Wanna step up in your job search and land a wonderful opportunity? Just like how dating is becoming more innovative, meet your perfect match for your career scene by using technology!
You can’t rely on traditional methods alone anymore. Human resources managers upgraded their sorting processes, so as a jobseeker, you would need to upgrade yours to prevent getting behind.
The United Nations Observance establish 2023’s theme for International Women’s Day, which is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. It recognises and celebrates the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology. Technology—such a word might feel intimidating, and you’d back down saying you’re not a tech savvy person. Don’t fret, because we’ll give you quick and easy tips that will allow you to create a solid job hunt strategy.
Make sure your CV is mobile friendly
Jobseekers can now apply for jobs whenever and wherever they want, thanks to technology. If you have a mobile-friendly resume, you may email it to recruiters while you're out and about or quickly build a profile for a job site. This allows you to apply for jobs as soon as they become available without having to go home to your computer.
Create an online presence/portfolio using Social Media
First impression counts. Not only on first dates, but on job applications as well! Create a LinkedIn profile and complete your profile if you don't already have one. LinkedIn is used by 90% of recruiters to locate and evaluate applicants! In addition to spreading your name, having an internet presence establishes credibility. Make sure to link your website or blog that showcases your talents and skills. In certain cases, having a strong online presence can demonstrate your enthusiasm and passion in a particular line of work more effectively than years of expertise. You can attach your Facebook, Instagram, TikTok page, or Youtube channel.
Ask for referrals
If you followed the previous pointer and created a LinkedIn profile, here’s another way to boost yourself. Find out whether you know anyone who works at your targeted company when you come across a job offer you’re really interested in.
Women are 26% less likely to ask for a referral even when they have a connection to someone at the company (Yuon, 2019). Female jobseekers, we gotta start taking advantage of this advice now.
Find the people, not the job
Doing a people search rather than a job search can be even more effective because many companies base their hiring decisions on referrals. A connection may be able to refer someone if there is a direct link at the company and pass along a CV. How is people search done?
You may create a list of employers, find a connection, and if there is none, try to create a connection…you don't want to be labeled as borderline stalker-ish or a user. It has to be a genuine, professional connection. The goal is to increase your chances of finding a job.
Search Effectively
A search engine is a fantastic tool for your job hunt, but it's crucial to use it properly. It's important to look in the right places and to carefully consider your options. The more places you look, the more opportunities can be presented to you. However, this doesn’t mean you should apply to everything you find. Search widely and only apply to the jobs that really speak to you.
What are the tricks to searching effectively?
Try switching up the order of the words you are searching for or use quote marks to adjust the preciseness of your search. For example, you can try typing in “Human Resources Specialist” and “Specialist in Human Resources”
Visit job boards. Great places to start your job search include Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, and ZipRecruiter
Check Company Websites. Their job postings page may be labeled “Careers”, “Employment” or “Work With Us”. Apply directly or look for contact information where you can submit your CV the company to express your interest in working for it.
Company websites commonly have an ‘About Us’ page, as well. On the ‘About Us’ page, you can learn about the company values and other helpful information that you can use to craft your cover letter and even refer back to in an interview.
We’re just putting it out here right now, but remember: You don’t have to be a 100% match. Don't be scared to apply for jobs even if you don't have 100% of the desired skills/experience! In many cases, job descriptions are a company's wish list, but if you satisfy the majority of the criteria, they might still take you into consideration. If you don't meet all the employment requirements, having a passion for the field you're seeking for a job can still go a long way.
Research shows that women apply to jobs only when they feel they meet 100% of the criteria, while men usually apply after meeting about 60%, according to a LinkedIn Gender Insights Report. We women should take the chances presented to us. As Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Use Email Alerts and Subscribe to Useful Newsletters
You may set up email alerts to notify you whenever you receive an email from a certain company about a job or any other correspondence you want to keep track of. You can also create and label folders to keep all the alerts you have subscribed to in one place. Company blogs are a terrific way to stay on top of what the organisation is doing and if they are hosting events in the fields you are interested in too!
Create a spreadsheet
Your job search strategy may change vastly after getting a job search tracker. You can utilise Excel or Google Sheets to support your organisation. When applying for multiple jobs at once, this will especially assist you to recall what you've applied for. Hence, if you receive a callback, you'll have all the pertinent information at hand (salary, location, job description, etc). Also, being prepared with your job search will help you know when and how to follow up on applications.
Write a new application or cover letter for each position
Blanket, generic applications might be convenient; however, you don’t want to present yourself as just another generic applicant, but as a candidate who fits that specific role like a glove. The key is to make your recruiters feel special. Would you like to meet someone who uses the same pick-up line during dates? Cringe.
Demonstrate or mention how you match their listed skills and qualifications in the job posting. Incorporate keywords from their job description into your resume in a natural way.
Every bullet point on your resume should be relevant to the job you’re applying for. Remove any that aren’t relevant to the job. Besides your CV, a customised cover letter is another opportunity to stand out and explain your experience.
Create a Modern Type of CV, such as Video Resume
As technology has advanced, so too has the interview process for many companies. A new CV format that is in line with the growing popularity of video interviews may give you a competitive edge. Use multimedia to demonstrate interest as a candidate and effectively represent their unique brand. Making your application interactive allows potential employers to learn more about your personality and characteristics than they might from a conventional paper CV.
Not many people do one, but if done well, it can be used to deliver a story-like formatted resume. Do not worry if you are shy in front of the camera or feel uneasy during the process. Your opportunity to shine may be when you connect over the phone or in person
Combine a traditional and modern approach on Social Media
In today's business environment, social media knowledge and networking are essential, but traditional methods and efforts are also valued. A successful job search doesn't just require you to use one or the other. To start meeting people, go to meet-ups, workshops, and other networking activities. Job vacancies that aren't even yet online may be referred to you via networking.
With the help of technology, job searching is a lot easier than 20 years ago. But the crucial part is to plan how to use technology for a successful job search. You'll feel more organised and in charge of the process and as a result, you'll also be able to create better outcomes.
Happy job searching!
Fempire Finance