How to Effectively Market Yourself in an Employer's Market

Currently, we are in an employer's market. In an employer's market you will need to market yourself effectively if you want to get noticed by potential employers. Some years back, job seekers could demand more from employers and get satisfying results, because unemployment was low and jobs were plentiful. Because jobs are in short supply, employers are in a position to demand more from job seekers.

If you’ve taken notice lately, you should know by now that there is fierce competition in the job market today.  The market is saturated with college graduates, season professionals, those returning to the job market, those entering the job market, and those in career transition; all are looking for suitable employment. This means that employers get an over abundance of responses from job candidates who apply for job vacancies posted by company recruiters seeking to fill such. The problem is, there are more job  seekers looking for work, than there are jobs available. In short, there are lots of job seekers but few jobs. That makes it an employer’s market because they have the upper hand right now. Yes, employers are at an advantage because they can make the call as to what job seekers need to do to get hired.

Bottom line, in an employer’s market you will need to market yourself effectively if you want to get noticed by potential employers. Some years back, job seekers could demand more from employers and get satisfying results, because unemployment was low and jobs were plentiful. Of course, when jobs are in short supply---employers tend to demand more from job applicants and employees as well. Basically, you will need to play by the employer’s rules when searching for work today. Here are some helpful tips for marketing yourself in an employer’s market.

Critique your resume and cover letter
First and foremost, you should examine your resume and cover letter to see if it mainly focuses on what you want and expect from the company, rather than focusing on the employer’s needs. If you find that’s the case, then you will need to do some critiquing to your resume, as well as your cover letter. In fact, your cover letter should more or less mirror the employer’s needs if you want the reader to take a look at your resume.  It’s fine to mention your wants and needs to an extent. You should even highlight your core skills and achievements. However, employers want to know how you can help the organization achieve its goals and objectives.  Your primary aim should be to consider the employer’s needs and clarify such in your documents. What can you offer the employer? How do you plan to help the employer succeed? This will make you stand out from other candidates who fail to address the employer’s needs.


Maintain a professional online presence
Since we are living in a high tech computer age, it’s best to keep an online presence with prospective employers. Keep in mind that employers post job ads on its website, along with various job boards and social networking sites. And…employers go online to find qualified job candidates for positions he/she is seeking to fill also. Remember, you will be competing with hundreds of interested applicants for job postings. You should set up a professional portfolio online so that recruiters will be able to find you when he/she is seeking to fill a job vacancy. Be sure that your information is current and appealing to employers.

Carefully scrutinize the job ad
When responding to a job ad, not only should you check out the job requirements and qualifications, you should review it closely to learn what the employer expects from the job applicants as well. Aforementioned, you should establish how you could help the company attain its goals and list theses solutions in your cover letter and resume as to impress the readers.  In addition, you should customize your documents to match the job you are applying for.  Main thing, you must persuade the reader that you are what the employer is looking for.


Ace Your interview
And finally, marketing yourself via cover letter and resume is the first step. You will need to effectively market yourself during your interview, also. Dress for success and be prepared to explain how you will help the company achieve its goals and why you believe you are the best candidate for the job.