At times signing on to a certain company can be sort of like dating. Do you want to be with someone whose eyes are always on the prowl looking for the next best thing? Do you want to be with someone who is always interested in connecting themselves with someone better?

Chances are, if a company is the best of the best, it will want to work with the best. If you believe you are the best, you will have a great chance of sticking around.

Many companies advertise that they are “always looking for talented candidates.” They may not have a particular position listed, but if you are outstanding at an aspect of your industry, you can be sure that they will take a look at you. If you are an average candidate, you probably won’t get a second look.

So what exactly does a company mean when it puts itself out there this way?

• They do not have exact positions available but are looking for candidates who can knock their socks off to invest in.
• They are harvesting resumes for when the budget allows for a needed position.
• They are looking to replace a worker who may be nearing retirement or have some padding if an employer leaves.

Many people have gotten jobs through these types of advertisements. There are ways to approach a different sort of recruiting method such as this including:

• Send in a cover letter and resume explaining what you have to offer: You may be so successful at what you do that the company will have to have you.
• Never call: This is like a cold-call for sales. Plus, you don’t want to bother them if they are not looking to fill any positions and have better things to do.

If you want to connect your outstanding skills with the best employers contact Clark Personnel Service today!

No matter what field you’re in, there are certain skills you need when you’re on the job hunt. In the past, they included how to put together a resume, how to behave in an interview, how to handle followup. These days, there are brand-new must-have job search skills. Here are five of them:

Pain Spotting To really grab en employer’s attention in your cover letter (or cover email), you’ve got to figure out—by reading the job ad and researching the employer—what sort of business pain lurks behind the job opening.

Is it growth-related pain, or consolidation-related pain? Pain associated with customers fleeing, with competitors outsourcing the work and cutting costs, or with a shortage of talent in an industry? When you know or can guess at the pain behind the job ad, you have something of substance to say to a hiring manager.

Storytelling: “I have a strong work ethic and get along with all kinds of people” is about as compelling as “I had coffee this morning.” Nearly everyone claims these traits. To get a hiring manager’s attention, tell a brief and powerful story that demonstrates what you get done when you work. Let a hiring manager know some of the good things that you make happen.

Using a Human Voice: The old “results-oriented professional with a bottom-line orientation” style of resume is as out of date as VCRs. Using a human ‘voice’ in your resume or in any other communication with employers will separate you from the boilerplate-spouting hordes. Replace tired resume-speak like “Met or exceeded expectations” with a concrete achievement. And forget the old rule about not using the word “I” in your resume.

Showing Relevance: Forget the one-size-fits-all resume that gets sent out for any open position. You need to make your background relevant to the hiring manager by highlighting the accomplishments from each past job that relate to the role you’re pursuing. Update your resume as often as necessary to make sure your most relevant stories come to the fore.

Knowing Your Value: No one will pay you more than you’re worth, so know your value before you begin an active job search. There are several website that will help you calculate your market value and avoid getting lowballed in the hiring process. Arm yourself with information, then get out there and tell your story.

Still feeling unsure about a job search in this economy? Contact Clark Personnel today—we’re happy to share our expertise and help you find that next great opportunity!

A new year means a new start and a new perspective. Have you considered revamping your job search tactics? What are the latest and greatest ways to go about getting a job?

U.S. employers are expecting to increase their hiring by 9 percent in the first quarter, according to the December Manpower Employment Outlook Survey-the most promising hiring Outlook survey since 2008. Take advantage of that upswing by following these  “Best-Kept Job Search Tips.”

1. Apply Early. If you’re using job postings, stay on top of them. A recent study revealed that 50% of company hires were applicants who applied within the first week. Approximately 75% of all hired candidates applied within three weeks of the job posting.

2. Keep up on Company News. After you’ve compiled your list of target companies, read up on their current news. The newspaper, their company website or their social media accounts can report their positive announcements – which can lead to more job opportunities posted by them. Plus, it gives you a way to prove to them that you’ve done your research, when you go for an interview.

3. Understand A Company’s Hiring Approach. Each company has a different way of recruiting and hiring candidates – for example, a company may solely hire on employee referrals. For the companies you’re interested in, learn what kinds of processes bring candidates to them so that you can adapt.

4. Join a Professional Organization. Join the local chapter of a professional organization. You can network and also keep up on recent developments in your field at meetings and presentations.

5. Network Through Social Media. Following a company’s Twitter account may not be enough, so engage with other users that work at that company. Research shows that 1 in 10 candidates whose resumes come through a referral are hired, compared to 1 in 100 general applicants.

And if you’re looking for more assistance in finding that perfect job? Contact us today!