - Terri Williams, The Above Average School
11. Focus On Building Transferable Skills
To stay in the job market, focus on transferable skills, demonstrate flexibility and initiative and work to read what is needed from the outside in. What do the stakeholders in the field you work in need? Listen to the intelligence in the whole system and be innovative in matching what’s being said. In these ways, you will stand out and be more employable. - Clare Beckett-McInroy, Qatar Financial Centre
