Fortunately, increasing your chances of landing a great gig can be made simpler by making you and your resume stand out to potential employers. “How might one do that?”, you may ask.

Well, we can show you some simple yet effective tips for helping you build a standout resume, which in turn may just help you be noticed by employers at your next job.

Be teachable

A great employee is always willing to add to their existing skill set. If you have any lengths of time between jobs, then it is a great idea to build on skills that you already have or learn some new ones, while you search for a new position.

There are numerous online classes you can take, especially in the field of computers, which you can take at little or no cost to you. Take advantage of these learning opportunities and as soon as you feel ready, add them to your resume. Local libraries, and online education companies, such as Udemy, offer a variety of classes that you can take.

Look for in-demand skills for the general workplace, as well as those that seem to be gaining popularity in your field and look for ways to learn those skills. Potential employers will be impressed that you used your downtime from the workforce so wisely.

Learn how to create actionable SMART goals (Specific – Measurable – Attainable – Realistic – Timely) that will help you learn to break down what you’d like to accomplish in your career, both in the long and short term.

Be a giver

Give your time outside of the workplace to worthy causes and organizations.

Volunteering and donating your energy, time, and resources show that you care about your community and enjoy being part of a vision, even when you’re not necessarily being paid for it.

And you can enjoy volunteering. Choose a cause or organization that you’re passionate about. You will meet new people and try new things, and in the long run, you will gain a unique experience and perspective that will shine through when you present your curriculum vitae to your next prospective employer.

Be social

Use professional social media accounts, and keep them classy. Using professional social networking tools, such as LinkedIn, is a great way to network with other professionals in various fields and find out about recent openings.

Going to networking events or job fairs is also a great way to meet other potential employers in person. Dress professionally, but still stay genuine. If you want to find out if you’re a good fit for the work culture at a certain corporation, then being true to your personalities positive traits is a good way to determine that.

Be image-conscious

Be genuine, but dress and behave in a professional manner. Companies view their employees as the face of their company because they are the face of the business. People who care about the way that they act and dress are less likely to do things that would reflect poorly their employers, so carry yourself with dignity and integrity.

Keep any headshots that you have posted on your online profiles or hand out with your resume professional and classy. (That vacation photo of you fishing off of the docks with a brew in hand may not be the best choice.)

While the current job market does seem to be saturated, there are ways that you can present yourself so that you stand out in a positive way. By implementing the tips we’ve mentioned above, you will be more likely to stand out as a potential employee that any corporation would be proud of.

Start your job hunt today!

Caring involves supporting people to live as independent a life as possible. Care work, as a career choice opens a wide range of roles from caring for elderly people in a care home to caring for disabled people in their own homes. Caring means enabling people with disabilities to access the community, for example, a support worker may travel on public transport with a person with learning difficulties to a local college. A career in care for the right candidate, whilst sometimes challenging, can be highly satisfying and rewarding.

What does a carer do?

A carer is in some respects an intermediary who must work with the client they are caring for and the client’s family. It is essential that the client’s precise needs are agreed and a specific plan needs to be formulated and acted on. This may entail ensuring the client is comfortable and that all the normal daily routines are catered for including shopping and meals etc. In many cases providing emotional support is also crucial.

How do I get into care work?

In order to apply for work as a professional carer to start your career there are many positions advertised on websites such as GoCareer. Depending on your individual circumstances there are a wide variety of positions available, based in the community, at Care Homes and also in Hospitals and long stay residential establishments.  Apprenticeships are becoming a popular way into the profession. Whilst some previous experience in a caring role can be beneficial, it is not always an essential requirement. Employers give full training to the right candidates.  A Disclosure and Barring Check is necessary as carers work with the elderly and people with disabilities who are vulnerable, so a DBS would be required by an employer and also sometimes a CRB check.

What does a carer earn?

The salary for a worker starting out is in the range of £12,500 – £16,000 pa. An experienced carer would likely be on around £18,000 pa whilst a very experienced or Senior Care Supervisor may earn £25,000 pa or more. Salaries may vary regionally.

What skills do I need to work in care?

It is essential that you are able to deal with people of all ages and from all walks of life. Excellent communication skills and a good understanding of tactfulness are crucial. Organizational skills will be of great benefit. Patience, understanding and calmness in a sometimes stressful environment is also important.

How can I progress in care?

There is every opportunity to keep learning with the opportunity to attend a number of internal or external training initiatives and progress into senior roles as well as administrative positions and management / senior management in a wide variety of Care institutions.

Am I suited to care work?

Like with so many career choices you will probably have an idea if care is a potential career path for you and you could discuss the matter further with friends and family and indeed anyone you know who is already working in care to sound out their thoughts on the matter.

What is the next step?

Check out our latest featured care jobs: www.gocareer.co.uk/featured