In a tough employment market, call on your hire powers to win your role.

A lot has changed in the job market. Not long ago, bosses had trouble finding good staff and hanging on to them, but now redundancies and unemployment are commonplace.

Yes, the economy is starting to improve, but economists say the employment market will be the last thing to recover, as bosses hold off hiring staff until they're sure of a turnaround. If you're employed, now's not the time to change jobs. Hold on to your position and don't take it for granted. If you want to move on, be sure to stay employed while you look for something else.

It's not impossible to find a job right now - you've just got to put in extra effort.

Don't be too picky

While it's good to set high expectations, you also need to be realistic. Job ads are falling. If you can't find your ideal position, start looking elsewhere - you can always search for something better when things pick up.

Generation Y (those born between the early '80s and early '90s) are having the most difficulty adjusting. They're well-educated, tech-savvy and have high expectations. They've never been through a downturn. All they know is 16 years of consecutive economic growth, lots of jobs, and being able to pick and choose.

 

Apply yourself

Don't underestimate the importance of your CV - it can win you the job, or lose it for you. It markets you to prospective employers, so make it stand out from other applicants.

Include all your relevant experience, qualifications and skills, and emphasise your big career achievements. Also, change it for different job applications to make sure you're meeting all of the advertised criteria.

If you're overqualified for a job, address it in your cover letter and explain why you still want the role. Some employers may fear you'll get bored and move on too quickly.

Shine in the interview

Your interview is vital. The employer will ask questions they think are important, and your responses will help them decide if you're the one for them. Make sure you're prepared.

Highlight any qualifications, skills and positive qualities that set you apart. Bring them into your answers or bluntly tell them, ‘I think you should hire me because...'

Do your homework and find out as much as possible about the company on their website before the interview. Then, during the interview, drop hints that show you've done your research.

Don't underestimate the importance of presentation. In the eyes of the interviewer, the way you present yourself to them reflects how you work. It's important to be on time, appropriately dressed, and neat and tidy.

Job-hunting tips

n Stay employed while looking

n Be adaptable

n Put in extra effort

n Know your strengths

n Market yourself

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