Job hunting skills that will help secure you a job.

If you still hope to find a job, how can you stand out in a crowded market? Here are some best practices you can use in your job search experience.

Have a social media presence.

Regardless of your industry, you need to have a social media presence where you can showcase your skills. We live in a digital world and the economy has gone that way, so why not be found on the web?

Having a profile on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn makes it easier for people to focus on your interests, whether they are hiring or not.

Additionally, you can create a brand for your work and as you build your following, you get a chance to be recognized by others in the same industry.

Clean up your social media feed.

It used to be that you could get away with anything you did online, but these days employers care about your social media habits. Do you troll or make insensitive statements on social media?

These are things that can prevent you from getting a job because you know your prospective employer will check your accounts.

Make sure your social media profiles reflect who you are, both personally and professionally. You will not get away with the argument that you are different from what you present on your feed.

Be careful in your programs.

It’s tempting to submit an application to almost every job posting you come across, because the more you submit, the better your chances of getting the job, right?

Please stop! It’s not about the number of resumes you send. This is whether you are suitable for the position, the skills you have and whether you want to work for this company, among others.

Instead, think about what you want to do and what companies can offer you something similar, and find ways to get into it. Being selective clarifies your decision and helps you focus on what you really want.

Work on your skills.

When you’re sending resumes and searching for jobs, you need to develop your skills. Find a way to learn more and build to stay relevant to the industry.

Also, you can learn new skills that will help you excel in related fields. Remember that experience is one of the things employers care about. With so much information available today, you can get this even without being employed.

Reach out to businesses and people.

One of the things I’ve been doing is sending cold emails. By now you probably know that work doesn’t come to you, you have to go. Find people in your niche who can help you and reach out to them.

Social media has made this easy. Try to do this via email as much as possible, although you can start a conversation via direct message. Some will return and some will not. If this happens, don’t give up. Continue.

Have a profile.

Learn how to create an effective CV that showcases your skills and the results of your work. Gone are the days of just saying “hard working and eager to learn”. While those skills are great, they aren’t the things that show your employer what you can do. They have to give you a job first so you can test them yourself.

When you write your resume, make sure to highlight your latest qualifications and accomplishments. Also change it according to the specific job you are applying for. Never use the same CV twice.