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Digital technology has immensely impacted almost all the systems and procedures of many industries. Human resources staff and departments have gradually applied the most productive and logical ways to discover and engage talents. The process of hiring people with the company’s required skills has changed dramatically.
Hence, searching and applying for any job is no longer as it was in the past. A quarter of all job seekers consider the Internet the most valuable and helpful resource during their employment research.
Job Application Then and Now
Relishing the past ways for job applications will bring forth nostalgic emotions when people need to search for job postings on bulletin boards, newspapers manually, and printed flyers. You needed to print a resume on paper and have it sent via snail mail. However, these are no longer the cases in current times.
Finding a job is more convenient and efficient when it comes to the manual process. Resumes, documents, and other requirements are now digital. You can use different gadgets and technological tools as a means of applying.
It is safe to say that this process no longer requires any physical movement or necessitates any hassle for you to move from one place to another.
Even initial interviews are conducted online for some companies. Some do phone interviews as part of the preliminary assessment. This not only saves time for the employers and HR staff, but it also protects your time as an applicant.
With digital platforms and means for interviews and evaluations, both parties can effectively match each other’s preferences, talents, skills, and demands. You will be assessed through different steps, as usual, but digital methods have expedited such hiring procedures.
The Impact of the Internet
The dependency on using the World Wide Web by most businesses worldwide plays a significant role in why job applications are made digitally in the present time. Everyone and everything revolves around internet activities and systems.
Rather than wasting many hours, days, and weeks of thumbing around flyers, classified ads, and printed job postings, job seekers are now using social media, job sites, and online platforms to look for jobs.
It is way easier to narrow down industries and companies you are more likely interested in working for. The internet now provides you with opportunities to market your skills, talents, and resumes directly to possible employers.
Technology has undoubtedly shifted the conventional one-way job posting method usually done by companies and hiring agencies. It is now a two-way advertisement medium where job seekers can easily advertise themselves by showcasing their talents and abilities.
This serves as a win-win for many companies because they receive candidates’ applications and scout potential talents through personal branding advertisements.
Technology Systems that are Effective in Job Applications:
1. Social Media
Social networking sites are being used by 60 percent of employers when looking for candidates. It has left a significant impact on job searches these days. This means that you might overlook a job opportunity if you do not have an active social media profile.
The truth is that almost everyone is on social media, making it one of the most famous online activities ever. 4.59 billion people are active social media users in 2022 alone, and it is forecasted to soar to 6 billion in 2027, according to Statista.
LinkedIn, according to IvyExec.com, is now a vital platform for reaching out to many employers worldwide, comparing its efficacy to a resume.
Brief History of LinkedIn
LinkedIn was financially drafted in 2006, but the economic recession in 2008 opened doors for it to grow and develop potentially. It was then that recruitment costs in many companies were cut, and as a result, digital platforms like LinkedIn began serving as proxies for HR staffers.
Reid Hoffman took a financial risk in pursuing LinkedIn. He decided to invest and start a business during an economic downturn in his life, and it made him reap huge advantages as LinkedIn gradually grew and developed.
Today, LinkedIn is one of the most recommended and robust platforms for job search, online networking, and talent procurements.
These are some reasons why LinkedIn can add value to your job application:
- Have the right exposure to hiring managers and employers.
- Effectively demonstrate your credibility, experience, and abilities.
- LinkedIn is diverse and has a top-notch job board.
- You can follow companies and stay updated with their job postings.
- You can join LinkedIn groups and broaden your connections and networks.
Create your LinkedIn profile account now and leverage it with a professional photo. You also need to provide your experiences, skills, and talents carefully and concisely. Do not forget to use keywords, as they serve an excellent purpose for employers who are on LinkedIn.
2. Job Search
A job search will be made possible through a series of clicking buttons. Using your internet connection and a phone will help you jumpstart in finding the right job for you. Wherever you want to work, you will have access to a pool of job opportunities globally.
However, due to such user-friendliness, you can expect fierce competition, as many job applicants in the world are pursuing the same position as you. You can break free from this bubble by having a personal approach that works for you.
You should thoroughly read job descriptions, apply those that match your skills and expectations, and utilize keywords aligned to your resume and experiences.
3. Video CVs and Online Interviews
The advent of phone technology has made all sorts of communication effortless and productive. Video conferencing equipment has replaced conventional panel interview methods and is done anywhere and everywhere in all parts of the world.
Having an online interview before a face-to-face meeting is getting more commonplace these days, so make sure you are comfortable in front of a camera.
If you want to stand out from the other applicants, you should prepare a video CV. Some companies even require such material, although not all companies are familiar with it.
Upload your video CV on your blog site, your LinkedIn profile, or YouTube. You will never know when a company could browse through your application.
4. Keywords and Search Engines
Always consider the right keywords to use on your LinkedIn profile. Most employers and managers use keywords on search engines. Be familiar with the most helpful and most searched keywords that appear concerning your job preference.
Once you know all the right keywords, please take advantage of them by using them all on your profile. Remember that you will have more chances to be discovered by a manager through these keyword placements.
Merits of Online Application in this Digital Era
*Cost-effective
Advertising your profile online is financially flexible, so you can select the duration of your profile’s exposure. Instagram and Facebook have advertising mediums with corresponding fees. And it targets the right audience that you prefer.
It goes the same way if you’re an employer who is looking for qualified candidates. Your advertisement will be focused on targeting competent prospects that will suit your work requirements.
