When everyone is doing something the same way, it might be a good time to try something different. The job market is tough right now. LinkedIn and social channels are flooded with stories of job seekers spending months and sometimes years looking for the next job. Hundreds of thousands of applications are going into ATS systems. Few are getting read by humans. Despair, frustration, desperation is setting in.
If you find yourself amongst the herd, it can be next to impossible to stand out. Here are some things you can do instead:
Learn new skills
Take a course on Coursera. Learn a new language. Build experience in an application of interest.
Network
Attend Meetups in your area. Reach out to professionals working in jobs you’re interested in. Request informational calls. Volunteer with local organizations.
Build your brand
Showcase your work using a visual portfolio. Publish a splash page on Behance or other web based platform. Demonstrate your coding skills. Blog about your skills and experience. Show your passion and hiring managers will come to you.
Build a freelance business
Freelance and consulting sites like Upwork and the like can require an immense amount of work upfront to gain any business. But once you’ve accumulated some clients and the great reviews start rolling in, freelance platforms can provide a substantial source of revenue. Do the research, put a plan together, and follow through. You’ll stay tip of spear on your craft, you’ll gain entrepreneurial skills, and you’ll develop a network along the way.
The moral of the story is this: when everyone is doing a thing, it might be a good time for you to try something different. While they are pitching, you could be building.