What does the bad Job Market mean for you as a job seeker?

So what does the bad Job Market mean for you as a job seeker? Tempting as it is to just hide in Mom’s basement, instead use what you know about the numbers to impact how you look for jobs. Lots of jobs that you might find on national job boards are going to attract a ton of applicants. You know they’re out there, because 8.2 percent of the population is actively looking for work. I found a job on LinkedIn a few weeks ago that had already received 200 applicants. Yikes!

Avoid these types of situations. Applicant #151 for that job online was doing a disservice both to themselves and the poor hiring managers. Don’t waste your time applying for jobs that are very likely to have an unreasonable number of applicants. Instead, focus on networking to get the inside scoop on jobs before they open to the public. Check out this article on why you should never make a cold call again. Since you know there are a lot of applicants out there, do your best to not be one of the nameless masses: send employers a profile video along with your cover letter and resume. It’s a great way to show them your passion and your communication skills while also making you stand out from the pack. Spark Hire is a great platform to record a profile video. Don’t forget to rock your personal brand. Call in that favor. Let knowing the actual job climate empower you, not discourage you…

via How Bad is the Job Market, Really? – Spark Hire.