Editor’s note: This article was first published in June 2012, during Spain’s economic crisis; the number of jobseekers approaching six million and the references to the current crisis belong to that period.
One of the workplace skills that boosts each employee’s employability in their company is the ability to adapt to change, and at a time like the present it becomes a must, both for those who are already in a company and for those looking for a new job opportunity.
This adaptation to change shows up in employees in two key ways: working longer hours than the usual working day, something that, according to studies, has been happening since 2010, and taking on more responsibilities from employees who have retired or whose posts have been left vacant because of the current crisis, extra work that an estimated three out of four employees have taken on.
When we cut staff, the people who stay have to take on the responsibilities and tasks of the employee who has gone, including the new tasks that today’s market demands day to day, such as the company’s social media strategy.
We are living through times of change, and these are two factors that have changed what makes someone employable: they are what it takes to keep your job and what companies demand from new hires, something they can easily ask for when the number of jobseekers will soon reach six million.
Advice for jobseekers.
As well as bearing in mind that, if you land a decent job, you will take on more responsibilities than usual and work more hours than those agreed for the post, you should first take a good look at yourself, stopping to think about the training you have and the jobs it gives you access to. Don’t try to reach goals beyond your abilities, because there will surely be other candidates with better professional prospects than yours.
Research the company you are applying to and its business, so that during the job interview you can identify with the company’s mission and vision. Don’t get caught out at a job opportunity knowing nothing about the people who are giving you your first chance.
Image, presence and good manners matter in a job interview, so take care of the impression you make on the interviewer: bring an up-to-date CV, be punctual, don’t let your mobile interrupt, stay as calm as possible and, above all, be very clear about who you are and what your best skills are so you can put them on the table during the interview, explaining the reasoning behind your answers and, above all, being honest. Always remember that they may know more about you than you imagine.
Be interested, enthusiastic and involved in the job you are applying for, in the right measure. Don’t show too much interest: it can be counterproductive and out of keeping with your academic efforts and previous experience.
