IT'S NOT just on The Apprenticethat lots of people have to battle it out for a single position. Competition is becoming increasingly fierce in the wider jobs market, as growing numbers of people chase a shrinking pool of vacancies. So how can candidates manage their job search so that they stand out from the crowd, and what can they do to convince employers to say those magic words: "You're hired"?
It may sound very basic but according to Frank Collins, president of the National Recruitment Federation, it's very important that the individual really assess their skills, abilities and experiences. "You need to have computer skills in almost any job now, and to be able to communicate with people," he advises.
It you don't have the necessary skills, then you'll have to bite the bullet and acquire them by taking a training course. Collins says that employers will react well if someone shows that they're trying to upskill, for example, if they're studying by night, as it demonstrates determination and a desire to improve themselves, always desirable traits in an employee.
Attitude is also becoming increasingly important, and body language counts for a lot in an interview situation. Employers know that the ball is now in their court, and won't be impressed with candidates who slouch or appear overly laid-back in interviews. Doing your research on the company is more important than ever - a blasé attitude might have been tolerated in the days when there was a skills shortage but now it'll get you short shrift.
If you're applying for a position in a different industry out of necessity, Collins recommends being honest if asked about your reason for switching to a new field. If it's because there are no jobs going in your area of expertise, then be open about this, but emphasise that you will be committed to doing the best job possible if you're hired. Try to focus your job search on sectors that genuinely interest you, because this will come across in the interview.
Job seekers should hold back from asking questions or making demands that could be interpreted as warning signs that they're not particularly keen, or that they're going to be awkward if they get the job. For example, don't insist that you couldn't possibly work weekends, or tell the interviewer that you would have to leave work early some days. Chances are that the next 10 people they interview will be completely flexible.
Don't sell yourself short, Collins advises, but don't come out all guns blazing either. Asking straight off about salary levels and overtime is a no-no at the interview stage now. "Get the job first. Get the employer to want you. Then start doing the haggling."
If you manage to secure a job offer, it may seem like all your problems are solved. However, if you're on the jobs market because you've been made redundant, then Paul Carroll of CPL Resources warns against automatically accepting the first job offer without thinking it through.
"What happens sometimes is that people accept the first job that they're offered, which is not necessarily the best job for them," he says. "Sometimes they accept it out of a perceived necessity . . . If you're just taking it purely to get back into the working environment and it's not right for you, you will be back out looking again within 12 months." His view is that rushing into a commitment when you're on the rebound doesn't work in relationships, so why should it work in employment?
At the same time, with the economic situation worsening by the day, if you're out of work then you can't afford to be too choosy. You may need to readjust your expectations. Don't rule out contract roles. Although companies won't guarantee that a contract will lead to anything, it's a foot in the door, and you could well be first in line for a permanent position.
