Some people think when there’s high demand in a particular job field that landing a job will be a cinch. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
While some people pursue a career based on their personal passions, many people seek careers based on the job outlook, salary rate, and how in demand that career is projected to be in the coming years. When applying and interviewing for well-paying jobs in high demand fields, it’s always better to assume that you’ll be up against a ton of competing candidates.
The good news is that there are some things you can do now to land that in-demand job you want in the future.
Here are the five things you need to do if you want to score a job in a field that’s in high demand.
Polish Your Resume
Your resume is the first chance you have to make a good impression on a potential employer. Whether you have decades of experience behind you or are just starting out in your career, presenting employers with a high-quality resume is a must.
Take the time to update and polish your resume for the job you want, not the jobs you had in the past.
Your resume should call attention to the experience that’s most relevant for the job you’re trying to land. That includes volunteer or research experience you may have as well as educational experience and internships if you’re just starting out in the field.
Find a Mentor
A mentor can be an invaluable asset to your career. Mentors can help you improve upon the skills you have and identify the skills you need to develop. They can also help you build your network or get a foot in the door with a company you want to work for.
Gain More Experience
No matter what type of job you’re applying for, you need to have the skill set required to do the work. In some cases, a particular job may require you to have a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree. For higher level positions you may need 10+ years of experience or have team leader and management experience under your belt.
Whatever the job requires, dedicate the time to getting the education and developing the skills you need in order to qualify.
If you go on a management or team leader course make sure that you keep your certificate. You will then be able to prove that you have had professional training when applying for a job.
Practice and Prepare for Your Interview
The best way to score a job is to ace your interview. If you want to stand out as the perfect job candidate, here’s what you’ll need to do before, during, and after the interview.
Before the interview:
- Research the employer in depth
- Prepare alist of questions to ask
- Prepare answers to commonly asked questions
- Practice answering interview questions with a friend
The Day of the Interview:
- Arrive early
- Display your confidence
- Be upbeat and positive
- Remain professional and friendly at all times
- Stay calm, even if the interview doesn’t seem to be going well
- Ask your own questions at the end of the interview
After the Interview
- Follow up with a thank you email
High paying, high demand jobs attract many candidates. If you want to stand out as the best you’ll need to do all of these things to prove to the interviewer that you are the absolute best hire for the position.
Know Your Worth
Scoring a high demand job is one thing. Getting the salary you deserve is another.
Before you interview, do some salary research. That’s the only way to know if the salary offered is in line with what other employees at your experience level are earning in similar positions.
Many employers have a salary in mind but are willing to be flexible and negotiate a higher rate for the right candidate. If you’re confident that you’re the most qualified candidate for the job, you may be able to negotiate a higher salary.
Sometimes when there’s a high demand in a particular field, employers also offer signing bonuses to attract top-tier candidates. If they don’t offer one outright that doesn’t mean a signing bonus is off the table, it just means that you might need to ask for one.
When you know you’re experienced and qualified to do a job that’s in high demand, it’s reasonable to ask if a signing bonus is attached. This article about the signing bonus for physicians gives excellent tips on how to ask for one and negotiate that additional pay.
In Conclusion
To land a job in a field that’s in high demand you’ll need the skills, the experience, a great resume, and solid interview skills.
The most important thing is to remain patient and not get discouraged.
The more candidates vying for the same position, the more candidates there will be that won’t get the job. If you’re one of them, chalk it up to experience and move on to the next opportunity. When trying to land the perfect job, it’s always better to look forward than to look back.
