The winter holidays are over, yearly fiscal budgets have refreshed, and companies have shifted their focus to hiring. The beginning of the year is an excellent time to take stock of what you’ve learned and the skills that you’ve acquired so that you can propel your career forward. Utilize these tips and learn how to get hired in January!
January Hiring Spikes
While there are often hiring spikes in January after a lull in December, there is often more competition during this month. A slow hiring month in December also means that more people are looking for jobs. Therefore, competition in January is higher for each job.
To get hired in January, you need to make your application stand out from the rest. Take the time to really polish your resume and make sure it is up-to-date and includes all of the skills you’ve learned recently and any certifications and awards you’ve earned. Highlight the intangible skills that most people don’t include on their resumes – such as their leadership qualities, communication skills, and drive.
Make Yourself Stand Out
Make your application stand apart from the rest. Pay attention to detail when applying and follow everything specified in the advertisement. If the employer has requested a cover letter, be sure to include one. Proofread everything that you include when you apply for the position.
If you have an opportunity to apply directly on the employer’s site instead of on a job board, apply directly on the employer’s website. Include any keywords listed on the job ad in your resume in case the employer is using an ATS. Brush up on your interview skills and read up on the latest news in your industry. These techniques not only enhance your application and interview, but they also help to future-proof your career moving forward.
Check Your Social Media
Keep your LinkedIn profile updated and current, and link it in your resume and application. While you’re there, check that your profile photo is professional, clear, and updated – if it’s feeling a little old or outdated, take a new one ASAP. Double-check your experience on your profile against your resume. An employer looking at your LinkedIn profile will be checking your resume against this information, and you want it to be consistent.
Check your other social media profiles as well. If they’re professional, you can link them to your resume or LinkedIn. If you use them for personal use, be sure that they’re private and unaffiliated with your professional life.
Supplement Your Resume
To really showcase your skills, supplement your resume. Link your website or portfolio and show off your work. Be sure to complete any assessments or tasks that are specified within the job application.
The best way to set yourself apart is to go beyond your resume and include a PIC Report with your application. Our PIC Report highlights your performance and interpersonal style at work and includes a section on role compatibility. You’re showing a potential employer that there’s more to you than just your previous jobs and accomplishments listed on your resume and application. The PIC shows off your soft skills and potential and provides information that an employer can’t access in any other way.
Be Quick
Most candidates apply for a position within the first week of posting – so it’s important to be quick when you’re on the job hunt. Set up alerts for sites like Indeed and Monster so that positions matching the parameters that you’ve set will be delivered right into your inbox.
Be prepared with your resume and a templated cover letter that you can change to fit your needs for the specific application. A survey from SmartRecruiters found that the most common time for employers to post a job opening was on Tuesday at 11 am – so beat the crowd and get that application in early. Workopolis suggests that if you do get to the interview stage, try to interview earlier in the day to make the best impression with the recruiter or hiring manager. In the recruiting process, the early bird really does get the worm.
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