By Kelly Gage

Finding an ideal job in a tight – market is certainly easier said than done. As a staffing professional working part-time for Gage Personnel in West Reading, and full-time as a recruitment consultant for Comcast Business Services in Philadelphia, I see first-hand the number of applicants versus the number of open positions, and how the supply of candidates far outweighs the demand, or  job opportunities. Yes, businesses are still hiring – but the competition is tough. What can you do to increase your chances of landing your next job?

1) Take time to work on your resume. There are free templates available via Microsoft Word. You can access these by clicking “New,” then “Installed Templates.” There are also free templates available on Google. For example, if you are in sales, Google the words “sample sales resume” for formatting and wording suggestions.
Be sure to display your work history in chronological order, with your most recent experience appearing first. Use industry buzzwords and explain not only what you did, but also how you did it. If you have an e-mail address that could be considered unprofessional,  create a new one specifically for your job search to include on your resume. Employers do notice this type of thing; remember that your resume is usually your first impression!

2) Research your local market for job openings. Check your local newspaper, Internet sites such as Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, Indeed.com, LinkedIn.com, Craigslist.org, and reach out to local staffing firms. These staffing firms, such as Gage Personnel, are free for the applicant and act to supplement your job search, working to pair your skill set with client needs.
More and more companies are choosing to go the temp-to-hire route; don’t rule it out because it is something you have never done before. Often times this is a great way to get a foot in the door with a company that may not have been able to consider you otherwise! Going the temp-to-hire route is less risky for employers, so they are more open to doing so.  Typically after about 12 weeks on the job, a client will then convert the temp to full time status. These 12 weeks act as a probationary period for the employee and give both parties a chance to try out one another to see if they fit into their environment. Gage Personnel does offer health insurance benefits to our temporary employees, whether on a part time or full time basis.

3) Network. Think about all of the people you know and who could potentially know someone in your industry. Make a list of 30 contacts and call them! Tell them you are looking around; ask if they would feel comfortable forwarding your resume along to anyone who may be looking for someone with your skills. Go to local Chamber of Commerce and community events. For young professionals, the Greater Reading Young Professionals network is a great way to meet people and build contacts! You need to be the change agent. Put yourself out there and you’ll be amazed at what doors may open for you!

4) Be prepared to sell yourself. You may only have a short amount of time to do this – whether during a phone interview or in person. Know your strengths and be prepared to articulate them. Work on a 30-second elevator speech and practice it with your friends or family. Even outside of actual interviews, you never know when you may run into someone who could be hiring!

5) Interview tips. When you hear from a company that they are interested in an interview, be prepared. Research the company you are interviewing with. Be on time and be sure you are professionally dressed. Make sure you can discuss with confidence what you have presented in your resume. Never say negative things about a former employer or colleague.
Once the interview is complete, make sure you have prepared a list of questions for the interviewer. For additional and more thorough interview advice, I suggest Googling the words “Interview Tips,” or asking a staffing representative from Gage Personnel. Once you are registered with Gage, we are more than happy to provide resume writing as well as interview advice. Also remember to always follow up with a thank you note for the interviewer’s time. A simple e-mail will do, and this goes a long way!

There is no denying that it is a tough market, but there are things you can do to get ahead of the curve and increase your chances at landing your next job. Best of luck in your job search! And remember: “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” –  Anonymous

Gage Personnel
101 N. 7th Ave., West Reading
610.376.1771
www.gagepersonnel.com