Technology and Job Searching

4 Ways Technology has Changed the Job Search

It’s 1995 and the internet is still a budding force in our lives, kind of like the second cousin we only see during Christmas. Now flash forward to 2015 and the internet is now more akin to oxygen, without it we would be very hard pressed to survive.

Changes in technology seep in to every corner of our lives whether it is welcome or not and searching for a job is no exception. If you as a professional don’t stay up to date on the new standard it will put you at a disadvantage when it comes to finding employment.

1. A social media presence is a must.

At the bare minimum any job seeker should have a LinkedIn account, this will serve as a resume, reference letter, and pre-screen interview all rolled into one. Social media is a cost effective way to gauge what type of employee you will be within their organization. A lack of social media presence can signal a lack of initiative to adopt new practices or that there is something you want to hide.

2. What do others have to say about you?

One of the largest expenses for any organization is hiring a new employee only to have them not be a good fit for the position (whether that is the scope of responsibilities or the company culture). They then have to hire ANOTHER person to once again fill that position. In order to protect the bottom line it is increasingly important to get third party recommendations. Again Linkedin is a huge player in this, former employees and contacts can endorse the skills you have or even write a recommendation that is at the fingertips of a recruiter or hiring manager.

3. Formatting your resume for the screen

Resumes are rarely viewed on paper anymore and it is important to make sure that it presents well on screen. When emailing a resume ensure that the proper format (PDF) is used so when it is opened there is no question as to what will appear. Sending a word document will leave the formatting up to interpretation from the software used to view it, which usually leads to numbers and dates popping up in the wrong section.

4. Employers only care about their wants

Through your social media profiles, resume, and interview you HAVE to build value in the skills you have and what benefits will your potential employer see. These can be positive personality traits such as your ability to create relationships with various types of personalities or the fact that you consistently meet and exceed expectations, it is YOUR responsibility to connect the dots for the interviewer.

Technology has vastly improved our resources and ability to create new relationships but it has also changed the playing field for so many things. Take time to make sure you are living up to the new standard and ensure your future success.