*Time-efficient
Online job postings and replies all happen in real-time. You will not consume and waste much time waiting and wondering if you are qualified for a position. As an applicant, you will know your application’s status right away, especially if you receive replies.
As a hiring company representative, you may stop scouting for candidates once you have already hired someone. The online platform is a win-win situation when it comes to time efficiency.
*Application process automation
The old-fashioned way of applying for jobs will require you to send your resume manually by mail, so this means you have to post them one by one at their respective addresses.
However, your online resume will be sent automatically to different hiring managers and companies with just one click on the current digital job hunt.
Especially if you have an account on job seeker sites, you will have your resume ready to send to multiple companies in the same industry. This not only saves you time but is also economical since you won’t have to pay postal fees.
Cons of Job Application Using Digital Platforms
*Extremely diverse audience
According to Medium.com, a study conducted by ERE Media shows that 92% of employees who live far from their office, at least 30 to 45 minutes away, usually quit their jobs in less than two years. Due to the widespread reach of job postings, almost anyone can easily apply for a job located close to home.
You must consider all the aspects of that work position before proceeding to the application’s final step. Location, core working hours, and travel time are some of the considerations you need to assess beforehand.
Another factor to consider when hunting for an online job is the tight competition. There will be thousands of qualified applicants worldwide, so make sure to set your best foot forward.
*Ineffective for people who are not computer-savvy
Since online job applications primarily require the internet, it somehow portrays discrimination against people who are not technology-savvy.
So, before you start your online job hunting journey, make sure that you are equipped with enough knowledge about using the internet and social media platforms for job applications and advertisements.
*System and bug issues
One of the most imperative factors for online job applications is a stable internet connection. However, due to uncontrollable external situations, you might experience the system down and errors.
It could hinder and disrupt you from accessing your files online. Thus, it is crucial to have all your data and online files saved in a backup drive so you will have everything ready even when you lose your internet connection.
Tips for Navigating Today’s “Modern” Job Hunting Processes:
In a nutshell, we should go with the changes in the modern era. Even though it may seem right that old habits die hard, you should be able to transition yourself into shifting towards digital platforms when finding a job.
With 100,000 job sites available online these days, you have to apply these tips so you can navigate through them without problems.
1. Search for the right job for you.
Be specific when finding a job that you would like to apply for. The secret to landing the best suitable job is to persevere and never give up. This means you should exhaust your efforts to find different job opportunities online.
You can then refine them closer to your qualifications, expectations, and interests. Go all out when using keywords and search engines.
You can undoubtedly explore beyond Google and take the time to keep searching for several queries. Depending on your employment type and industry, you even need to combine several terms and words.
Another critical category is geography, so consider that as well.
2. Select the most efficient job site in your area.
With hundreds of thousands of job sites available worldwide, it could sometimes be confusing to choose the best online platform for job seeking. However, you must prioritize the local online site that is relevant to your city and country.
If you are looking for an on-site job, location plays a critical component when selecting a job.
Meanwhile, if you pick an online career, geography may not be an essential thing to consider. Each job site offers its features and strengths, so use those that are convenient and reliable for you as a user.
3. Create and design your online job seeker profile.
Finding a job is a form of marketing a product, but you need to sell yourself instead. Your job seeker online profile serves as a window for employers and hiring managers to catch a glimpse of your experiences, talents, capabilities, and skills.
That’s why it is crucial to have your profile filled in with meaningful and honest information. You must check everything thoroughly and upload a professional photo as well. Your profile can leave the best or worst impressions among hiring companies, so make sure to prepare it well.
4. Upload and post your resume.
Posting a resume online is not that different from writing an actual paper-based one. Everything that you have on your resume is the same content as the paperless one. Make sure to follow Indeed’s guidelines in writing a resume. It should be short, clear, and concise.
Resumes usually catch the employer’s attention first and are a key factor for proceeding with an interview (or otherwise), so give it your best shot. Include necessary and relevant information, organize them well, and never bypass proofreading and editing.
You’ll know that your resume is wonderfully created when you start getting callbacks, interviews, and job offers. Do not ever downplay the importance of resumes.
Update your information accordingly, and you’ll be good to go. You can then start uploading and posting your resume to different job seeker sites.
5. Use the tools and resources.
Although some job sites provide additional resources to further assist you with your job applications, this does not apply to all sites.
Take advantage of exploring different informative sites that can guide you more on your job-hunting journey. Many online sites hand out free tools and resources.
One of these is the Public Library Association. You can take advantage of the content by browsing through different links and articles for all job applicants.
Job Seeking Sites are Free to Join
One of the things that you should be careful about online is scammers. Never pay for anything when joining job seeker sites. Applying for a job should be free of charge.
Employers, companies, and hiring managers are the ones paying to post, so you don’t need to handle any other fee as an applicant.
If you come across some sites that require any payment amount so you can have access to job postings, then it’s not a good bargain. Job postings are widely available and accessible on thousands of sites, so never settle on paying for them.
If you are interested in posting your account or profile advertisement on the other side of the fence, this will require you to invest in some minimal fees.
You can quickly check the rates on social media platforms, as they always have a standard price range based on your reach and the duration of your advertisement.
Summary
Ready or not, we are now living in a world that orbits around information technology. Everything is getting digitally convenient and easy. You will have numerous opportunities and unlimited access to job postings. However, you must be careful not to fall victim to fake job posts rampant all over the internet these days.
Although everything is digital and reasonable, you should still rely on your manual judgment and assessment of whether a job is matched to your interests, qualifications, and skills. Get out there and land the job that’s right for you!