According to Glassdoor.com, the following Hard and Soft skills are what employers are currently looking for in a variety of industries and and occupations.

Hard Skills

1. Data Collection and Analysis: With increased technology usage and the ability to track data and information more easily than ever before, employers are not only seeing this skill set appear more often on resumes but are eager to see how a candidate has been able to use this skill to their advantage. Whether you are marketing professional, working in logistics or operations, try and think of ways in which you have gathered and analyzed data. In fact, Glassdoor even recommends that if you can’t come up with examples from your previous employment, try taking a free online analytics course to get you going in the right direction.
2. Social Media: As many hiring managers are still reluctant to hire a full-time individual to manage their social media, they may be looking for someone who can supplement the need. However, when listing out specific experience in managing social media profiles, be sure to only touch on professional experience when it relates to social media management.
3. Content Management Systems: Creating websites and writing blogs are not just for professional designers and coders anymore. With the introduction of a number of free, easy to use websites such as WordPress, Blogger, etc., anyone can learn how to create/design a website or blog. Glassdoor recommends to check out one or more of these free sites and become knowledgeable in the platform. Looking to really make an impact? Create your own industry specific blog or online portfolio.

Soft Skills

1. Communication: As long as their have been companies and positions to be filled, employers have always valued someone with strong communication skills. In fact, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 73.4% of employers are looking for this very trait! The easiest way to display this skill on your resume is quite simple. Go over your resume and be sure to check for any grammatical or spelling errors. You want your resume to be written in a clear and concise format, give enough detail but not so much as to be overwhelming. Also, when speaking with a Recruiter, be sure to be brief when answering questions but also warm and conversational.
2. Problem Solving: All employers are looking for someone who can not only help to solve problems but have the ability to come up with creative ways in which to do. On your resume when explaining your job duties for previous positions, be sure to express those points in a way that focuses on you finding a solution. For example: “Increased monthly sales by 15%.”
3. Positive Attitude: Having a positive attitude is crucial for so many reasons in the workplace. This trait can make it easier to collaborate with co-workers and allow for creative solutions to be implemented, not to mention making the workplace a much more enjoyable atmosphere. When outlining your ability to have a positive attitude on your resume include words such as “overcame”, “determined”, “succeeded”, etc., to give an overall feeling of having a positive outlook.

Making just a few of these changes on your resume could, in fact, help you stand out just enough from your peers when applying for positions. Above all else, be confident in your skill set and make sure the Recruiter or Hiring Manager understands what you can bring to the table.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, Trillium Hospitality and Trillium Techs. With approximately 98 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

Being a skilled job seeker can be an art form. Even candidates who are under qualified or have less experience than others applying for a position, can gain a competitive edge in the interview process simply by being a strong interviewer. Here are some key components to landing your first job:

• Preparation is key.– Nothing jumps out to a hiring manager or HR rep faster than someone who is unprepared. Preparation for a career search can be timely process and being thorough is key. Many candidates complete the obvious such as obtaining contact information for references and preparing a resume, but don’t forget to think of how the recruiting market has changed in the past several years. Make sure that your social media landscape is separated by your personal and professional images. Having an employer locate you on LinkedIn with a professional profile that appropriately highlights your greatest attributes in your career field can quickly lose it’s power if your Facebook profile reflects less than a professional image. Keep in mind that the average recruiter spends less than 10 seconds reviewing your resume. Make sure your resume sells you quickly.
• Maintain an active network. Want to stay up to date on the latest trends in your industry? Do you want to be the first to know of excellent career opportunities in your field? The best way to gain and maintain up to date information in your field is to network with others in it. Social media and sites such as LinkedIn, provide excellent opportunities with little time commitment to stay informed and build relationships with others in your field. Make sure that others in your line of work know that you are looking for career opportunities. A simple update on your LinkedIn profile can quickly open doors. Sharing information and industry trends in groups and through status updates can quickly show others that you are knowledgeable and passionate about your field. In a recent survey by Salary.com as many as 72% of respondents reported using social connections to land a job.
• Do your research. Most employers will do a decent amount of research on you including reference checking, background screening, testing, and credential verifications. Show them that you have invested time into the process as well. Be educated and informed about their company, industry trends, their reputation, and their goals. Make it clear that you want to work with them and that while you have other options, partnering with them to meet their objectives and goals is something you are passionate about. Arrive early and dressed appropriately for your interview. Simply dressing the part and some simple research on the company can give you some added confidence in the interview, something employers are looking for. If you appear unsure, uneasy, or uninformed an employer may get the impression that you are uninterested or unprepared for a position with their organization. Strong interviewing skills can quickly progress you ahead of your peers.
• Partner with an industry expert. If you are a recent graduate or are entering a new line of work, your career search may prove more difficult than others with more experience in the role. Many employers are seeking candidates with prior experience or a more proven ability for their open positions. Getting a foot in the door with these employers can often prove to be more difficult. Working with an industry expert recruiter can significantly increase your chances of landing a position in your field. Partnering with a recruiter allows you a foot in the door, more inside information about the company and its objectives, interviewing and resume support and guidance, with the ability to prove your skills and abilities to an employer for a contracted period of time before they make a hiring commitment. Many employers prefer this flexibility and are more likely to hire an entry level candidate through a staffing partner due to the additional testing available. A contract to hire position also allows you to determine whether or not the position or company is the right choice for you, while building experience and skills for your resume.

Regardless of the profession you are looking to enter, remaining confident during the job seeking process is a must. If you find yourself becoming overly frustrated or discouraged, consider taking a few days off from the job search or partner with a staffing partner for more assistance. Often time candidates who are frustrated with their job search results can come across as lacking confidenence or negatively during an interview.

Are you a stand out professional or technical professional seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job seekers section for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.