Centred Content
Centred Content
Dear Joanna,
I’ve been applying to over 200 job postings online per month at least! I’ve not received one response and not one interview. It’s so competitive and cut throat out there in this job market. I am so frustrated. I don’t understand how employers are hiring these days. Please can you explain this.
Signed: Frustrated
Dear Frustrated,
We have been experiencing the same challenges to securing job interviews for our clients at Reena. Even when we customize the resume for online applications, and prepare our clients for the interview when they are invited, we have been facing a stone wall with today’s competitive labour market.
In my research, I have identified the following SEVEN best practices that have helped me with my job coaching work to understand our competitive and complex labour market. Consider these suggestions below. For more information, visit https://ceas.ca/understanding-how-the-labour-market-works/ :
1. Facing the facts. The definition of the labour market is information that concerns the conditions in, or the operation of, and the demand of the job market by location. It includes how employers fill vacancies, and what are the sources of the job leads. Employment conditions, salaries and benefits as well as education, training, and qualifications required for the job are other components. Levels of jobs, future trends such as global and government policies, demographics, effects of technology, consumer habits and the workplace changes are considered. With this information in mind, the first step in the process is to understand the nature of the job market. well-aware of the fact that most of the jobs are not advertised, 80 per cent of the jobs found are through cold-calling, and networking, 4/5th of the job market is hidden (you can’t find out about job openings unless you know someone in the company or you dig deeper); and only one per cent of resumes capture the attention of busy hiring managers of which the rest end up in the NO pile and none ever come back from that pile.
2. Research. Research the companies, the occupations (NOC – www.workingincanada.gc.ca) and industries you are interested in exploring for a jobs and/or career opportunities. What do employers need help with? What do they look for when they are hiring? Which are the most in demand jobs in Ontario? Canada? Is this industry growing or declining? What occupations within this industry am I qualified to do? Other ways to learn about your profession and opportunities is to research the industry’s associations and organizations as well as trade shows,
conferences and conventions. Sometimes the associations have job boards, information and networking events including job fairs. I would definitely consider attending as many activities as possible. Occasionally, there are events at no cost, but most of the time there is a fee. Use social media especially Linkedin to help you with your research.
3. Information Interviews. An invaluable networking and research tool, an information interview is a meeting between you (and your client) and someone who is already working in/hiring for a position similar to the one you are interested in for the purpose of research and networking. Information interviews are a powerful tool when researching an occupation, field, or specific company or agency. This is also a strategy to find a suitable mentor for your client, another source of excellent labour market information. Many have used this technique to prepare and target their resumes, determine the skills that employers are looking for and predict which questions are most likely to be asked during an interview
4. Network. Network. Network. Tapping into this hidden job market where most of the jobs are can best be accomplished through different networking techniques. Volunteering is a fantastic way to learn about the labour market and your dream job.
Use Linkedin, and all social media tools at your disposal to connect w potential employers.
There is a lot more information to cover to really understand the competitive labour market. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Best of luck with your job search.
Joanna
To submit your challenges, concerns, questions and comments regarding this column and/or your job search IN CONFIDENCE, please email Joanna Samuels, Employment Resource Supervisor, Reena – jsamuels@reena.or