The need for people to fill in $100,000 plus job market is rising. The demand for specialized skills and expert knowledge is therefore on the rise. Recruiters are looking for people who are on the top of their game. Job seekers who want to penetrate this market must incorporate some strategies in order to get noticed by recruiters.
- Know what you want. Recruiters can tell if the person is determined and focused. To appear wishy-washy and vacillating is not a good sign at all. You must be firm, in control and know exactly where you want to go. This would give recruiters a fair idea of how you will be as a manager. Act it out while being interviewed. Get noticed by having a purposeful stride, maintaining eye contact, firm handshake; be definite in your goals and realistic in your expectations. There is nothing more annoying than to talk to someone who has no end in sight, who only tries "to wing it out" instead of influence things.
- Get the word out about yourself. Make sure that you are seen in important social events. You can be the industry speaker or the recognized industry expert. Let people know what you can do and what you know. The word of mouth will spread it. Before long, you will notice people asking you for some expert advice. Be helpful but not too helpful. Keep some insider's information to yourself. Don't divulge trade secrets. After all, you've earned the right to this expert knowledge. Once the word is out there that you are the kind of person this industry seeks, your efforts will be duly acknowledged. The important thing is to show what you can do before the company needs you. Networking and giving back are important ways to promote yourself not just to do your job.
- Polish your resume. Companies focus on three important things: make money, save money and solve problems. Your resume should show how you can attain these things. Use good headlines and bulleted descriptions of your skills. Start with an important achievement in your field. Tell them how you have achieved it. For instance, increase sales to 100% by creating an online presence and allowing customers to buy online thus giving them convenience and easy access.” If you don't give a concrete example of how you achieve such huge accomplishment, it will be hard to believe what you wrote in your resume. Every claim should be backed up by valid and verifiable explanation.
- Call recruiters. To contact recruiters, calling by telephone is the most useful tool. Email only gets around 20% response. The phone will allow you to talk to recruiters and state your case. You will have better results calling than writing. To catch the recruiters' attention, use the internet, apply to company websites, search job boards online, join job fairs, active participate in trade associations because they often have contacts with recruiters in their industries.
The most important thing is to ask yourself where you want to be five years or ten years from now. Don't rely on the company to accomplish that vision to you. You have to do your share to get to the top.
