How to Get a High-Level Job in the New Labor Market

White-collar and well-paid jobs are more challenging to land in many sectors. Here’s why—and suggested strategies to adapt.

Despite many expectations and the Federal Reserve’s efforts to cool the economy, the job market has remained extremely strong. Yet, if you look under the hood, white-collar positions aren’t experiencing the growth of blue-collar jobs. Many companies are cautious about hiring for higher-paid positions.

Some qualified individuals find it hard to land a well-paying role despite having great resumes with significant experience. These job seekers need to adapt their search and market themselves more effectively.

Here’s a look at the state of the white-collar job market and tips on how to land a high-level position.

“A Tale of Two Job Markets”

The US added 353,000 nonfarm jobs in the January monthly numbers, nearly doubling economists’ projections of between 180,000 and 185,000. The unemployment rate remains at 3.7%, near historical lows. Wages also increased by 4.5% overall, “running ahead of the 3.0% to 3.5%” the Fed is looking for to tame inflation.

However, deeper analyses of previous recent numbers show “a tale of two job markets.” The growth in blue-collar and some industry-specific positions and their wages, such as construction, manufacturing, nursing, and service jobs, are significantly outpacing white-collar positions like IT ops, software development, marketing, and other “office jobs.”

The November numbers revealed that three sectors were responsible for “83% of the jobs created:” government, healthcare, and leisure. Individuals without a high school degree saw the strongest growth in available roles—5.7% in 2023 vs. 1.1% overall.

Added to this situation are growing worries about the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to replace white-collar jobs. In addition, many jobseekers report trouble landing a position, as fewer openings are advertised and responses to applications are hit or miss.

How can individuals stand out to land high-level positions?

The old online application submission method isn’t working well, and traditional networking is more challenging in many ways. Employees also need to make more money to keep up with inflation in an environment where they may have less leverage.

Despite these headwinds, there is still demand for quality people in high-level positions, especially in specific roles, sectors, and businesses. Finding a job relies on evolving and redoubling one’s efforts in a tried-and-true strategy: showing value to enough people.

There will always be a market for top talent, and employers will always pay a premium for it. So, the challenge for high-level jobseekers becomes differentiating themselves to be viewed as the prize. Individuals must look at themselves as a product that needs a marketing campaign, and simply compiling a good resume won’t cut it.

Here are some strategies:

Make yourself indispensable to your current employer if you have one.

Employers don’t always recognize the value of good employees and increase their compensation accordingly. However, many truly valuable workers gain leverage through their unique skills and outstanding performance. Make your presence felt; volunteer for work, serve on task forces, and make the extra effort.

Often, it’s not detailed worries about lost productivity and retraining costs that keep company leaders up at night; instead, it’s “How will I ever find someone who can do what that person does so well?”

Job security creates the potential for pay increases while providing leverage to land another, better-paid position. Don’t underestimate the benefits of delivering value, knowing this value, and the leverage gained through confidence.

Up your demonstrable skills.

Are you a subject-matter expert? Do you have unusual software skills or previous performance? Are you the person who is poised to help a company (and a specific role) take advantage of AI instead of getting replaced by it?

One fundamental hasn’t changed: success is skill-dependent. You cannot fake it. So, if you have a somewhat general professional job description, such as marketing or human resources manager, find ways to differentiate yourself with marketable skills or proof of performance. Focus on skills that are transferable to other settings.

Leadership is in high demand among most high-level positions, and something many individuals in different roles can improve and demonstrate. So, for example, becoming a mentor and joining organizations that facilitate these relationships may be a great way to upskill while networking.

Build your personal brand.

Think of yourself as a product to constantly be refreshed. Make yourself known in your field, industry, community, and neighborhood. Have people understand who you are. 

Be socially active. Write a blog. Serve on committees. Support charities. Create a website. Update your LinkedIn profile and post articles on the site (whether you entirely write them or not). Some individuals create industry-specific podcasts or even author books highlighting their expertise. 

Network in tandem with your personal ‘marketing’ and ‘public relations’ campaign.

Networking effectively presents challenges, even after life has returned to normal post-pandemic. Some people still haven’t completely worked out the rust on their social skills, though they’re needed more than ever.

Networking is even more essential in an environment of unanswered online applications, ghost jobs, and fake positions that don’t even exist. So, take every opportunity—and make some—to get in front of potential employers and referrers, online or off. Success really comes down to finding more and more ways to meet more and more people, getting the word out about your value.

Old methods of attending professional conferences and community networking events for professionals still apply and may have even more resonance now. However, connecting with others online in ways that show value has also taken on greater importance.

Finding ways to build relationships and increase one’s profile—especially when you aren’t obviously looking for a job—pays dividends when you are.

Get out there and stay adaptable!

Changes in the job market are always around the corner, eventually. We can’t say whether the balance may shift in favor of white-collar and high-level jobs, continue current trends, or suffer a general pullback.

AI could take a significant number of office jobs or unleash productivity among existing workers, as some proponents claim. And white-collar jobs might just be more sensitive to the Fed’s interest-rate moves.

Regardless, there will always be a market for the best people; proven individuals who can demonstrate their specific value. A jobseekers’ mandate is to earn and display this competence well.

Karp HR Solutions helps businesses master the mix of finance and human resources. Contact us today for a free consultation.