4 Things That Are New Since Your Last Job Search

If you suddenly find yourself back in the job market again after a long time, you should know that things have changed—a lot. It’s no longer a straightforward process and this is good and bad for job seekers. Learning to navigate this unfamiliar territory can be intimidating and just plain frustrating. Here are 4 new things that you can expect to encounter in a 21st Century job search:

Online Applications
The very idea of applying online is enough to make many people run for the headache medicine. Online applications don’t have a great reputation and that’s because many times they don’t do their job well—but you can work the system! No matter how much you hate the idea of applying online, that application process is here to stay. The sooner you adapt, the better off you’ll be. The key with online applications is you want to make sure your resume hits on some of the key words that are in the job description. Resume scanning software will search through the master database looking for resumes that have a certain number of keyword matches. If you haven’t taken this into consideration, your resume may be missed.

LinkedIn
It’s time to rethink how you’re looking for jobs. It takes a little digging to uncover great opportunities and your dream job is no longer going to appear in the classified section of the newspaper and it may not always be on the standard online job boards. You need to go where the career professionals are—this means LinkedIn. If you’re looking for a new job, you need a LinkedIn profile. It’s a great networking tool and many businesses post jobs exclusively on LinkedIn. Make a list of some companies you want to target, follow them on LinkedIn, and look for updates. Then, make a habit to regularly check the careers page of their website for updates and new postings.

Online Assessments
Potential employers want to put your resume and experience to the test. It’s no longer enough to have a degree in your field; you’ve got to be the complete package. Don’t be surprised (or offended) if you’re asked to take a selection of assessments to help your potential employer feel confident that you’re the right person for the job. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to do a little brush up to make sure you’re as up-to-date as possible in your field. This way you’ll be prepared and will be more likely to score well.

Digital Interviews
The face of interviewing has changed. It’s no longer a guaranteed face-to-face meeting where you’ll get to talk directly with the hiring manager. Digital interviews are becoming more mainstream and they require you to participate in an online interview where you’ll either record yourself answering a few questions or you may participate in a live digital interview where you’ll “meet” the hiring manager online (like Skype or Face Time). This process is designed to save the hiring manager time by weeding out candidates who are not a fit—don't let this be you! Try to anticipate a few questions that might appear and then practice ahead of time to avoid getting flustered.

The 21st Century Job Search may seem a little foreign, but the good news is you have a limitless number of resources at your fingertips. Use this to your advantage and do your research by looking online for tips or asking others you know who have interviewed recently. Don’t let a fear of the unfamiliar keep you from being prepared.