HOW LONG DOES IT REALLY TAKE TO FIND A JOB?

The unemployment rate is at a historic low, but how long does it really take to find a job?

Despite some bumpiness in the stock market recently, the overall state of the economy and the job market remains good. In recent months, there have been more jobs than there are job seekers. But a good economy is only part of the total job search picture.

Here are some other factors that impact how quickly candidates will land a job:

• The quality of job search materials such as resumes and cover letters
• The credentials of the candidate
• The effectiveness of the job search strategy
• The quality of the candidate's networking skills
• The quality of the candidate's interview skills
• How much time and energy the candidate devotes to the job search
• The level of demand for the candidate's skill set

Other factors may include the geographic flexibility of the candidate and, if applicable, how long the candidate has been unemployed. (Generally speaking, the longer a candidate has been unemployed, the longer it will take to find work).

So what can a job seeker do to speed up the process?

• Enhance your skills and get certifications/credentials that are in high demand in your industry
• Expand your network both online, by connecting and communicating with others on LinkedIn, and in person by attending networking events and conferences.
• Get advice from a career/job search coach about how to improve your resume, cover letters, and interview skills. S/he can also help you improve your marketability and develop an effective job search strategy.

GOOD LUCK!