Even with the dip of the pandemic in 2020, Utah’s job market is bouncing back stronger than ever. According to Utah.gov, Salt Lake County had the lowest unemployment rate in November 2021 than any other month this year.

That’s not to say there aren’t jobs out there, though. Go on any job-hunting website and you’ll find thousands of employers looking for dedicated employees. As the world—and Utah—shifts into a post-pandemic economy, there will be some things to consider as you look for a job.

Here are some important things to know during your job search in 2022.

Have realistic expectations

As Utah continues to live up to the Silicon Slopes nickname, you’ll find more tech jobs available. However, it’s important to consider the new remote working aspect of these types of positions. This opens the door for out-of-state hires, as anyone can work from any place as long as they have an internet connection. Bottom line: be prepared for a little more competition.

Even though tech jobs might be competitive, there are still plenty of other industries hiring in droves for high-paying positions.

Online learning companies, grocery stores and grocery delivery services, remote communication services, childcare companies and some medical research and biotechnology companies have also reported the need for more workers.

You’ll want to consider what you value most in a job—whether that’s an in-person work environment, feeling fulfilled in your career, compensation or work-life balance.

Use online hiring sites

The age of going door-to-door picking up paper applications is a thing of the past. The initial stages of most hiring processes now happen entirely online. Popular hiring sites where you can go to input a search term for your desired job, create a profile and upload your resume include Indeed, Monster, Glassdoor, FlexJobs, Scouted and Snagajob, to name a few.

Another option is to go directly to the website of the company you want to work for and look for a link to their careers or hiring page. If a method for job application isn’t immediately obvious, you can always contact the company directly to find out if they’re hiring.

Fill your resume with relevant keywords

When hiring managers go on a job site to look for qualified job seekers, they will use a bot or a search engine to weed out resumes lacking the qualities they’re looking for. Filling your resume with keywords that clearly and in detail describe the skills and training you have will place you higher up the list of potential applicants they will contact.

Indeed.com suggests looking up job postings that are similar to the position you’re interested in and using the keywords they list that they’re looking for in an applicant. Pay special attention to the qualifications and responsibilities sections. If your experience and training fit those descriptions, be sure to use the keywords from the job posting in your resume.

It also helps to scan the company’s website and find any important keywords or phrases that can bolster your resume or application.

If you’re applying directly to a particular job, you should customize your resume and cover letter, if applicable, for that specific job.

Use social media to your advantage

Networking through social media sites is a new and growing trend for landing a job. If you haven’t given much thought to your LinkedIn presence lately, now would be a good time to update your profile, add links to your past projects or an online portfolio, add all the skills you have (whether they seem relevant to the job you want or not) and reach out to past employers, co-workers, roommates and anyone else you can connect with.

At the same time, be aware of what kind of social media presence you have on other sites, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Because your future employer might not be able to meet you in person, they might find out what they can about you online.

Having a professional profile picture or cover photo can help make a good first impression. If your profile is public, what you post or share on your social media page may impact a hiring manager’s impression of you, as well.

Learn how to perform well in a remote interview

Interviewing from home is a little different from being in the office with the person interviewing you. Making eye contact, for instance, means looking into the webcam, rather than directly into your interviewer’s eyes. The location where you set up your webcam for your interview will make a difference, too.

It’s important to avoid busy areas where there might be distracting noise or a cluttered background. You’ll also need a reliable, fast internet connection so your interview can stream smoothly. Nothing is more frustrating than a poor internet connection when you’re trying to convince a potential employer of your dependability.

Though your interviewer won’t be able to see your whole body, you should still think about dressing the part from head to toe, just in case you have to stand up during the interview and to put you into a more professional mindset. Making good use of your facial expressions and hand motions will also help you feel and look more engaged in the interview, proving to the interviewer your sincere interest in the job.

Current job openings in Utah

BioFire Defense is currently hiring for many positions with a variety of skillsets. For more information about these positions or to apply, visit biofiredefense.com.

Looking for a new job? Make sure you do these 5 things