LinkedIn’s latest Workforce Confidence survey shows more than half of U.S. job seekers have been on the hunt for six months or longer, but workers in certain roles have been searching for just half that time. Sales professionals looking for a job are most likely to say they have been searching for three months or less, followed by program and project managers and researchers. Meanwhile, two-thirds of active job searchers employed in marketing said they've been searching for over six months already.
Which professions can hope for shorter job searches right now?
LinkedIn's latest Workforce Confidence survey shows more than half of U.S. job seekers have been on the hunt for six months or longer, but workers in certain roles say they've been searching for just half that time. Sales professionals looking for a new job are most likely to say they have been searching for three months or less, followed by program and project managers and researchers. Healthcare services and human resources professionals were also more likely than average to say they haven't been on the hunt for long.
Meanwhile, some professions seem to be facing much longer job hunts. Two-thirds of active job searchers employed in marketing said they've been searching for over six months now, compared to the U.S. average of 54%. Administrative services professionals, consultants, lawyers, educators, and media and communications workers were also more likely than average to say their search had taken over half a year.
So what is a job seeker, especially those who are under the financial gun, supposed to do?
1) Don’t just apply to posted jobs- focus on networking. Few people like it, but networking has a better ROI.
2) Prepare as much as possible: resume, LinkedIn profile, contacts, all up to date and ready
3) Make a plan. Job searching is a full-time project that needs a game plan AND a strategic plan
4-5-6) These are critical!
+ Don’t give up hope
+ Don’t get down on yourself
+ Always focus on what you have to offer that makes you a great candidate.
Job hunting sucks!
Keeping your wits in the process helps it suck less.
"More than half of U.S job seekers have been on the hunt for six months or longer"
If you are undertaking a jobsearch right now, then this sentence from LinkedIn News's article below probably sends shivers down your spine. The reality is that the hiring process has changed, yet we all still tend to revert to old habits when we apply. It's not all doom and gloom; some roles are being sourced much quicker, and I have had positions filled within 2 weeks on average over the past 3 months.
Personal brand, how you present on your resume and LinkedIn, and relevance are (in my opinion) the keys to success.
Some simple tips:
➡️ Make sure you complete the 'skills' section on your profile to reflect your true skillset. Include systems, industries, daily and monthly tasks, and also go into detail, for example, instead of 'Excel', list Vlookup and Pivot. This then increases your 'match' to the vacancy, meaning you will sit higher in the application list.
➡️ Resume needs to be tweaked to EVERY application. Take a look at the advert before applying (which I am not sure everyone does) and be sure that your resume matches the top 3 bullets for the job duties and requirements. A great place to put this is in your personal statement section, for example:
'I am an experienced Controller with 10 years of experience within the manufacturing sector. I have worked within privately owned and PE-backed organizations, taking a lead on financial operations, cost accounting, and implementation of multiple ERP systems. These two sentences immediately highlight the MATCH of your profile to the requirement.
➡️ Relevance: If you do not match at least 60% of the position, do not apply. I know that's hard when you have been out of work for a while, and the anxiety kicks in. However, if you focus your applications on positions that you are suited to and tailor your resume and application, I promise you will have more success. Less is sometimes more when it comes to a job search.
Standing out in this market is not difficult, but it does require time and effort.
Building a personal brand is becoming key to landing your next gig. We are entering an era where “fit” is overtaking “qualifications,” particularly those that are simply a degree or cert. In a specialized area. Employers are realizing that company culture is far more important than someone claiming expertise in a CV. A personal brand allows employers to see you in your authentic self and assess your fit for their team and culture. On that note, video and the ability to produce literate, readable, and applicable content are key. I suggest everyone read Chapter 5 of the book “Learn How to Build a Brand for Smart People in Under 2 Hours.” It explains how to become a PPI-Prominent Person of Impact. It is the new role for marketing and sales that is transforming business and careers. Build your personal brand and land the gig you want!