Getting ahead in today’s job market is tough. Unemployment and underemployment remain high due to the economic downturn that began over ten years ago, and the job market is recovering slowly. There are more people looking for good jobs than there are good jobs available, so how can you make yourself stand out?

First, stop focusing so much on your college and GPA. While they might help you land a job interview, they’re not the only factors in your growth. Many jobs do require a college degree, but employers also want to see other qualities beyond just your education.

Soft skills are the most highly desirable skills sought out by most job recruiters.There has been an 83% increase in jobs requiring strong interpersonal skills- things like oral and written communication, leadership, and being a team player. In other words, it is much more important to your potential employer that you are able to work well with others than it is that you have a particular set of technical skills.

So how do you find the company that is the right fit for you? Making a great resume that stands out against the sea of resumes that are submitted for a given job is the first step, but even that won’t guarantee you’ll get the job. When you do find yourself in a job interview situation, try interviewing the interviewer. This will serve to show that you are thinking and communicating critically about the job as well as give you the opportunity to determine whether the job will be a good fit for YOU. Employers take notice of job candidates who aren’t just settling for the first job that comes their way.

Learn more about making yourself stand out in the job market from this infographic!

Infographic Courtesy of NoGRE