It’s a job seeker’s market. Low unemployment means that companies are scrambling to find the sales and marketing talent they need – and that both job-seekers and working professionals can seize opportunities that are otherwise scarce.

Here’s how to leverage the tight job market to improve your career standing:

1. Find your dream job.

Now is an excellent time for sales and marketing professionals to seek out a new job, pursue that promotion at your current job, or re-align your career path to better match your passions and goals.

Start by defining your dream job. Take some time to answer questions like:

• What problems do I want to solve?
• Where can I find a position that lets me solve those problems?
• What traits or elements help me thrive at work? Which gets in my way?

When you have a clear idea of what you want to do and how the surrounding culture can help or hinder you from doing it, you can more easily search for your ideal position – whether that’s with your current company or with a new employer.

2. Re-negotiate your pay.

If you’re already on the career track you desire, consider taking advantage of the tight job market to ask for a raise. To succeed, you’ll need to convince your boss that your contributions to the team and the company merit greater rewards.

Gather information that shows how your achievements contributed to the team’s goals and the company’s bottom line. Whenever possible, use quantifiable data, laying out in hard numbers exactly what value you bring to the team.

If you’re looking for a new job, gather data on salaries in your industry. Be prepared for pay negotiations with the same information about the achievements you’ve reached and the results for your previous employer’s bottom line.

3. Gain an ally.

In a tight job market, some sales and marketing professionals find that recruiters reach out to them first. Whether or not you’ve been contacted by a staffing firm, consider building a relationship with a recruiter who specializes in placing sales and marketing talent in your preferred industries. Your recruiter can help you expand your network and seize opportunities as they appear.

At SMR Group, our recruiters connect passionate sales and marketing professionals to some of the best companies and career opportunities in the biotech, medical device, and pharmaceutical industries. To learn more, contact us today.