The current job market is a tough place. Denying the harsh reality won't help job seekers get the jobs they want, so the best approach is to accept the truth about the situation: employers have strict criteria for candidates, recruiters don't always have time to treat applicants as human beings, and no job offers lifelong security. Most job seekers don't understand the job market, which only hampers them in their search for the right job.
The tragic truth is that most people simply don't understand how to conduct a successful job search in today's job market. Sending an identical resume to every employer in town and hoping for the best is no longer enough. Those hunting for vacancies in the current job market need to know how to tailor their resume for each position as well as which job boards to use to find the freshest vacancies.
Even areas of your life that might seem unconnected to the job search are now relevant. You need to pay close attention to your social media profiles, as recruiters will almost certainly take a look at them when reviewing your application. Try searching your name online to see what comes up; if there is anything negative, delete it you can. If you can't get a negative result deleted, try to bury it by setting up numerous social media profiles that show you in a positive light.
The harsh truth is that the current job market is heavily weighted in favor of employers. As a result, recruiters are able to hold out for an exact match for their requirements rather than training someone who almost meets them. Focus your search on jobs for which you meet the requirements, and always feature your most relevant skills, experiences and qualifications prominently on your resume.
After you put so much time and effort into every job application, it can be frustrating when recruiters fail to get back to you. Remember that they are swamped with applications, with barely enough time to consider each applicant for the role. Accept that you probably aren't going to hear back from every company, and try not to let it irritate you.
Even when you finally manage to get a job, the reality of the modern job market means that it is unlikely to be a job for life. The number of positions that the average person holds in a lifetime is constantly increasing. Therefore, even when you are in a job, you need to keep updating your skills in order to remain relevant in the job market.
The job market is not always a friendly place, but job seekers who are prepared can successfully navigate it to find the jobs they want. If you are frustrated about the state of the job market, remember that you can help yourself by writing a good resume that showcases your skills and applying for suitable jobs.
Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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