With the recent onset of the so called recession in North America many job seekers are left with the dismal feeling of a futile job search. Some may believe there are no jobs out there but in reality there are jobs, if you are in fact employable. Here's an inside look at what job agencies and most HR managers consider when evaluating candidate fit and employability.
1. Are you available?
We mentioned this in our previous post : 10 tips for Job Seekers, but availability is a key factor in being employable. HR firms and hiring managers prefer a candidate who is available immediately or unemployed as opposed to someone looking to make a career move or lateral transition. This is due to the notice period, often 2 weeks that must be provided to their current employer. Like most people hiring managers are often impatient and want a candidate to start immediately, or on their terms.They will very seldom hold a position for a desired candidate the market is just too huge.
We mentioned this in our previous post : 10 tips for Job Seekers, but availability is a key factor in being employable. HR firms and hiring managers prefer a candidate who is available immediately or unemployed as opposed to someone looking to make a career move or lateral transition. This is due to the notice period, often 2 weeks that must be provided to their current employer. Like most people hiring managers are often impatient and want a candidate to start immediately, or on their terms.They will very seldom hold a position for a desired candidate the market is just too huge.
2. Experience in a related field
Avoid applying for jobs in which you have no relevant experience. Lack of relevant or job specific experience is an immediate red flag for hiring managers. Don't just apply to any and every job. Read the job description carefully and gauge your level of experience within the given field, if you have the experience then apply. If not, move on to something else. This will save you time and trouble. For example if your field is Communications and there's a vacancy for a accounting clerk, shy away even if you may have taken some accounting courses in university or college. Hiring manages are usually looking for directly rateable experience.
Avoid applying for jobs in which you have no relevant experience. Lack of relevant or job specific experience is an immediate red flag for hiring managers. Don't just apply to any and every job. Read the job description carefully and gauge your level of experience within the given field, if you have the experience then apply. If not, move on to something else. This will save you time and trouble. For example if your field is Communications and there's a vacancy for a accounting clerk, shy away even if you may have taken some accounting courses in university or college. Hiring manages are usually looking for directly rateable experience.
3. Software knowledge
In today's technology driven world knowledge of workplace software in addition to Office, Excel, Outlook is a hot commodity. Hiring managers and HR firms look for candidates with knowledge in specialized software such as SAP, Quickbooks, Simply Accounting, ACPAC, Teraview, Peoplesoft and HRIS to name a few. It's always a good idea to invest in upgrading your knowledge and even consider taking a course in a software programs that may be of interest or relevance to your career aspirations.
In today's technology driven world knowledge of workplace software in addition to Office, Excel, Outlook is a hot commodity. Hiring managers and HR firms look for candidates with knowledge in specialized software such as SAP, Quickbooks, Simply Accounting, ACPAC, Teraview, Peoplesoft and HRIS to name a few. It's always a good idea to invest in upgrading your knowledge and even consider taking a course in a software programs that may be of interest or relevance to your career aspirations.
4. Education/Certification
Some positions may ask for specific education or certification that is essential to scoring an interview. For example a position for a Counselor may ask for a Degree in Social Work or Counseling Certification. In this case years working as a free-lance counselor sans a qualification would not garner an interview. Firms that list educational requirements such as degrees or diplomas value such requirements and will most likely eliminate candidates who do not have them. Although experience is valuable sometimes education and certifications are essential in proving you are able to perform a specific task.
5. Salary expectations
Placement agencies often ask candidates about their salary expectations and the biggest mistake candidates make is setting their expectations too high or too low. Expecting a six figure salary with minimal experience but years of education for example is just one scenario in which agencies and hiring managers would be turned-off. It's important to know your worth and not to over or under value yourself. Conduct some market research on the kind of salaries jobs you're interest in would provide and what type salary increases your experience would warrant. Flexibility is another key factor in being employable; what's your salary range and how flexible are you within that range? Are you willing to take a pay cut to get your foot into a firm you've always wanted to work for? Or are you dead set on a figure and not willing to budge? These are all facts agencies take in to consideration when they decide to represent you. In fact flexibility in terms of salary may be the deciding factor between them presenting you or another equally qualified candidate to a potential employer.
Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting
Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting
