Tips for Managing Your Career in Fierce/Tight Job Market

Here are ten tips from CareerBuilder.com editor Kate Lorenz. [Full article at AOL.com – Jobs (2008_0415 Article)]   My "Success Language" program and tools address the skills you need to be successful at tips number 1, 3, 4, 6, and 8 directly. Embracing success language actually enables you to be successful at all of these in terms of presenting yourself positively, adopting the "right" attitude, expressing yourself well, and being your own "leader of one" (a term I use in my programs).

• 1. Be the best you can be within your profession. Since the competition for jobs is so fierce, candidates need to demonstrate how they can add value to an organization. What are your key selling points that distinguish you from the competition? This is important not only for those looking for a job, but also for those who wish to keep their current jobs.
• 2. Brand yourself. What do you stand for? How are you marketing yourself? This is the time to be public in your search. Are you creating demand for your services and expertise?
• 3. Network constantly and consistently. Try joining a business networking site like LinkedIn. You can never have enough friends or colleagues who will go to bat for you.
• 4. Develop an ongoing relationship with a qualified recruiter with whom you feel comfortable. Being included in a database isn't enough. Your goal is to become the candidate of choice for that hidden job opening.
• 5. Consider freelancing. As such, candidates need to be more entrepreneurial, whether they are self-employed or work for an agency or corporation. Sologig.com is a site that hosts jobs just for freelancers and contractors.
• 6. If you are out of work, form a "consortium" with other professionals where you can complement each other's skills and offer services to clients.
• 7. Embrace change. You don't want to be left behind. Keep your skills up to date. Consider creating a personal Web site or taking a class.
• 8. Prepare for an evolving job market. Look for trends in the areas of increased hiring. Growth industries and areas include health care, education and green living.
• 9. Ensure your resume is a powerful personal advertisement. Make sure it highlights your accomplishments with quantifiable results, not merely details your job description.
• 10. Be congruent. Candidates whose backgrounds don't match client credentials or job requirements won't get much attention. Pay attention to the employer's specs or job posting and respond accordingly.