According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8.4 million Americans were classified as unemployed as of September 2021, yet there were more than 10 million job openings reported just a few months prior. So why are so many people still out of work when there are 2 million–plus more jobs than there are job seekers? Unpopular opinion: Many job seekers have unrealistic expectations.
 
If you are one of the many people who aren’t getting interviews, let alone job offers, no matter how hard you try, maybe it’s time to reevaluate your approach. Here are three changes you can make right now to increase your odds of getting hired:

Emotional intelligence—the ability to recognize, understand, and utilize emotions in a healthy, constructive manner—has significant impact in the workplace. In fact, research shows it is the strongest predictor of performance, as well as a crucial characteristic of successful and authentic leaders.

by StandOut Resumes

Core competencies (sometimes referred to as core qualifications) are the skills, certifications, knowledge, and personality traits that make you a desirable candidate for a specific job. Though it may seem redundant to include a core competencies or qualifications section at the top of your resume, this section can be very useful. A well-placed, well-written list of specific qualifications can grab the attention of recruiters who often judge resumes after mere seconds of scanning. ​

According to a CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates, and 57% found content that caused them not to hire candidates. Also, a study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 36% of companies have decided not to give people jobs because of what they discovered through online searches and social media.
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Your social media accounts are an extension of who you are. Therefore, the content you post on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms could have serious repercussions on your professional life. Here are some important steps to take to clean up your online presence before conducting a job search:

​You’ve successfully submitted a resume, aced your interviews, and landed an exciting new job. You’re eager to prove yourself as a valuable employee. But, as you’re packing lunch for your first day, you can’t help wondering—how do you demonstrate your worth to those around you on day one?

​Haven’t interviewed in a while? Worried that you’ll choke under pressure or bungle your responses to the hiring manager’s questions? You might be surprised to know that the majority of all candidates are nervous, even anxious, before an interview.

​By Tammy S. Robbins, StandOut Resumes

​With events and travel plans postponed or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s easy to lose momentum in your career development and relationship building efforts. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to stay connected and keep your career goals on track from your home office. Here are a few virtual networking tips to help you branch out professionally even when you’re stuck inside.

​By Julia Randall, StandOut Resumes

​Few events in life are more demoralizing and disheartening than getting called to your manager’s office to learn you won’t have a job tomorrow.  Add to that the prospect of navigating a job search, and the panic can feel paralyzing for professionals who suddenly face an uncertain future.  How do you recover from a layoff?  Here are five key steps to take when you need to find a job opportunity—quickly.

By  ​ Bridget White  Castells, StandOut Resumes

​Phone and virtual interviews have become increasingly popular among hiring managers and recruiters in recent years. For those doing the interviewing, the very few drawbacks to this higher-tech screening process are easily offset. They can evaluate more people in less time, turning a large “maybe” pile into a smaller “interested” pile without blocking off their calendars for weeks.
 
However, there can definitely be a few drawbacks for job seekers. If you don’t take a virtual or phone interview with the same seriousness as you would an in-person interview, you could easily miss out on a great opportunity. Make sure you stand out in the applicant pool with these three virtual interview tips: