When it comes to job readiness, preparation and planning are evergreen. You don’t need to wait until you are in the middle of a job crisis to think about landing your next gig. As we all know, there are no guarantees in any job market. Whether in the middle of a robust economy or a downright recession, changes happen. Whether it is a change in the local market, layoffs or poor management- it is always pertinent to prepare. And in a tough economy, this rings even more true. Here are some helpful tips for landing a great job in a tough market (or any market for that matter!)

• Start rubbing shoulders with people in the industries you desire. Even when you are not on the lookout for a job at the time, you can help safeguard and prepare yourself for when you are ready. Get to know people who could help get your foot in the door to a position in your favored field. Look for professional groups, networking groups, or let the conversation naturally flow in your favorite hangout spots. You never know who you will meet and what opportunities may await. Don’t wait for circumstances to make you get out there. Be a natural networker and bring opportunities to you.
• Get an edge with your education. This doesn’t mean you need to bury yourself in student loan debt. Look for certificate programs at your local community colleges or state colleges. Or look for reputable online courses that may have some great insight to offer. Many community centers will even offer free seminars that you can attend. These can all be new places to network and meet other people with similar goals or needs that might match what you have to offer.
• Make it your full-time job to find work. If you are out of work currently, you should dedicate at least as much time to finding a job as you would to working one. Consistent, focused, effort and action lead to desired outcomes. If you are working now, but trying to find something else, flip your job search to become your side hustle. The time and effort will be worth it.
• Be open to opportunities that may not be at the exact position you were looking for. Sometimes just getting in the door at the desired company is more important than landing the perfect job. If there is mobility within the company, with hard work and results you can work your way to where you want to be. And sometimes, just getting experience in the desired field is enough to land you in a better position down the road in your industry, regardless of the title you held.

• If you are not confident in your resume writing abilities, get some professional help. You can find someone who can help you write your resume on sites like upwork or fiverr. A winning resume gives a great first impression may be the difference between getting that first interview and blending in with the rest of the stack.
• Role play and practice your interview skills. Search for the most common interview questions and practice nailing them in the mirror and with another person. When you walk into the interview feeling confident and prepared, it shows.
• Research the company before the interview and learn everything you can. Understand the company’s mission statement and philosophies and present the qualities you possess that match their mission. When you can naturally insert your knowledge of the company into your answers, it will show the interviewer that you cared enough to learn about the company. It goes a long way.

Above all, keep your head up and trust that the right opportunity will come along. At some point, landing the right job comes down to an element of luck mixed with hard work. Remember that things can improve in an instant. Don’t dwell on any rejections you may receive. Reflect on how you could have improved any part of the hiring process and use that knowledge going forward to land that next opportunity. Good luck and happy hunting!