In a recent blog post on Work Strong, Peter Weddle pulled no punches when he described the current job market and what job seekers need to do in order to remain competitive:

“This job market is a poser. It wants you to think it’s a regular old job market just like those we’ve always had. And, if you buy into that notion, you’ll be setting yourself up for failure…Today, the come as you are job market has been replaced by the “get better if you want to get work” job market. And most people are unaware of the change.”

You can read the full article here, but in summary, Weddle tells job seekers that they can no longer rely on past skills and accomplishments. In order to compete against the job competition, you have to continually upgrade your skill set.

We present 6 ways you can “get better” and get the attention of more hiring managers:

1. Dedicate 30-60 minutes each day to train on a new skill. 30 minutes a day is doable for anyone. The time you would normally spend watching a television sitcom, playing a video game, or talking on the phone, could be used to develop new software skills, learn a new language, or study for a certification. Your 30 minutes could be spent with a training book, practicing functions in a software application, or following tutorials on the web. Just google the skill or software you’re after + “tutorials” and you’ll find plenty of free resources that can help you. The Supporting Cast offers free MS Office tutorials to job seekers – just contact us to receive a link.
2. Take a class. This may require a greater investment of time and money, but taking a night or weekend class can get your skills up to speed quickly. If you find that self-study takes too much self-discipline, a class with set days and hours could be the way to go. Classes have the advantage of a live, interactive environment, and an instructor can give you immediate answers to your questions. It’s also a chance to network with peers and learn from people with similar goals.
3. Intern. Many job seekers scoff at internships. Afterall, who wants to work for free? Although internships might not pay the bills, they are a great avenue for anyone, regardless of experience, who wants to learn a new skill or embark on a new career. In fact, an internship can be the most effective way to learn new skills – nothing beats on-the-job training. Although there’s no guarantee, internships can lead to full-time positions. Before picking up an internship, just make sure the employer is clear on what you’ll be doing for the company. You want to develop skills and applicable experience, not make coffee runs.
4. Find a mentor. Do you know somebody who has the skills and experience you would like to achieve? Ask them if they would mind spending an hour each week mentoring you. When it comes to sharing expertise, most professionals will have no problem paying-it-forward. In addition to gaining knowledge, you’ve also made an industry contact who might be able to help you find work.
5. Drop skills that are no longer useful. Sometimes, to learn new skills you have to abandon old ones. For instance, a graphic designer who knows Quark, but wants to learn the ins and outs of InDesign, may need to stop building layouts in Quark. When we’re comfortable using an application or skill set, our natural tendency is to turn to it every time. Sometimes, to become better and master new areas, you have to break out of your comfort zone.
6. Join Groups and Communities. Online groups, like the kind you can find on LinkedIn and Meetup, can be a great way to learn about trends in your industry, and to pick up pointers from your peers. For instance, if you’re an Administrative Assistant, you can network and learn from other assistants by joining the Administrative Assistants Group on Linkedin. Meetup.com, although an online resource, allows like-minded individuals to schedule in-person group meetings based on location. And again, besides building knowledge and skills, you’re also building an invaluable network of contacts.

Follow one, or all of these skill building, self-improvement strategies and you’ll be taking the right steps to becoming more competitive in the “get better to get work” job market.

Don’t play the Lotto. “Hey, you never know,” is a great tagline for the New York Lottery, but a very bad strategy for job seekers. “Sure, the job description says five years of experience in java programming, and I have none, but heck, I’m good with computers, so you never know…” Even if you have zero expectations of getting called in for an interview, you’ll still count the experience as a job you didn’t get. This might not seem like a big deal at first, but when you continually apply for “long-shots” the cumulative impact can be demoralizing. Before you know it, you’ve stopped applying for jobs you are qualified for fearing another rejection. Instead, stay focused on positions that are a match for your skills and experience.

Don’t put the company before the job. “Well, it’s not really what I want to do but, hey, it’s at Google!” Job dissatisfaction knows no boundaries (even the walls of Google, Apple or (insert uber cool company of your choice here). When you apply to a job, make sure it’s a job you would be happy doing, regardless of the company you would be doing it for. And the “hey, you never know” strategy is a super-no-no if you have your heart set on working for a particular company. You may think you’re increasing your chances of getting hired by applying to every open job on the company’s job board, but all you’re really doing is convincing HR you have dissociative identity disorder. If there isn’t a job listing that matches your background, wait until there is. Better yet, if the company allows general resume submissions, submit your resume and a cover letter that explains why you want to work there, and why you would be a benefit to their team. You should also use LinkedIn to leverage connections and get an introduction to hiring managers at the company.

Don’t forget about the money. For the unemployed job seeker in a tight economy, any job can look like a good job. While it’s reasonable to make compromises and take a job that pays less than your last position, you should still be comfortable with the salary.