“I heard the news today, oh, boy,” a Beatles refrain that plays in my head when I hear the latest unemployment figures. Today’s job market has some challenges, but we need to stay optimistic. Yes, there are a lot of us in the job market in this year. Staying optimistic and having faith that the next job is around the corner is the key component that I found to positive attitude when looking for a position.

Perseverance is the key ingredient to getting hired. As a former business owner who entered the job market 5 years ago, I've experienced the job search from several angles. I had a long-term contract working for a search firm and a few long-term consulting contracts for CPG companies. The job market of today is different from the market of the past; it used to be you saw an ad or you had a friend or a relative that made a call and then you had an interview.  Today, it’s all about networking and the job boards.

There is a positive side in this economic jungle. The self-absorption of the 90’s has been replaced by support and cooperation -- people helping each other, whether through networking groups or social networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. After all, even those who are now employed realize that they too could find themselves suddenly in the job market. Joining social networking sites and being vulnerable in cyber space about your job search is in fact part of the “new world.”

Jobs do exist and companies are hiring, but the process is taking longer because companies want to make sure they have the right fit when hiring an employee. It’s not uncommon for a candidate to go through multiple interviews with three to six staff present; nor is it uncommon to find out after going through such an in-depth interview process that you aren’t the candidate for the position. As a former business owner, while I understand the importance of finding the right fit and the necessity of looking at a candidate’s past experience; it is equally important to look at what a candidate can do with their skills to help the company grow.  In order to grow a brand in today’s world, companies should hire employees who have a passion for what they are doing. In a corporate environment driven by shareholder accountability, risk is something most managers don’t feel they can take when making a hiring decision; but they should look beyond a candidate’s resume and cover letter and read between the lines to see the added value that a candidate brings to a role.

Looking forward to the remainder of this year and beyond, it is increasingly important for job seekers to demonstrate to potential employers the added benefit that their experience and passion can bring to the organization. This new approach can assist job seekers in parlaying themselves into a different position or a new industry.  Now the Beatles’ “I get by with a little help from my friends” plays when I think of today’s job market.

Lauren Brill is a Marketing Professional and has a background in Client Services and Marketing Project Management; her focus is on the customer experience, and she is currently in a career transition. laurenbrill@sbcglobal.net
http://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenbrill