Are you wondering how to master the art of job hunting in a digital age? If the last time you needed to apply for a job was when emailing your CV was in its infancy, then the modern recruitment methods might seem a little bit confusing and slightly terrifying. But with the average person having around 12 jobs in their lifetime, sadly, most people will need to navigate the modern job market at some point.
This post looks at tips and strategies for maximizing your next job search and making sure your application doesn’t languish at the bottom of the digital trash can.
A Modern Resume
Did you know that employers prefer to access your resume at the click of a mouse these days? Postal applications or handing your application in directly to the front desk are pretty much obsolete, and while they can still be worthwhile methods for small businesses, chances are most employers will have switched to more modern forms of collecting and sorting applications and CVs.
Your resume must be optimized for ATS (Applicant Tracking System). A well-crafted ats resume means that you can ensure your resume passes through the system and is designated to the appropriate place to continue with your hiring journey. This involves using industry-relevant keywords, ensuring your layout is conformed to meet its parameters, and using recognized headings at a minimum. With more companies using this technology to sort applications, you need to be confident yours passes the test to give you the best chance of success.
Sign Up To Job Sites
You need to have your optimized resume listed on the relevant job sites and boards for your industry and have notifications turned on. Complete your profile thoroughly and ensure that you are set to find and be found for relevant openings. Doing so can mean recruiters can find you quickly enough, and then you are ready to go should a new listing catch your attention.
Be warned, this is a highly competitive sector, and with most people finding new jobs this way, it can be worthwhile looking for niche boards over general job sites such as Indeed or ZipRecruiter to help you narrow down your search and increase your chances of success.
Social Media
It pays to follow the social media accounts of companies you are interested in working for. More often than not, vacancies will be posted via LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter to reach people. If you are following them and have notifications returned, you can instantly be notified of any openings posted. It lets you get on board quickly before getting lost in a sea of digital CVs.
Referral
Many companies offer referral-based hires, meaning that if you know someone within the company already, finding the application option that allows you to share who you know or who has referred you can give you a boost when it comes to hiring relevant applicants. Of course, you still need to be suitable for the job role advertised, but if you meet the criteria, a referral is often a great way to get a foot in the door.
Google Yourself
Don’t be naive in thinking that there isn’t much online about you or that your potential employers won’t find out about that thing you posted back on Twitter in 2007. Your digital history and footprint aren’t easily erased, and once something goes online, it is there to stay. Even non-digital information will have been uploaded to allow people to find you. So do yourself a favor and Google yourself to see what comes up. Not only will you have an idea of what recruiters might see, but you can also be prepared to answer any tricky questions or identify what is causing you to be overlooked.
Virtual Interviews
Virtual interviews are quickly becoming the norm in recruitment, and with more remote working options or people applying for out-of-state jobs, hiring managers need a way to quickly eliminate people from the lineup or select those who fit the description more in person than just on paper.
You should always be prepared for the fact that you will need to take a virtual interview, so practicing beforehand can be beneficial. Firstly, get comfortable talking in front of a camera and practice speaking and addressing any behaviors you might have on screen, such as not looking directly at the camera or fidgeting a lot.
From here, you can look at the technical aspects of video interviews, such as how to set it up, improve your audio and visual quality, and more. Play around with finding a nice clear space in your home or current location to take the call; you want a clear white background with few distractions (children, housemates, traffic, deliveries, etc.), avoid shadows from overhead lighting, and ensure that your whole face can be seen clearly.
Track and Follow-Up
The recruitment industry is fierce, so you need to be proactive in ensuring you know precisely what job roles you are applying for, record any feedback you get, and monitor your progress. Did you make it to video interviews but not in person? Did you make it through the final stage but failed at the last hurdle? Tracking your stats can allow you to identify patterns or behaviors you need to recognize to give yourself a better chance of success. Don’t be afraid to follow up to see if you can find out how your application was received and get any information that can help you in the future. All constructive feedback should be taken on board and used to help you improve any areas you lack or tweak your applications to get better results.
Job searching in a modern world isn’t easy, but putting in the prep work to give yourself the best possible chance of success can help you to get a good head start and not be left out in the cold. Take your time, get it right, and understand the implications and intricacies of modern job applications before starting your journey.
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