The recession seems to be causing global financial stress.  Times are tough, and most people are simply trying to "hang in there". For many, having a job is enough - no time to worry about how you will get the job you want. They are simply "riding out the storm". All the more reason why you need to be able to improve your chances of landing the next job you apply for. You do want that job, don't you?

You need to gain a competitive advantage over the next applicant applying for the same job. It does not mean that you need to be better qualified. It does not require that you need to have more extensive experience. It does, however, mean that you have to present, and communicate your capabilities better than the next applicant. Remember, it's all in the presentation - your probabilities of getting the job depends on the prospective employer's perception of you as a person, and your capabilities.

At one stage, getting a job was all about the qualifications you possessed. However, employers eventually realized that qualifications do not always automatically translate into capabilities. Qualifications do not guarantee that the job will be done, or that you have the required capacity for the job. Capabilities, on the other hand, speak for themselves.

All of us collect capabilities, or skills,  throughout our careers. Most of these acquisitions come naturally, going unnoticed, and we fail to realize their potential value. We forget that previous employers have been willing to spend money on us to apply these skills, and that they could be of value something to someone else. These are skills that you can be use as leverage to get the job you want - and beat the recession.

A good starting point is to track back on all the jobs you had over time, making notes as you go along. Note the different tasks you were expected to perform, and the skills they required. You are likely to end up with a rather long list, depending on your working experience. All that you have to do now is to figure out which of these would be of monetary value to your prospective employer, and ensure that you communicate these skills clearly in your cover letter.

Most people make the mistake of not clearly communicating all of their acquired skills. Since your qualifications by themselves do not provide you with a set of skills, this is the opportunity you have to set yourself apart from the rest of the applicants on the list. Remember: You do not have to be better than the next applicant. You simply have to prove yourself more suitable for the job.

Keep in mind that the recruiting officer may have been sifting through hundreds of application forms. By the time yours comes along, it may be late, and the person may just be dragging along until quitting time. If yours is at the bottom of the pile, he/she may simply toss it aside if your potential value does not come across clearly. Get the message across.

Now go beat the recession. Get the job you want. You can.