How technology is changing job search
Twenty years ago you’d call, email, or even create and turn in CVs to every interested employer at their place of business. How has and how is technology changing job search today?
Nowadays, applicants are interacting increasingly more with online job search boards, online professional networks and (maybe most importantly) AI. Sometimes applicants are interacting longer with technology than a real person before getting hired.
Job search then and now
Job searching was not overly complicated, but it was time-consuming. Fast forward to today and job search technology has completely turned the traditional application processes on its proverbial head. It seems easier on the front end, but there is a curve for learning and applying new digital job-searching tips and understanding employers’ recruitment strategies.
Job related searches online
We can now use the internet to find out about new job openings, retraining opportunities and even how it is to work for specific employers. Dozens of sites are ready to answer your need for job searching tips with in-depth information about education, wage range and opportunities. If it is employment-related and you want to know about it, it will be available online.
The Importance of social media
In 2006, everyone would have said LinkedIn is how technology is changing job search. LinkedIn is still going strong today as a mega force for job postings and for networking. You are missing out on opportunities by not having a LinkedIn profile and socially engaging on the platform. Additionally, the articles and resources on LinkedIn and other job posting platforms can help anyone understand how to better use and leverage the platform to discover better job opportunities.
While Facebook and Twitter are used less so for directly finding jobs, they are important tools sometimes for networking. If you are searching for a new position, you can put out feelers to your network using these platforms.
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media platforms are also used by employers to vet candidates. Be sure any publicly available information you have on those sites is professional.
Less personal vetting, more AI
To help with the overload of CVs most companies receive, larger companies are moving toward automated screening systems, called applicant tracking software (ATS) to filter out less likely candidates.
ATS has been a game changer. AI applicant tracking software is how technology is changing job search today.
Applicant tracking software is a type of AI software used by companies and recruiting professionals to quickly scan through large volumes of CVs. This software ranks CVs based on the presence of key skills, job titles, and keywords, discarding those that fail to meet the required threshold.
In the UK employers now receive an average of 250 applications for each position they post, so they rely heavily on ATS to organise their recruitment process. Therefore, it is crucial to know how take ATS into account when writing your CV.
Missed opportunities – beyond the job boards
With the huge number of job listings to sift through online, it is easy to believe the majority of openings are posted on the internet. This is not the case: many companies hire internally or through word of mouth and never post an online employment ad.
You can capitalise on this by creating, maintaining and leveraging your professional network. Reach out to contacts to inquire about opportunities at their places of employment. Do a web search and create a list of companies in your industry and check their websites for job postings or send an email to their hiring manager.
The takeaway on how technology is changing job search
How technology is changing job search is seen prominently in the “how” applicants and employers search for jobs and opportunity. Applicant tracking software The ability to perform job searches and apply online, any time of the day or night, has made jobs more accessible to more people. While job search technology has created new obstacles for some job seekers, few of us would be willing to go back to the old-fashioned way of looking for work.
