The bad news? The economy is
recovering more slowly than expected. The good news? It is recovering. It may not seem like it, but the statistics show the even
though employers remain cautious, they are hiring.
Still,
competition is stiff. For every job that’s open, there are hundreds of
candidates who submit resumes, so having a
strategy can give you an edge over other job-seekers. Here are some tips
to help you stand apart from the crowd.
Know who’s hiring
The first step to landing a dream
job is knowing who’s hiring. Even in tough time like these, certain industries
and professions are thriving. While unemployment
remains high, there has been an upward trend in job listings for key industries
like information technology, defense, retail, financial services, health care
and energy.
Tap into your network
The saying, “It’s not what you
know, but who you know,” has never been more true. It’s smart to try to get an
inside track on jobs by networking. Call and email friends and former
co-workers regularly so you’ll be the first to know about new openings, and don’t
be afraid to ask for their help in landing interviews.
Attend industry events
Many industries have trade
associations that hold regular meetings and networking events. The U.S.
government provides a comprehensive list of trade associations here: http://www.usa.gov/directory/tradeassc/index.shtml.
