It’s no surprise that finding a job in 2018 means leveraging all the technology we have at our fingertips to enhance our search. To better your chances of landing the job of your dreams, you’ll want to know how to use data, social media and voice technology to optimize your search. And there are some good old-fashioned ways that are still helpful in finding you a new job – like networking and referrals.
To learn more about how to find a job in 2018, read on. These job-searching trends will have you heading down your new career path shortly.
Build a digital resume and/or portfolio
A personal website is a good idea for any job seeker. It’s easy to share with others and you have the chance to showcase everything you want a potential employer to know with one click. It becomes imperative for technology roles and creative positions. Techies can showcase their abilities through the build of the website, and creatives can link to all their best published works online. But if a job application calls for a cover letter and resume, don’t just send the link to your digital resume or portfolio. You’ll still want to customize what you submit via email or online to the job to which you are applying. Use your personal website as a foundation of information for the recruiter to reference.
Highlight your skills
Most people are focused on position titles when searching for a job. But work is changing so rapidly that you should try to make connections with your skills instead. For similar jobs, titles may be different from company to company. Additionally, you may bring a skillset that’s not typical for a certain role that could be helpful in performing that job. If you pitch it properly and show the employer a connection, you’ll have a good shot at landing an interview. Prospective employers want to know what you’re capable of, not necessarily what your last business card stated. But don’t just copy and paste the skills needed from the job description in your cover letter or resume. Describe how you’ve leveraged those skills in previous work and be ready to elaborate with specific examples during the interview.
Clean up your social media profiles
Recruiters are all over social media seeking out candidates for their open positions. So, at the very least, you need to be present on the platforms they are using, like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Snapchat. Only join those that you plan to upkeep though – because a profile that’s gone dark will not propel recruiters to contact you. According to a recent CareerBuilder survey, 70 percent of employers use social media to screen candidates and 57 percent are less likely to interview a candidate they can’t find online. What’s most important about the social media presence you have is that you appear professional. The CareerBuilder survey revealed 54 percent of employers have decided not to hire candidates based on their social media activity. So, while you want your social media profiles to reflect your true self, cull through them (and go as far back as when you started your account). Remove any content that may be deemed inappropriate or no longer accurately represents who you are.
Spend time networking
A recent poll found that up to 85 percent of those employed claim networking has aided them in landing a job. So, get comfortable getting out there – and speaking up. Most candidates take to the Internet and search published job postings as their first method of looking for a job. But your time may be better spent mentioning to family, friends and acquaintances that you’re interested in a new career and attending professional association and social mixer events. The idea here is to not be afraid to talk about your interest in new professional opportunities. It’s worth mentioning to your neighbor, fellow parishioners, past colleagues, workout buddies and fellow alumni. And make an effort to get out in the community and go to events that you may not usually attend. You’ll meet new people and broaden your network.
Try voice searches
Smart speakers are gaining new capabilities every day, and there are already several job search tools you can leverage on your Amazon Echo, Google Home and Apple HomePod. In the case of Echo, enable the skill in your app and ask away: “Alexa, find me a job.” You can search for specific job titles and locations, and some apps even allow you to apply via voice if your information is already saved to on the online platform.
Don’t overlook the data – use it
We have a glut of information about job searching. Do a Google search of job-seeking tips and you’ll get more than 3 million results. You may be surprised to learn that Tuesdays are the most popular day companies post job openings (so make this the day you check the job boards), according to research from SmartRecruiters. It’s also the most popular day for candidates to apply and the most popular day to get hired. A study from TalentWorks also showed the earlier in the day, the better. You’re five times more likely to get a job interview if you submit your application before 10 a.m., and your chances decrease by 10 percent every half hour. So, spend time prepping your cover letters and resumes the night before and send them out in the morning. Not to say you shouldn’t apply if the job posting is more than a week old, but SmartRecruiters also found that 60 percent of applicants apply within the first week the job is posted. This is probably when the recruiter is most actively screening applications, so try not to procrastinate when you see something that interests you. Use these statistics to optimize your job search and increase your chances of making it to the next stage in the hiring process.
When it comes to searching for a job in 2018, the amount of information you have access to may be overwhelming. But these job-hunting tips will have you focused on what will get you the best results. Leverage technology as you can, but don’t disregard the old standbys. A balance will gain you the most exposure and have you scheduling interviews in no time.
