By Roger Lear
Orlando has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the county. However, when the job market slows down, many job seekers feel stuck, sending out dozens of applications to employers with little response. In a “soft market”, when employers have the upper hand and competition for good jobs is super competitive, changing the way you look for a great job (not just any job), your strategy has to change. I’ve been coaching job seekers for over twenty years, and here are five tactics that can give you a real edge.
1. Target Employers, Not Just Open Jobs
Job boards are a great starting point, but in a soft job market, you have to do more. You have to look for hidden opportunities. Only 40% of open jobs are ever listed on a reputable job board. Identify 25–30 target companies where you’d love to work and go directly to their career sites. It will be the first time you will see many of those opportunities! Apply directly to those jobs. Reach out to potential managers on LinkedIn with a thoughtful note letting them know you are very interested in working with them.
2. Show Employers You Solve Revenue or Cost Problems
In a soft job market, employers are looking for people who can “increase revenue”. These are just not sales positions. Regardless of your role, your resume and interview must clearly demonstrate how you will contribute to the company’s growth. For example, if you do customer service, make sure you cite on your resume any awards or “saved” accounts you had for your previous employer. Make yourself stand out in whatever job you apply to!
3. Use AI Tools to Outwork the Competition
It is acceptable to utilize AI tools to quickly analyze job descriptions, identify key skills, and then tailor your resume accordingly. Today, only about 35% of job seekers are using AI to do this. The key is to once your new resume is completed, read through it and ensure it accurately reflects your skill set. Use AI to identify companies that you never even knew existed and use these powerful leads to find the best job ever!
4. Master the “One-Page Value Brief”
Attach a value brief to your resume. This concise document highlights three business problems you’ve solved, the methods you employed to solve them, and the measurable results achieved. This is extremely powerful as long as it can solve some of the same problems that the company you want to work for faces. Share it during interviews and attach it to follow-up emails. Very few job seekers utilize this tool, but it can immediately set you apart from the competition.
5. Become a Content Contributor in Your Field
Instead of waiting for employers to discover you, put yourself out there. Write short LinkedIn posts, share insights from industry news, or comment on thought leaders’ articles in your skill set. Over time, you’ll position yourself as someone completely plugged into your industry. When you include the link to your LinkedIn profile on your resume, they will see a real, compelling person.
A soft job market is an excellent opportunity to outthink and outwork the competition. Remember this…companies hire people, not resumes. Make it easy for them to see your value, and you’ll land faster than you think.