In a 2017 report by the International Labor Organization, it was estimated that the global jobs gap would increase to about 75 million. Fast forward to three years later, and the gap continues to be a worsening concern for employees, employers, and job seekers. Therefore, in a torrid job market like the current one, what does it take to beat the intense competition and differentiate yourself? Some of these strategies are discussed here below.
Be open to new career opportunities
If you work in print media, technological advancement may have stalled your activities over the years. This trend is expected and accepted as over 60% of the world’s population has access to smartphones and can access news on countless portable mobile devices. Therefore, the culture of reading physical newspapers is not as strong as it was a few decades ago. Nearly every industry has seen the great impact that technology continues to have and many are responding accordingly.
Fortunately, this trend opens up new career opportunities for savvy career-focused individuals. As expected, an online newspaper requires a web designer, an app designer, and other technical persons to put it all together. Additionally, that opens up room for online marketers, among others. In effect, being open to new career opportunities means an affinity for flexibility. As systems and strategies change, job opportunities are lost and created, and without a malleable personality, it is almost impossible to differentiate yourself in the job market.
Invest in earning competitive and relevant certifications
Day in day out, the job market requires new skills and qualifications. Aside from the academic certifications that may get you through the door, others will enhance your value. Furthermore, these other certifications can change your employer’s perspective to view you as a valuable employee. Currently, project management certification courses are hot programs in the job market. It opens up a world of opportunities for those looking at upgrading their qualifications.
Furthermore, other in-demand professional qualifications you may find worthwhile include:
Network certifications
Human Resource certifications (SHRM or SPHR)
Google Professional certifications.
Be proactive in professional networking
You don’t expect to sit in your little corner and hope that others will notice you. It takes a great deal of proactive effort to build a solid professional network. Remember that a reliable contact base can propel you to greater heights, especially where your career is concerned. Apart from building your professional network, you will do yourself a lot of good when you source opportunities made available within your network.
On the contrary, being reactive does nothing to your desire to be relevant in the job market. Moreover, all it does is set you up on a sluggish professional path that leads nowhere. Perhaps, being proactive goes against your normal nature, but for the sake of thriving in the job market, it is worth the effort and time committed to it.
In conclusion, it takes dedication, enthusiasm, and a focused personality to go the long haul that may be required to set yourself apart from others. Hopefully, these three points provided you with some relevant insight into what you should do.