The job market is tough. It always has been, but the demands of employers only seem to be increasing, and that means the competition is fiercer. A degree used to be a guarantee of the best job opportunities in any industry, but that isn’t the case anymore; job-seeking graduates are so common that you have to stand out from the crowd in other ways (whether you’ve recently graduated or you’re re-entering the job market because you want a career change).

You need to go the extra mile to catch the attention of potential employers. In this article, we’re going to talk through the basics of increasing your job prospects and making a good impression as a candidate.

Get some experience.

If you want to make a good impression on potential employers then you need to keep learning whilst job-hunting. The goal is to build up the most impressive resume out of all the candidates who apply for a particular role. That’s why you should seek out work experience opportunities that could provide you with knowledge and expertise to help you in future job roles.

That’s what employers want to see. Of course, some work experience opportunities can even lead directly to careers. You might want to look into Skillinvest on the job training for education and training services that could lead to apprenticeships or full-time job opportunities.

Whichever route you choose, getting some experience in your industry of interest will definitely make you more hireable when you apply for job roles. You need to have a fuller and more impressive resume than your peers to stand out.

Work on your interview skills.

Of course, a shiny resume is only one aspect of impressing a potential employer. If you make enough of an impact to get an interview then you’ll need to be just as charismatic in person as you are on paper.

That’s why you need to work on your interview skills. Make sure you come across as friendly. That’s the kind of person employers want on their team. Nerves are understandable, so don’t worry if you fumble over a few words here and there.

But coming across as cold or uninterested won’t do you any favors; businesses don’t want to hire people who will bring negativity or apathy into the workplace. Additionally, you need to make sure you dress professionally. If you put effort into the way you look then that tells an employer you’ll put effort into the way you work.

Network

Whether you already have a foot in the door or not, you should always be looking for ways to make an impact on people in your industry. Networking is crucial to climbing the rungs of the famous “career ladder”.

You need to make connections with the right people in the right places. Even an outsider can find a way in by using modern tools like LinkedIn. The more people you know, the more likely it is that a friend of a friend hears about you and gives you a chance. People trust recommendations from friends and close colleagues.

Don’t be a stranger to professionals in the industry. Make yourself known.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it may contain affiliate links.