Are You Prepared For The 'Specialist Economy'?

Research Examines Specialized Workforce Trend, Identifies Skills in Demand

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Jun 06, 2013, 04:51 ET

MENLO PARK, Calif., June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacks-of-all-trades, masters-of-none, beware: Companies increasingly require specialized talent, and professionals with niche skills in fast-growing fields are often receiving multiple job offers.

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A just-released downloadable white paper from Robert Half, The Specialist Economy: How Businesses and Professionals Can Prepare for the Trend Toward Specialization, highlights the increasing demand for workers in professions requiring both a college education and specialization in areas such as healthcare, accounting and finance, information technology, marketing, and law.

"Firms have a critical need for laser-focused professionals who can help them grow their most lucrative service areas and maximize efficiencies," said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International and author of Human Resources Kit For Dummies^®, 3^rd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). "Full-time and temporary workers with education and concentrated knowledge can help a company operate more efficiently and competitively — top priorities in today's business environment."

Messmer added, "Some professionals have specialized skills but fall short when it comes to marketing themselves. Emphasizing specialty areas in application materials and during interviews can help job candidates stand out from their peers."

Robert Half offers six tips to help job seekers succeed in the specialist economy:

Create a specialist resume. Your resume should highlight your unique specialty areas and interests. For example, if you're an accountant who has worked in the healthcare industry, emphasize not only your accounting skills but also your healthcare expertise. Add a "Summary" section that describes your specific attributes and experience.
Build a name for yourself online. Brand yourself as a specialist through professional networking and social media sites. Add keywords to your profile that reflect your specialization, and participate in groups in your areas of interest.
Know yourself. If you're just beginning your career, choose a niche that strongly interests you, and acquire additional skills and training in that area. A career focus that you are passionate about is more likely to lead to long-term success.
Acquire more education. The unemployment rate for professionals 25 years or older with a bachelor's degree or higher is roughly half that of the general unemployment rate. Depending on where you are in your career trajectory, consider completing a degree or certification in your field that you never finished — or never pursued.
Fish where the fish are. If you're in a competitive field, specialization is even more important to your career success. For example, if you're a marketing professional, specializing in a hot area such as cloud computing, mobile marketing or natural search can help you become more attractive to potential employers.
Work with a specialized staffing firm. A staffing company that specializes in your field can help you accurately highlight your strengths and specialty areas.

About Robert Half
Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. The Menlo Park, Calif.-based company has more than 345 staffing locations worldwide and offers online job search services on its divisional websites, all of which can be accessed at www.roberthalf.com. Follow Robert Half on Twitter at twitter.com/roberthalf, and gain insights on the latest hiring and salary trends at www.rhi.com/salaryguides.

SOURCE Robert Half