The workforce has seen a flood of talent during 2020 and into 2021 as the pandemic drove huge numbers of layoffs, furloughs, and business closures. There are still industries experiencing a massive need for talent, but with the market saturation, the competition for those open jobs is fierce. These are 3 industries where talent competition is aggressive, and how to gain an advantage over other applicants. 

Healthcare – RNs 

You’ve probably heard repeatedly that there is a shortage of nurses, so why is it so hard to get a nursing job? While it is true that the need for nurses will only increase in the coming years, and the average age of employed nurses is 47, those facts tell only part of the story.  

In reality: the need for RNs varies substantially by location, the required education is rapidly shifting from an Associate's degree to a BSN, and the industries that need nurses the most may not be in a hospital or clinic, but rather home health care, residential care facilities, or outpatient care. 

How to get ahead: 

• Consider further education 
  If you’re a brand-new nursing graduate with an Associate’s degree and are having a tough time finding a job, consider getting your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree. While it may not always be possible, and the thought of more school can be nauseating, the “National Student Nurses Association recognizes that newgradsnew grads with Associates degrees are having the most difficult time of all new-grads to land their first job”.  

• Get experience now for the job you want later 
  It might feel disappointing to not get your dream job right away, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach forever. Consider taking another, less-dreamy position now to gain valuable experience that you can leverage in a year or two to top the competition for the job you REALLY want. Often in healthcare, real-world experience is valued highly over education with no experience.  

• Relocate 
  If you live in an area where there is just not as much demand for nursing staff, the competition for available positions is going to be very aggressive. If relocating to a less-saturated area is possible, give it some consideration.  

The market for nursing jobs is tough – especially if you live in an area already saturated with experienced nurses. But there are still tons of nursing jobs available around the US, you just have to look for them where they are: often not in hospitals and possibly not where you currently live. 

 
Technology – Software Developers 

The culture of tech companies has a reputation for being cutthroat, fast-paced, and requiring a dogged work ethic.  

Like nursing, competition among software developers for open jobs can be extremely competitive, especially for senior positions. Among the big tech firms (Amazon, Google, Salesforce, etc.), not only is it difficult to get a position in the first place, but you can expect to work long days and weekends to advance in the company. These companies receive so many hundreds of applications for their open positions that they can really be as picky as they want in choosing who to interview and ultimately hire. 

Perhaps luckily, tech jobs like software developer are often easily done remotely, so location is rarely an issue.  

How to get ahead: 

• Participate in coding competitions 
  Per Hired.com: “if you’re looking to stand out at work among your peers, or seeking an edge against the competition in job interviews, one important avenue you should consider is competitive programming.” These competitions can hone your skills, making you a faster and more accurate developer, as well as provide valuable networking opportunities. 

• Practice interviewing with a mentor 
  Having a mentor in your industry can be helpful for a multitude of reasons, but chief among them is that they can help you get really, really good at interviewing. While much of the interview may be technical, there will still be a communicative portion, and acing this bit can help you stand out from other candidates.  

• Increase your knowledge base 
  This advice isn’t limited to just software developers, or even those in the tech industry. The more you know, the greater an asset you are to your employer. Use caution though, as sometimes formal credentials can increase your salary base to the point that you edge yourself out of some positions. 

Developers face some stiff competition, but it’s still a rapidly expanding job market and is expected to continuing growing for the foreseeable future, leading to more and more opportunities each year.  

Marketing/Design- Creative Director 

Careers in the arts are notorious for staying scarce. Generally, there are many qualified applicants and few open positions for entry level roles, and openings become fewer the higher up the corporate ladder you travel. However, there are a few actions you can take to stand out as a candidate in this competitive field.  

How to get ahead: 

• Network 
  Yes, broken record alert, but it can’t be overstated. Meeting new people and developing relationships or even acquaintanceships with them is often the most direct way to get a new job. Knowing someone gets you a foot in the door, potentially before the position has even been posted.  

• Develop a strong portfolio 
  In creative roles you will be judged on the capabilities you have proven previously, in your past work. It’s extremely important to have a very robust portfolio of your best creations and consider including some testimonials in it as well. The way you design your portfolio is up to you – but it needs to be striking and fit within the industry to which you are applying.  

• Learn additional skills 
  Knowing design won’t get you all the way there. Employers are looking for well-rounded candidates that can bring more to the team. Think digital marketing skills, leadership, some light coding or web development, etc.  

Creative Directors are an integral part of any leadership team; they help decide what image the brand is going to put forward, and in today’s scrutinizing market, that has never been more important. It’s a tough job to get, but a robust portfolio and a strong set of skills, combined with a strong network, will get you a head start. 

Finding a new job is hard – and these roles and industries are some of the most competitive out there. It’s important to keep the big picture in mind, build out your network in a strategic way, and develop the skills that show employers you are ready to go the extra mile.  

For more resources, check out our top blog posts on the interview process. Or, if you are struggling to find candidates for your open positions, reach out to our team today.  

By Jessica Palmer