31 Mar Job Searching in 2015

U.S. News & World Report recently published an article on the latest trends in searching for a job.  Methods and timeframes are changing due to the following factors:

• More job seekers than jobs
• Technology changes
• Updated hiring processes

So what does this mean for you?

May take longer than you think.  You may need to go through multiple interviews and additional steps.  Employer’s own estimate of the hiring process time may be less than actual.

Simply being qualified won’t get you an interview.  Employers are inundated with applications from many qualified candidates.  Many qualified candidates don’t even get interviews.  You need to show that you’d excel at the job.  Write a compelling cover letter, have a strong resume that demonstrates a clear track record of success in the key areas that the employer is seeking.  Ensure your resume contains the key words that the company indicated in the job posting, as many companies now electronically scan resumes for these, before even taking the next step.  Use your network whenever possible.

Increasing reliance in online applications.  Be prepared to fill out a lengthy online form, divulging specific personal information.

Tough to change fields.  Selling your skills as transferable can be difficult when there are plenty of other candidates who won’t require any ramp-up time or training.  Do anything you can to get experience in the new field, such as volunteer work or apprenticeships.

You may be asked to demonstrate your work in action.  This can be done via writing tests, skills assessments, problem-solving simulations, role plays and creating mock work plans.  This should not take a significant amount of time – or it becomes unreasonable.

Working with an employment agency, such as Integrated Staffing may help streamline some of this process for you!