Getting the edge on the current employment market

Getting the edge on the current employment market

Selling yourself to prospective employers is not quite as easy as you might think. If you are good at what you do, surely others will notice? Well, unfortunately that is not the case anymore!

Perhaps it was once easy to get recognition for your achievements, but times have changed. More people are out of work than ever before, and it is certainly not because they are not skilled. In fact, they are more educated than previous generations and yet, the number of graduates able to get a job is rapidly declining.

With more highly qualified people available for work, the job market has become incredibly competitive. And this unfortunately does not only apply to students. It also applies to the most seasoned of professionals. In this day and age, younger workers, may be the preferred option as they are cheaper, more willing to be molded and eager to learn. Regardless of this, it is plain to see why knowing how to sell yourself effectively is vital. It doesn’t matter whether you are aspiring to get your first job, hoping for a promotion or just thinking of a career move. Knowing how to market yourself properly is about survival as much as it is about progression. Just think about the amount of redundancies that have occurred since the beginning of the recession. If you were in the running to get the sack, would you be able to defend your worth?

The following tips should help you to stand out from the crowd, no matter what you are trying to achieve.

1. Be truthful, be yourself! - A vast majority of people lie on their CV. Recently, it emerged that The Chief Executive of Radioshack claimed to hold a degree in psychology, which wasn´t the case. Spare yourself the embarrassment of your prospective employer finding out you are a fraud when they do your background or employment check, be truthful from the start !

2. Know the market - Do your research! Put the time in so that you can have a two-way conversation with a potential employer, and if you are looking for a new job or for a promotion, be realistic about earnings based on the average wages in your area.

3. Don’t be too cocky. The key here is to have the goods to back your claims. No-one wants to work with a know-it-all. That said, sometimes ballsy personalities make for great sales persons and are able to push the boundaries of a team’s structure.

4. Learn another language – Although English has long been the language of business, globalization and Internet technology mean that this is changing. In today's interconnected business world, knowing a second language, particularly Spanish which is the second most spoken language in the world is becoming increasingly valuable. Not only does learning a second language help your employer; it also boosts your paycheck and expands your employment options.

5. Network online – Connecting in business is still a lot about who you know and not necessarily about what you know. A virtual connection could transform your career. Get onto LinkedIn. Start a blog. Try tweeting other professionals. Connecting through the internet means you can access those you normally don´t have access to in person.

6. What gives you the edge? The hard truth is that there are plenty of other people who could do your job just as well, if not better than you and maybe for less money. It’s hard to accept, but once you do, you will be more focused on selling your strong points, and admitting your shortfalls. Many interviewers will ask what your weakness is. If you claim that you have none, you look pompous and unprepared. The simple fact that you are trying to better yourself will speak volumes and will significantly increase your confidence as well as your prospects.