How to Attract Potential Employers

Leaving one industry for another sometimes brings positive changes to your life, especially when the industry you are currently in is suffering from the economic crisis brought about by the pandemic. 

While making the shift to a new industry may be challenging, this change becomes an asset to you when you use the job skills you gained in your previous job. Doing so can impress potential employers and help you secure the position. 

Your transferable skills, as well as your hard work, dedication, and work ethic, can propel you to the top of the hire list of every employer. Here are five job skills that can impress potential employers in a new industry.

Learn to listen well. 

No business can operate or even survive without communication. In the workplace, being attentive and actively listening to others is a must. Take note of what your boss or client says, and get the instructions and details accurately. 

Not everybody has superb listening skills, but you can turn this weakness into your strength. To actively listen to a colleague, do away with distractions and focus on hearing what the speaker is saying. Think about what you want to say before you respond to the message. If it helps, take down notes. Practice listening well by repeating important information to the person you are talking to, and ask questions or give clarifications over what they said. 

Lead yourself to lead others effectively. 

Anyone can have leadership skills--it does not depend on a lofty title. Being a leader means having the ability to manage a group well and motivating them to reach a specific goal. 

While it takes time to hone this skill, it is a matter of practice. Try initiating work on a project, volunteering for a more active role in a team, and working diligently on a task assigned to you. Observe how a department works as a whole, and provide support whenever you can. Something as simple as speaking up during meetings, or giving your ideas on how to accomplish a task better, can show that you can take the lead. 

When you need to do research, delve deep. 

Your research skills will always be an asset. Anyone who has a keen eye for details, understands and studies industry and market trends, and organises information to reach a sound analysis and conclusion can help a company grow and thrive amidst any crisis. Managers are always looking for employees with exceptional research skills, especially in these times when companies must know new trends to help them stay afloat during this crisis. 

You can amp up your research skills by being up-to-date in your industry. Set aside an hour to read articles and watch relevant news. Subscribe to blogs or Youtube channels to learn insights and tutorials. Attending virtual conferences and events may also help. Set up a job search alert on JobStreet so you can easily see the jobs and qualifications in new industries.

Take time to discern before making a decision. 

Employers are always looking for people who can solve problems efficiently and effectively. They need individuals who can make sense of a situation and offer logical and viable solutions. Problem-solving skills include initiative, imagination, innovative thinking, strong analytical abilities, resilience, and teamwork.

Step up and be proactive. 

Your passion for the job and for helping colleagues and clients are valuable traits that potential employers will appreciate. A person with passion and dedication is bound to be reliable and responsible. These traits also show that you are highly interested in the industry and that you are willing to share your knowledge and talent.

Hone your volunteerism skill by offering to take on a new task. Doing so makes employers see you as responsible and dependable. You can take the helm of a new project and ask your colleagues for support. A strong sense of commitment and compassion to start and finish projects also improves your skills in this area.

Recalibrate your resume. 

To give potential employers an outstanding first impression, your resume and JobStreet profile must match the person they represent. Your resume must stand out from thousands of people looking for a new job. As the saying goes, that first impression lasts.

Whether you are already seeking a job, or just entertaining the prospect of working in another industry, a well-thought-out resume that clearly defines your goals and skills can be your ticket to impressing new employers. The second half of 2020 is the ideal time to highlight your skills and improve your resume, as most Malaysian companies have lifted their embargo and have become more active in hiring again.

Update your JobStreet profile to highlight your skills and experience that will impress employers from other industries. Add #WorkNow to let employers know that you are immediately available for work. Search jobs on JobStreet and visit the Career Resources Hub for more expert advice.

At JobStreet, we believe in bringing you #JobsThatMatter. As a Career Partner, we are committed to helping all jobseekers find passion and purpose in every career choice. And as the number 1 Talent Partner in Asia, we connect employers with the right candidates who truly make a positive and lasting impact on the organisation. 

Discover Jobs That Matter. Visit JobStreet today.

About SEEK Asia 

SEEK Asia, a combination of two leading brands JobStreet and jobsDB, is the leading job portal and Asia's preferred destination for candidates and hirers. SEEK Asia’s presence span across 7 countries namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. SEEK Asia is part of the Australian Securities Exchange-listed SEEK Limited Company, the world's largest job portal by market capitalisation. SEEK Asia attracts over 400 million visits a year.

About SEEK Limited

SEEK is a diverse group of companies, comprising a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK has a global presence (including Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, South-East Asia, Brazil and Mexico), with exposure to over 2.9 billion people and approximately 27 per cent of global GDP. SEEK makes a positive contribution to people’s lives on a global scale.