Finding a job in a digital world

Finding a job can be a challenging time, especially if you’ve worked for the majority of your adult life with little complication.

In an increasingly tough world, more people are finding themselves made redundant or told to move on for restructuring or age related reasons. Online marketing automation and the increase of job sites has made it a lot easier finding a job, but finding the right one is still challenging.

Finding employment may be easier than you think by creating the right impressions and maintaining a knowledgeable intelligence relevant for your industry. Some simple rules listed below will enable you to excel in your job seeking and appear superior to your competition.

Yes, you still need to look for employment but there is no point sending out hundreds or resumes to people who you think might need someone.There are hundreds of job sites and constantly sending out resumes puts you amongst the crowd. Whilst it may increase the likelihood of an interview, what it really does is make you seem desperate.

Presenting yourself as a resource instead of an ‘out of work’ job seeker is going to come of far more positively. Handing out business cards is also extremely beneficial and makes you appear as a consultant and ultimately more employable.

  1. Limit your resume

With the way the world is today, and increasing online marketing automation, LinkedIn has become a far more contemporary and accessible version of your CV. As a result, the majority of employers will look to here for information rather than your resume.

Keep your CV short, no longer than two pages, and only include major accomplishments. Only update it when important events happen and ensure that your LinkedIn profile is always up to date.

  1. No more elevator speeches

No one remembers elevator speeches because they often lack substance and don’t focus on you but more your work. You need to create a profile for yourself.

In order to do this, create a story about yourself or something that you have done that lasts between 60-90 seconds. Make it interesting and potentially even humorous. Find a nickname for yourself such as “Connector” or “Deal Finder”

  1. Focus on them

Yes, you want to talk yourself up but taking an interest in others will immediately create a positive persona. Try to understand their wants and recommend an article or book that will be of interest to them.

Books and articles that end up being helpful will reflect positively on you. Additionally, it shows that you take care in your work and have an interest in the ever-changing landscapes of business.

  1. You’re not unemployed

It’s important that you don’t appear as someone who is currently out of work. This links back to point two where it is important to come across as someone who adds value – a resource or consultant.

Yes, you’re finding a job, but you need to be someone who adds value not just fills a role.

  1. Avoid networking events

Instead of attending networking events, you should host your own. This means that the people present are going to be those who you actually want to talk to and will add value to your job search.

Additionally, you may be able to add value for them, hence, enhancing your prospects. Making to effort to meet face to face, as opposed to via a networking or job site, has its benefits also.

 Take a break

Finding employment, be it through a job site, advertisements or family and friends is a difficult time. It can be made even harder when you are getting turned down following interviews.

That’s why it is so important to take a break every now and again. taking a break allows you to catch up of recent news in the relevant industry and conduct more research to better equip yourself for next time.

Additionally, it helps to freshen up the mind and take yourself away from the stress of searching for a job.

8. Steer clear of headhunters

A headhunter works for a company and not for you. They also only account for approximately 10% of the jobs available. This makes the chances of getting a job through a headhunter rather small.

Hand in a resume and move on, getting it in the database is the important part.

Whilst these rules are not necessarily ‘hard and fast’ they do play a role. All of these rules help to create a more presentable and desirable image of yourself for potential employers.

It is a challenging world and the digitization of it has made things more challenging for the unemployed. Creating a distinct digital profile via LinkedIn and selling yourself as a resource as opposed to a ‘role-filler’ will ensure greater success in establishing a new job.

 

Zac Fyffe
Zac Fyffe
Passionate about writing and sharing my experiences with others. Zac has a keen interest in sport and politics in particular. Contact: [email protected]
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