10 Tips to be Marketable and get Hired NOW

Wow, can you believe 2024 is here?! As we enter a new year, do you find yourself wondering why you’re still searching for the ideal fit? Why have you been getting interviews, but not actually getting any offers? Why are you applying to hundreds of openings and not getting a response? 

Every time I speak with a candidate who is actively looking for their next opportunity, I leave them with some tangible, actionable steps to help them put their best foot forward. Since I can’t speak with everyone, I thought it would be helpful to share my favorites that you can put into play NOW. 

I could list dozens of ideas, but wanted to share my top 10 simple tips to help candidates get noticed AND land their next position. Here we go!

1. Before you begin, have a clear goal and direction in mind for your next role. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, how do you find it? Think about the specifics of your daily work. Are you passionate about team building? Do you love patient interaction? Would you prefer managing a region versus a smaller territory? If you’re unclear about what the best next step should be, talk to trusted professionals- mentors, family, friends and recruiters. They will give you helpful feedback and help you to reflect and confirm what gets you excited to wake up for. What do YOU want?
2. Assess your linkedin profile. Is it complete? Do you have a professional headshot? Do you have a detailed tagline and summary? Is it succinct? Do you share your greatest accomplishments? Consider your linkedin profile as your personal ad- what does someone learn about you when they see it? A hiring manager should be able to get a clear idea of your skill set and what you’re looking for in your next role. Do this with your resume too. I’ve heard it takes an average of 7 seconds for a person (AI probably less) to scan a resume and decide if they want to move forward with that candidate or not. What makes you stand out? 
3. Stop spinning your wheels applying for positions that you’re not qualified for and focus your valuable time and effort on those you are. Be smart and targeted with your search. Think about your competition and be honest with yourself. 
4. Network with EVERYONE! You never know who will be the connection that will lead to your next opportunity. Most people want to be helpful, so don’t hold back sharing your professional goals with those you trust. Attend networking events, industry focused conferences and meetings, join groups online and in person and of course, connect with other professionals on linkedin. Request a few minutes of their time to ask about how they got their role and if they suggest someone else to speak to. All of these small efforts during the hunt will lead to the ultimate treasure- employment.
5. Speaking of LinkedIn, use LinkedIn as a resource for information, interaction and increasing awareness. If you are a professional, you should have a LinkedIn profile. You don’t have to spend hours a day for it to be a useful tool. Focusing your time to connect with leaders and colleagues can absolutely be a difference maker in your job search. Post regularly and comment on others’. This interaction will increase the likelihood of decision makers finding YOU.
6. Be prepared for your interviews! Take the time to think about your stories of success and some smart questions to ask the interviewer. Write these down! Test your technology, be on time and if it’s in person, NEVER show up empty handed! Bring copies of your resume and anything that supports your fit and history of success i.e. certifications, awards etc. 
7. Be genuine, honest and confident. Smile! There is only ONE YOU and it doesn’t matter who you’re competing against. Be able to share your professional story in a detailed, succinct way. It shouldn’t take you longer than a few minutes to run through your work history- whether it’s 25 years or 2. Tip: record yourself and use a timer. If it far exceeds a few minutes, work on making it shorter. Show your personality and seek to connect with the interviewer on a personal level. Take a deep breath and remember that they are human, just like you. 
8. Never forget to send a follow up email to thank the interviewer! This is your last chance to leave a lasting impression. Be personable, direct and reiterate your interest in the opportunity. Ask for the job or next steps. Many times I have had a client tell me that they loved a candidate, but they didn’t send a timely thank you. Because of it, it was a huge turn off and they didn’t move them forward. Don’t let this be you!
9. Follow up, follow up, follow up! People get busy and they have many priorities. It never hurts to send a polite nudge, if you haven’t gotten a decision or response in a few days. One of my favorite mantras is “the fortune is in the follow up”.
10. Lastly, be patient with the process. Timing is everything and anything worthwhile is worth waiting for. 

I hope your biggest takeaway from this list is that if you are passionate, prepared and patient with your job search, you WILL land something great. Lean into what sets you apart from others and learn how to share it in a smart, succinct way. Good luck with your search!