Tip: Making yourself marketable means marketing yourself in a professional way on social media sites as well. Double-check what potential employers can view on your Twitter and Facebook accounts.
A new year means a new job for some of us. Whether you’re seeking a promotion, a raise or another gig altogether, there are some skill sets that could set you apart from the rest of the field.
Want your job application to stand out from the pile of resumes on every HR manager’s desk? Brush up on these basic skills.
1. Effective communication
While clear communication may sound like a particularly basic skill, not many people have mastered it. It’s important, especially for job applicants, to be able to clearly and concisely communicate not only their point of view, but also what’s important to them.
After having a brief conversation, an interviewer should be able to walk away knowing what you bring to the table, and what you’re looking for in a position and/or company.
Because communicating effectively is so integral to a work environment, brush-up on your elevator pitch for yourself. Make a list of your skills and aptitudes, and boil it down to a five-minute-or-less pitch.
2. Market yourself
In these lean economic times, the ability to market yourself is crucial to landing that new gig. It’s not enough to simply send your resume to dozens of in-boxes and hope for the best. You have to build your own brand, which means smartly representing yourself across all mediums.
Along with your polished resume and cover letter, review your social media accounts and blogs. Consider what your Twitter posts and LinkedIn profile may look like to an employer. Is your latest Facebook status update workplace-appropriate? Remember, everything you send out into cyberspace is there forever and can potentially be found by a prospective employer.
3. Be agile
Flexibility and agility are skills that many employers crave in their workers. Highlighting your ability to quickly adapt to the changing needs of your employer or industry may grab your hiring manager’s attention.
Being flexible also means you are eager to learn new skills. There’s always a new tool or software rolling out, so convey that you’re familiar with trends in your industry.
4. Hone multiple skill sets
During better financial times, many employers would hire workers based on a single, highly-specialized skill. However, employees can no longer be one-trick ponies. To land that job, demonstrate that you have more than one set of skills. Multiple areas of expertise will increase your candidate profile. So maybe it’s finally time to take that computer class you’ve been considering?
5. Taking one for the team
While this may sound like a no-brainer, it’s necessary to show you work well in team environments. Did you lead a team project at a past job? If so, let the prospective employer know not only what you did, but your successes in the role.