If you are over a certain age, you might remember a time when looking for a new job involved searching the classified ads in your local paper and mailing your resume to a physical address—then waiting for acknowledgment in the form of a phone call or letter. Well, we don’t need to tell you that a lot has changed since then.
Technology has completely transformed the way we search for and apply to jobs. So, if you haven’t had to seek out a new position in the last few decades, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the current landscape before you start applying.
Here are the top four keys to a successful job search in today’s market:
Technology has completely transformed the way we search for and apply to jobs. So, if you haven’t had to seek out a new position in the last few decades, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the current landscape before you start applying.
Here are the top four keys to a successful job search in today’s market:
- 1. Online job search platforms have become key resources for job seekers and recruiters alike. TheLadders.com, Indeed.com, Monster.com, Linkedin.com, CareerBuilder.com, ZipRecruiter.com, GlassDoor.com, and FlexJobs.com are most popular for general job searching, and many industries also have specialized websites where they offer members-only job searching and recruiting functions. On the recruiting side, these same online platforms — especially LinkedIn — are used to identify candidates who might be interested in current or upcoming job openings. That’s why it’s important to create and maintain an effective, eye-catching LinkedIn profile.
- 2. Attention to detail is very important when it comes to your resume, now more than ever. Most companies and hiring managers are looking for job candidates to demonstrate the value they will bring to the company. Depending on the current economic condition and unemployment rates, job seekers could find themselves in a very competitive environment. Showcasing your achievements with specific details in an eloquent-yet-concise format will be essential to catching the attention of your next boss. For more specific resume-writing tips, check out our industry pages.
- 3. Key words and SEO optimization are the most important changes to become familiar with to navigate the digital recruiting environment. Though you might get the rare opportunity to email your resume directly to a hiring manager, it’s much more likely that you will be asked to upload the file to an online job search platform or the company’s own recruiting page. In those more common cases, a computer will read your resume before any human being lays eyes on it. Making sure that you have the right words embedded throughout your resume will be imperative to getting through the first round of cuts. And, when your resume makes it to a hiring manager’s inbox, you will want those key words and phrases to jump off the page at them.
- 4. Effective resume formatting is key to catching the attention of recruiters as they skim through dozens — sometimes even hundreds — of applicants at a time. First impressions are important, so make sure that you provide an easy-to-read document with the most relevant information front and center. Not sure what to include, or how to present your work history? Schedule a free consultation with one of our expert resume writers to learn more.
By Julia Randall, StandOut Resumes
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