If you have suddenly found yourself back on the job market after a long period of uninterrupted employment, it can be an unquestionably intimidating time. In fact, you are likely to find that the landscape has changed quite a bit since you last searched for a job; especially if it’s been more than ten years. The traditional idea of “hitting the pavement” in search of employment has not been applicable for a considerable amount of time now. Moreover, with advances in technology occurring even faster than we can envision, it’s no surprise that our job search strategies have evolved considerably.
The Application Process
Perhaps one of the most significant transformations is how technology – specifically, the internet — has revolutionized the job search and application process; as these practices are now typically completed online. The days of printing out and mailing endless copies of your resume and cover letter are all but obsolete. Now, hopeful job candidates must learn how to properly digitally format their resumes before sending them electronically to prospective employers.
Related: Six Tips for Masterfully Completing Your Online Job Application
Pre-employment Tests
Applying to dozens of jobs from the comfort of your own home is simply the groundwork for the technological evolutions that have, and continue, to take place. It’s also becoming increasingly prevalent for companies to require that candidates take pre-employment tests as part of the application process, gauging their skills, aptitude, and personality traits. In fact, according to a Glassdoor report, personality test usage has increased from 12 percent in 2010 to a current 18 percent, with skills test usage increasing from 16 percent to 23 percent. Pre-employment tests are not only useful to employers, but also convenient. Software companies, such as TestUp, are now offering mid-size employers comprehensive packages which allow them to upload tests, track results, and compare and manage candidates from one convenient location. PAN Business Edition is another software package that offers employers all-inclusive pre-employment testing options; and websites like EmployTest.com allow employers to use online services when administering pre-employment tests to candidates. The lesson to job seekers: Do everything you can to become comfortable with pre-employment tests, as they are — and will continue to be — a vital part of the modern job search and interview process.
Related: Pre-Employment Tests: What You Need to Know
Virtual Interviews
Another factor that has been noticeably affected by technology is the job interview process itself, as remote, and even traditional, job candidates are now able to interview for jobs via video conferencing applications such as Skype and sites such as GoToMeeting.com. Additionally, an increasingly popular concept called Gamification, has recently been integrated into certain interview environments. Gamifaction allows employers to create virtual game-like scenarios in order to learn more about the personalities, tendencies, and skills of potential employees.
Digital Networking
While word of mouth will always be a viable networking method, in today’s job market, there is no substitute for a thorough online professional network. LinkedIn, the internet’s most popular professional networking website, is the best place to start if you have let your networking skills fall by the wayside while you were employed. LinkedIn is also one of the first online stops for employers seeking talented job candidates. Job seekers should begin by joining groups relating to their industry and expertise, adding known colleagues to your network.
Automated Future
The evolving job market also shows that employers are taking different factors into consideration before hiring new employees. According to an article by HR expert, Kazim Ladimeji, employers are looking for candidates with more advanced skills than ever before, with a reduction in the need for simple entry-level jobs. This may possibly be the result of the increasing prevalence of automation taking over the more basic, manual tasks.
“Two thousand seventeen looks to be the year when these big advances in automation will start changing the daily work of more Americans,” stated Andrew Chamberlain, chief economist at Glassdoor.
While the thought of robots and automation replacing humans in certain jobs may frighten some, Chamberlain suggests this will not be the case. Instead, this particular modification of the job market will result in employers looking to fill more specialized jobs with creative, innovative and technologically-savvy individuals.
Conclusion
For those job seekers who may feel “out of the loop”, arming yourself with the right technical know-how and facts relating to today’s job search practices is the first and most important step.
It’s quite evident that technology seems to be the recurring factor in the ever-changing job market. Yet, what we must remember is that as technology changes our world, we must also change by embracing the differences with which we are faced. The coming years will be very important for job seekers and candidates to remain a step ahead of the new technology and advances that will not only affect our job search habits, but our employment choices as well.
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