In a competitive job market, every detail matters. Your resume, cover letter, and your post-interview thank-you note all have to be perfect. Any advantage you can gain over the other applicants will allow you to stand out and potentially land your next big opportunity. 

Although a job hunt can be a daunting experience, it doesn't have to be. The key to your success is understanding what you're looking for and how to use your expertise to find it.

How to Land a Job in a Competitive Market

Despite the difficulty level, you’re still in good shape to beat out the competition. Here are a few things you should keep in mind as you embark on your job search journey.

Review Your Resume and Cover Letter

Your resume is the first thing recruiters see and the document that determines whether you land an interview, so it’s essential you ace this step. Use these tips to create a hire-worthy resume:

• Keep your resume clear and concise. It should take 30 seconds to skim your resume.
• Tailor your resume to suit the position you’re applying for, not a general position.
• Use the chronological resume format, including your work history, skills, and education. Don't add a professional summary. It wastes resume space.
• Add strong keywords throughout your resume. You’ll need to do this to bypass the Applicant Tracking System. Use keywords you found in the employer's job posting.
• Limit your resume to one page and proofread it several times.

To give you an idea of how to draft your document, take a look at some resume examples from other professionals in your industry. Consider hiring a resume and cover letter writer who can check for grammatical mistakes, industry relevance, or missing information. 

Brush Up on Your Video Interview Skills

Video interviewers are pretty common, but they aren’t easier. It can be difficult to show off your enthusiasm and personality from a tiny screen. Still, if you choose a well-lit location and focus on your nonverbal responses, video interviewers are no different than the in-person variety.

Conduct a Social Media Audit

Recruiters will search your name on Google to learn more about you. Depending on how you assert yourself on social media, one quick social media search could disqualify you from getting the job. It’s crucial to conduct a self-audit before you start applying to companies.

Start by looking at Google results when you type in your name. Tackle your personal blogs, profiles, and websites first by either scrubbing them clean or deleting them. Unfortunately, making your accounts private could imply to recruiters you have something to hide.

Next, improve your LinkedIn profile by adding a professional photo, a profile summary, and a catchy headline. Ask your connections to leave recommendations for your skill sets.

Expand Your Professional Network

70-85% of all job positions are filled through referrals or networking. While your education, experience, and personal brand all matter during your job search, networking is still the most effective way to scope out new hires. To start the process, go to virtual networking events.

LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms often host self-run or user-run digital meetups, virtual job fairs, and virtual coffee dates. Just search “virtual networking,” your industry, and your location to find other job seekers or employers who want to connect with you.

Volunteer, Job Shadow, or Learn

Being unemployed doesn’t have to necessarily be a bad thing. In between handing out resumes, search for volunteer and job shadowing opportunities. Freelance work, internships, and volunteer experience can help round out your resume and occupy your free time.

However, if you have some money saved up, you should consider going back to school. Earning a certification can boost your resume, but learning a language or a new skill can also impress recruiters. Several online resources that can help you make the most of your job search.

Be Patient and Flexible

When searching for a job, it’s difficult to practice patience, but it may take you longer than usual to get hired. Set your expectations and remain flexible because a great job may appear that you’re not too thrilled to take. Give it a chance; you may end up enjoying your new opportunity.