![\"job](\"https:\/\/www.sogolytics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/GettyImages-1266813342-1024x683.jpg\")
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What makes these such \u201cextraordinary times\u201d<\/a> for the U.S. labor market? We\u2019re seeing:<\/p>\n Many of these 2021 labor market trends are good news for job seekers. After all, the job market has flipped to see employers competing more for workers<\/a>. Plus, they are looking to create more positive work environments to reduce turnover and retain the people they do have and hire.<\/p>\n So, what advice is out there to help job seekers in the post-pandemic economy? A lot, of course. But we\u2019ve pulled out the main themes to make it all easier to digest.<\/p>\n Job opportunities abound right now. So, it\u2019s important for those seeking work to have a clear idea of what they want. This can be more challenging for those who are just starting out. However, Chelle Johnson of Best You Advantage<\/a> says, \u201cIt’s all about vision, visibility, and voice.\u202fKnow what you want and have a vision and purpose that you can confidently communicate.\u201d<\/p>\n Yes, you should know what you want. But that doesn\u2019t mean you should expect to get there right out of the gate. \u201cIt\u2019s important for people not to think about their first job out of college as their career,\u201d says Denise Mooney of Boston University\u2019s Center for Career Development<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s not. It\u2019s their first job out of college, and a step along their path.\u201d<\/p>\n Flexibility is key. Especially right now. \u201cA lot of young people have experienced a lot of disruption of their plans,\u201d says Diane Kern, author of the forthcoming book Go Forward to Work! How to Use Your S.P.I.E.S. to Get Your Right Fit Job During a Pandemic<\/em><\/a>. \u201cBeing able to change gears is important. [Don\u2019t] let your disappointment turn into discouragement. It is going to be important that you stay focused, that you find the energy and the motivation and the drive to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n The current skills shortage<\/a>, and the fact that many people are choosing not to enter the work force right now, can help your search odds. But, if you want to advance in your new career, you want to continue to develop new skills.<\/p>\n The pandemic also accelerated the embrace of automation<\/a>. So, in the face of what is likely to be a long-term job shift<\/a>, you\u2019ll want to make sure you are one of the people who can thrive in a highly mobile workforce and that you\u2019re able to adapt to new positions.<\/p>\n \u201cThe changes underway in the workforce are going to be constant. That means you will need to keep learning to keep pace,\u201d LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslanksy<\/a> writes in a World Economic Forum blog. It doesn\u2019t have to be intimidating, though. \u201cLife-long learning can be as simple as listening to a podcast, reading an interesting article or book, keeping up with trends and thought leaders, or taking online courses.\u201d<\/p>\n With the growth of remote work<\/a> and hybrid roles, there are certain soft skills and talents you can hone to be more successful in a #WFH culture. These include<\/a>:<\/p>\n The new generation of prospective employees is renowned for its tech savvy \u2014 they are sometimes labeled as iGen\u2019ers. Make sure that you apply some of your digital native skills to keep your online presence polished and professional. Your LinkedIn profile and resume need to be concise and communicate all your accomplishments during college and internships.<\/p>\n Vet your social presence, too. \u201cNow more than ever, people rely on content from social media to give them information about a candidate. Take control of what information is available about you,\u201d says Blair Williams of Forbes\u2019 Young Entrepreneur Council<\/a>. \u201cJoin relevant communities, create a profile on networking websites, and be active online. Your online activity can make it easy for hiring personnel to know more about you and it could make them feel more comfortable hiring you.\u201d<\/p>\n The resume gets your foot in the door, but the interview is where you come to life. No one should be stumped when an interviewer says, “Tell me about yourself.” According to Dr. Alexis Carreiro (a pitch and public speaking coach<\/a>), \u201cTo impress the audience, practice your interview responses before the actual interview. Find common interview questions online and practice your answers out loud! It may feel awkward, but it will make you feel more confident during the interview itself. Confidence gives you an advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n If it\u2019s a virtual interview, remember to look into the video camera when you\u2019re answering the questions. It helps establish a deeper, more personal connection because it makes them feel like you\u2019re looking into their eyes.<\/p>\n You know you\u2019re going to be asked if you have any questions. Take this opportunity to really get to know the company culture<\/a>. With options available to you, you can seek out a position somewhere that is a good cultural fit.<\/p>\n Questions you might ask include:<\/p>\n Sure, the news is everywhere that job candidates have greater leverage in the current market. However, career coach Johnson cautions against being overly confident and asking for too much money.\u202f\u201cYou need to know what you are worth, but not expect the moon,\u201d she says, \u201cI have heard from a lot of recruiters that iGens think that they should be paid $100,000 out of school. That\u2019s more than many people with way more experience.\u201d<\/p>\n When you do find the role that you want to take, be humble and treat everyone with respect. At the same time, don\u2019t be afraid to utilize your co-workers. In a Muse article<\/a> summarizing LinkedIn community advice to new grads, Lauren L. recommends, \u201cDon\u2019t be intimidated by your colleagues and superiors! Remember that they were once in your shoes when they began their careers. Leverage their knowledge and experience and find ways to take what worked for them and adapt it to work for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Finding a mentor<\/a> can give you efficient access to guidance and encouraging feedback.\u202fPlus, it can help you to integrate into the organization\u2019s culture more quickly as you will have an available resource to ask about policies and procedures.<\/p>\n COVID-19 brought unparalleled anxiety<\/a> and worries globally. Searching for a job as the economy recovers isn\u2019t going to be easy. Still, there are advantages.<\/p>\n Sogolytics also offers resources<\/a> for those on the other side of the table trying to recruit and retain effective employees. Learn about our employee experience platform<\/a> today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When you hear that the job market is going through extraordinary times it can be cause for celebration or concern. Right now, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, it\u2019s really a little of both. This article shares insights on the current job market and tips for job seekers in the post-pandemic economy. What makes these such \u201cextraordinary times\u201d for the U.S. labor market? We\u2019re seeing: Historically fast job growth Severe labor shortages despite a still-high unemployment rate Epic shift to remote work Certain industries struggling to recover from the pandemic (e.g. nonresidential construction, parts of retail trade, business- and work-related transportation, commercial banking, business and facilities-support services, and nursing and residential care) Employers downgrading their requirements and offering more on-the-job training Many of these 2021 labor market trends are good news for job seekers. After all, the job market has flipped to see employers competing more for workers. Plus, they are looking to create more positive work environments to reduce turnover and retain the people they do have and hire. So, what advice is out there to help job seekers in the post-pandemic economy? A lot, of course. But we\u2019ve pulled out the main themes to make it all easier to digest. Know what you want Job opportunities abound right now. So, it\u2019s important for those seeking work to have a clear idea of what they want. This can be more challenging for those who are just starting out. However, Chelle Johnson of Best You Advantage says, \u201cIt’s all […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":49241,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[156],"tags":[239,241,712,385,366,375,416],"yoast_head":"\n\n
Know what you want<\/h2>\n
Don\u2019t fixate on a dream job<\/h2>\n
Keep learning<\/h2>\n
![\"job](\"https:\/\/www.sogolytics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/GettyImages-664647987-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHone remote work skills<\/h2>\n
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Refine your online presence<\/h2>\n
Prep for the interview<\/h2>\n
Ask questions<\/h2>\n
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Don\u2019t overestimate leverage<\/h2>\n
Make connections<\/h2>\n
![\"job](\"https:\/\/www.sogolytics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/GettyImages-1216308723-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe future is yours<\/h2>\n