Getting Hired In a Competative Market

GETTING HIRED IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET: TIPS FROM MICA AND OUR CLIENTS by?Susan Bash?with contributions from?Matt Gill?and Crystina Brooks

As the summer draws to a close, we are receiving a number of inquiries from individuals who are preparing to kick off a?September job search.??We decided to take this as an opportunity to share some of the key things our clients look for when hiring professionals.??Some of these thoughts may seem obvious, but?taking the steps to get it right?can improve your effectiveness tremendously in a competitive and sometimes daunting job market.

First?read the job description?thoroughly.??We work with our clients to prepare strong job descriptions??These typically provide detailed bullets of the key skills they require and prioritize attributes that will most likely lead to success.??Strong JDs also include discussion around the culture, goals, and expectations for the organization and where it is going.

Next make sure your?resume responds effectively to the job description.??We like to say to our marketing audience that?JDs are a lot like creative briefs.??They scope exactly what is expected in the designated role.??Your resume should respond to these “briefs” so that company executives recognize?what they are looking for in your application.??It is fine to keep a standard resume on file, but your success in applying increases exponentially when you?align your skills to the requirements, pick up on key words and cues?from the JD that allow you to?tell your story effectively. Also,?Stick to the part of your story that matters.??Your full professional “biography” can be distracting, if it contains too many diversions or experiences that aren’t particularly germane to the role at hand.

Research the role?and the organization?by exploring the backgrounds of the leadership, the hiring team; reading press releases or news stories; identifying events the company has led or attended.??Be prepared to?talk about yourself in a way that is relevant to the hiring manager --?zeroing on those skills and attributes that will support their goals and objectives.

Know why?you are applying for the position.??So many applicants focus exclusively on selling themselves on a particular job.??Executive leaders like to know that you?have skin in the game?and that you care about possibilities for growth, are curious and ask questions both about how you will support the organization for success, as well as find a value proposition for yourself.

Get personal and illuminate who you are?not just what you can do.??This element is so critical to demonstrating what matters to you and?how you will support a strong culture.??MICA spends an equal amount of time screening and interviewing people for companies to ensure that they will fit seamlessly and comfortably into an organization.

Finally,?quality not quantity matters. Use technology to do research, network, and find opportunities.??Engage with people in your circles to educate yourself and connect with others. Pushing hundreds of standard resumes into the cloud leads to frustration. Companies do not want to hire just a piece of paper….being human still matters! ?

Doing your homework and tailoring your application sets you apart in a very competitive market.??It spotlights your authenticity and allows you to approach the process more confidently! ?