With unemployment at an all-time low and labor shortages in certain sectors, what’s a job seeker to do nowadays?

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development recently released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics preliminary employment estimates for the month of May, which showed Wisconsin’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed at the record-low rate of 2.4%.

Meanwhile, state legislators introduced a proposed piece of legislation that would allow teens in Wisconsin as young as 14 years old to serve alcohol to customers at tables. Currently, people who work in bars and restaurants need to be at least 18 years old to serve alcohol. The bill’s authors state lowering the age would help alleviate the current labor shortage.

We reached out to Chippewa Valley experts to compile a list of top 10 tips for job hunters in 2023. Here’s what we learned:

1. MINDSET & SELF-CARE.     

A mindset of confidence and genuine positivity is critical. Eating right, staying hydrated, getting the exercise and shut-eye your body requires is key, along with being with people who bring you joy or finding things to do that make you happy. Laughing’s good.

2. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT – AND BE ORGANIZED.     

“Know what you want. It will help not to be labeled as a job hopper. While being on unemployment right now may seem OK, it doesn’t look great in the big picture.” –Stephanie May, skilled manufacturing recruiter, SEEK Careers/Staffing

“Think about what you want in a career: pay, location, hours, purpose. Start looking for employment opportunities or connecting with employers who meet that criteria. Being organized and prepared can make the job searching much less stressful! Having a tailored résumé, cover letter, and references ready to submit is extremely important, along with keeping detailed notes of each position and company you are applying to.” –Carlee Norby, career services specialist, Chippewa Valley Technical College

“Stay organized in your search, including keeping track of positions you applied to (and which documents you sent them), people you networked with (including contact info and conversation notes), positions you interviewed for, and sourcing new opportunities.” –Bryan Barts, director of Career Services at UW-Stout

3. BE RESOURCEFUL.    

One of your first stops might be the Job Center of Wisconsin, your public library, or your school’s Career Services Center which have access to hundreds of resources plus specially trained career counselors. Also, be sure to check out recruiting agencies, and partner with a recruiter to help you find your dream career.

Many resources are online. The Job Center of Wisconsin, for example, offers virtual workshops (dwd.wisconsin.gov/det/workshops/virtual.htm), while the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire offers free financial education through LinkedIn Learning.

“Oftentimes, people spend upwards of 40 hours a week looking for their next career and interviewing with several different companies before they find the right fit. With an agency like SEEK Careers/Staffing you have the chance to interview with one qualified Talent Specialist who will serve as your advocate to help you find the right job and fit for you.” –Travis Johnson, district manager, SEEK Careers/Staffing

 4. USE TECH AND SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT BE SMART ABOUT IT.

“Set up voice mail, and clear out your messages. If you are actively job searching, and serious about obtaining new or better employment, make sure to have all lines of communication open. Active, functioning email address, phone number, voice mail, texting capabilities, etc.” –Emily Williams, former customer service representative, SEEK Careers/Staffing 

“Make sure your online persona is accurate, up-to-date, and that you are active using the resource.” –Bryan Barts, director of career services at UW-Stout

“Beware social media platforms as they can send red flags depending on your posts or what you are tagged in.” –Carlee Norby, career services specialist, CVTC

“Recent graduates are searching for jobs using LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, and Handshake, a career management system used by universities and technical colleges. … Job seekers should be prepared for virtual interviews using Zoom and in-person requiring masks and physical distancing, as well as a combination of a screening interview via Zoom and an in-person final interview.” –Staci Heidtke, director, Career Services, UW-Eau Claire

5. CUSTOMIZE WITH KEY WORDS.

“Target your résumé and cover letter to specific companies. Make changes to these application materials based on the organization and the position you are applying for.” –Staci Heidtke, director, Career Services, UW-Eau Claire

According to a recent article on Money.com, companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to pore through résumés. The ATS scans for keywords applicable to the job. About 75% of candidates are taken out of consideration before a human even sees a résumé. Make your résumé and application match the job’s criteria, and be able to back it up with skills and experience.

“It’s no secret that there are far more open positions than there are applicants. This is great for someone who is job searching.”

6. APPLY EVEN IF YOU DON’T MEET EVERY QUALIFICATION, AND DON’T SETTLE.

Don’t meet every single qualification? Still apply.

Nowadays, on-the-job apprenticeships that offer a paying job with training plus education are being offered. CVTC currently offers 17 apprenticeship opportunities in fields ranging from IT: data analyst, service desk, and software developer and early childhood educator to blue collar jobs such as welder, tool & die maker, plumber, mold maker, and electrician, among others (see www.cvtc.edu/academics/
apprenticeships).

“It’s no secret that there are far more open positions than there are applicants. This is great for someone who is job searching. You have the chance to pick and choose: Find a job closer to home, a nicer shift or schedule, higher pay, better benefits, a flexible schedule, in a different industry, easier on your body physically or just all around better for you and your family.” –Stephanie May, skilled manufacturing recruiter, SEEK Careers/Staffing

7. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK.

“You’ve heard that who you know is just as important as what you know. Building positive connections will open new opportunities to take advantage of.” –Carlee Norby, career services specialist, CVTC

“Over 70% of today’s jobs are in the ‘hidden job market’ and are not advertised as posted positions.” –Staci Heidtke, director, Career Services, UW-Eau Claire

8. DON’T BE AFRAID TO FOLLOW UP.    

“Do follow-up by calling the employer to find out the status of your application … typically one week after applying. State who you are, what position you applied for, and ask for your status. Employers may still be collecting applications, pull yours to the top of the pile, or they may say come in for an interview or not.”  –Carlee Norby, career services specialist, CVTC

9. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE INTERVIEWING.     

With the many forms interviews can take – phone, Zoom, Facebook, online, and face-to-face – practice to make a good impression. And if you get an opportunity to interview, take it to get the experience. Each opportunity to go over interview questions or in a different scenario will give you confidence.

10. FINALLY, BE PERSISTENT!

Never give up. Never quit. Persist!