The 2015 Regional Hiring Outlook, a report and survey by recruiting firm The Execu|Search Group, shows a much improved job market, where employees may finally have the upper hand. If you’re looking for a job, it’s helpful to know what employers are focusing on so you can target your job search activity to meet their needs.
Execu|Search: 63% of clients surveyed said their biggest challenge of 2015 will be finding qualified candidates.
Now that you know employers are concerned about finding qualified candidates, make it easy for them to assess your qualifications in all of your marketing, networking and interviewing. Make sure your resume and online profile include specific skills and measurable results. Lead with tangible examples when you describe what you do. When you research a specific job, talk to insiders for that company or at least the industry to find out what the main concerns are for that role. Then position your qualifications specifically to address those concerns.
Execu|Search: 65% of employers surveyed plan on putting more emphasis on employee training and retention in 2015.
If you’re employed, get a piece of this employer largesse. What skills training, certifications, conferences, professional memberships, or trade subscriptions would help you improve on your job? Even if the company doesn’t have a specific offering in place, propose it. If you’ve asked before, ask again. If you’re doing well, now that you know retention is top of mind for employers, let them know how they can retain you. If you’ve been eying a more flexible schedule, a stretch project, or access to other areas of the company, this is a good time to ask. (If you’re not doing well or don’t know how you’re doing, find out what you need to improve before asking. Retention incentives are always reserved for the best performers).
Execu|Search: 60% of employers surveyed plan to increase compensation for staff in 2015.
In my Seven Steps To Take Before You Ask For A Raise, I talk about the importance of market data. Make sure your employer knows that 60% of employers are planning compensation increases. (Your boss may even be grateful for this data point to help with his/her own compensation negotiation!) If you haven’t reviewed your compensation against the market norms in a while, now is the time to make sure you’re being paid competitively. Starting a new job is where many professionals get a big boost in compensation. If you want to stay put, you need to be proactive in keeping up with market rates.
Execu|Search: Companies should expect potential employees to receive multiple offers in 2015.
Of course, this is good news. However, if you want to get multiple offers, this means you need to manage multiple leads at the same time. Many job seekers make the mistake of pursuing only a handful of opportunities simultaneously. Even worse, when an offer looks imminent, many job seekers stop adding to their leads, instead focusing all of their efforts on the most promising one. But you won’t get multiple offers (and the increased leverage that come with it) unless you maintain multiple irons in the fire. Aim for 10 strong possibilities at any one time. If you’re employed, your current company is one lead. Don’t forget that it counts as a lead, but don’t rely on it exclusively.
Execu|Search: 80% of employers surveyed stated that personality fit was “critical” or “very important” in their hiring process, which has impacted hiring strategies.
Job search is about people and relationships. Are you likeable, engaging, enthusiastic, relatable? Sure you may be qualified technically, but do people want to be around you? This isn’t about being best friends with every employer and recruiter you meet. But people hire people that they want to work with, as much as hiring for skill or expertise.
Caroline Ceniza-Levine is a career and business coach with SixFigureStart®. She has worked with executives from Amazon, American Express, Condé Nast, Gilt, Goldman Sachs, Google, McKinsey, and other leading firms. Catch Caroline on her upcoming webinar on Focus: Make 2015 The Year Things Happen.
