Every single working person will have had periods when they are looking for a new job. This could be because they are out of work, or perhaps someone who is casually browsing for what could come next. What unites us all is that searching for jobs has changed a lot in the last 20 years or so.
There are certain things that we already know; it is now fairly rare to submit a paper application, which means that you will need to either attach your documents to an email or upload them to a web portal. Either way, make sure that you follow the instructions.
Other consequences of the shift to digital have been suggested in this article by Entrepreneur (the article is nearly two years old, but many of the suggestions still hold true):
- AI is an important part of the process, especially if you are applying to large organisations. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) to help sift applications; the onus is on you to use key words and phrases that match their requirements. This needn’t be as daunting as it sounds – the clues should be in the job advert and person specification, so ensure that you are using appropriate language in your application.
- Personal branding and online presence are vital. As a job seeker, it is safest to assume that a potential employer will stick your name into Google and see what comes up; so check your social media for anything that shouldn’t be there (including if other people have tagged you) and make sure your LinkedIn profile is current, if applicable.
- Values are important. Many job seekers (particularly Millennials and Gen Z) don’t just want a job, they want to know about the ethics and values of their employers. In the graduate job market, recruiters make lots of mention of the company vision, ethics and employee experience; applicants may check sources such as LinkedIn, social media and Glassdoor to see if this company matches their standards.
In addition to the above, the following may be worth considering if you are looking for work:
- Are you ready? This was meant to refer to your public profile on social media and LinkedIn, but as I was writing this I realised that it could just as easily refer to your situation – why are you looking for work, and are you ready for the changes that this job might bring? For many job seekers, they will have to adapt to a new environment, new working practices and many even move to a new location – have you considered whether you are ready for this?
- Working from home, or based in the workplace? This was something that was increasingly offered in many professional jobs, but the Covid pandemic made it a reality for many people in different types of work. In theory, most office-based jobs can be done with a laptop and headset, but as we are seeing, lots of employers would like their staff to be in the office, at least some of the time. Check whether remote working is offered in the new job, and have a think about how important this is to you.
- Job security. With the rise of the gig economy, and many people dabbling in freelance work during 2020 (in many cases whilst out of work or on furlough), it may be worth thinking about what is more important to you: short-term reward or longer-term job security? Freelance and self-employed work may offer higher pay, but you need to be prepared that you will not be working all year round. People on zero-hours contracts sometimes appreciate the flexibility, but there may be times that work is not available. On the other hand, jobs on permanent contracts may suffer from below-inflation pay rises, but at least you will have a secure income. What is your preference, and what are the options in your chosen line of work?
What are your thoughts and experiences? Remember that we have launched our new podcast, “What exactly do you do?” and over the next few weeks we will explore lots of different types of jobs, industries and working styles. Subscribe via Apple, Google Podcasts or Spotify, or visit our podcast page to listen to the latest episode.
[Cover photo by Greta Hoffman from Pexels]
Karuna CV 