Here's some good news: the job search game has changed quite a bit in recent years. It's now easier than ever to find a new job.
If you haven't considered making a career switch for some years now or haven't job-searched in a while, you will be surprised to see how things have changed when it comes to doing a job hunt. It wasn't that long ago that the main source of job listings was printed in newspapers, and people used to deliver their resumes through mail or in-person and an actual human being read the whole thing.
Things were quite primitive until technology took over the world. Let's discuss how job hunting has changed and what you should expect if you are looking for a new job.
Here are 5 ways the job market has changed in the last decade
1. It's easier to find what you are looking for
Today, you don't have to squint to read through cryptically printed newspaper job listings, waiting for a job that matches your skills to show up. There are dozens of online job portals with easy-to-use websites that can be used to filter the jobs and get a list of all the recent openings in the field of your choice. Some of the most popular ones are Upward, Talroo, and LinkedIn. You can easily and quickly read through the job descriptions to see if the position is a good fit for your set of skills, and once you've set up your profile, apply with a single click.
2. Working from home is more common
You're not limited to applying only to companies near where you live - many job websites specifically cater to jobs that allow you to work remotely part- or full-time. As the nature of work has changed to be conducted increasingly on the Internet, more and more companies are hiring for positions that don't require a physical office. Check out services such as FlexJobs if you're looking for jobs in this category.
3. Researching the position is easier
In a job interview, the interviewer will expect you to have done some research on the industry, the company and the role for which you are applying. All of this information is readily available on the Internet and spending time to do your research will provide you with all the information needed to present well in the interview. Today, a high-quality candidate is believed to be one that is well-informed. So it's important to take the time to learn what the company does, its mission statements, motto, and values. You would also be wise to do the same research on obvious competitors.
4. A smartphone is all you need to apply
For many years now, the Internet has made applying for a job much easier. More recently, you can effectively search for jobs and apply using only a smartphone or tablet. There are many platforms available such as Linked In, CareerBuilder.com and Snagajob. Just visit their mobile website or download their app from Apple or Google. Then, you can create your personal job profile right from your phone. Next, you can search for jobs and apply. Some recruiters also work exclusively via mobile phone. To find a job these days, all you need is a smartphone and an Internet connection.
5. Recruiters come in many forms
Traditional head-hunters and recruiters are widely available, and can help with your efforts to find a job by pairing you with companies that are looking for your skill set. Newer services such as Vettery turn the tables by letting you configure your resume and get contacted by employers who think you might be a fit for their current openings.
6. Most resumes get filtered out by algorithms
As the ease of applying for a job has increased, the volume of applicants has increased as well. This means that any job posting will on average receive significantly more responses than it did in the past. The decision to interview and hire is still made by humans (for now!), so most hiring managers and recruiters will employ technology that scans resumes for the presence of certain keywords before a real person reviews it. It may be necessary to customize your resume and cover letter to specifically list the job requirements and skills they are seeking in order to pass this automated filter - just make sure you only list skills you actually have!
