Are you being left behind? The internet and job search strategies for the 21st Century

The internet is an amazing phenomenon and is shaping our lives every day, and this is so true in regards to the job search game.  In fact, things are changing so rapidly, that unless you keep up with all the trends – you will be left behind.

According to a report by the International Association of Career Management Professionals:

• Individuals that do not use the email will be left out
• Individuals must be able to post a resume on the internet
• Internet networking is replacing much of the traditional face-to-face interactions

This is only the beginning, with trends rapidly changing the entire job search and recruitment landscape.  As a job seeker, it is vital to ensure that at all stages during your career that you keep abreast with these changes, so that you can maximise your chances of success.

Is your current resume a dinosaur?

If you still have a personal details section, then you are still in the 20^th Century and it is time to get rid of that revealing personal information relating to age, hobbies, interests, martial status and number of children.  This information is completely irrelevant.  If your resume extends beyond 5 – 6 pages, then it is time to seriously start culling your document, as the “let it all hang out” resume version, is now a dinosaur.

But this is just the start of the new “Australian resume”, as the online phenomenon takes shape.  The future is already here, with web-based (HTLM) versions of the resume, Portable Document Format (PDF), ASCII Rich Text Format (RTF), through to Video Resumes, which will start to appear, thanks to the tools available for job seekers to create personal videos through the use of a camera and YouTube technology.   (Although Video Resumes will in my opinion will not replace the resume, due to time involved in recruiters and employers viewing the information and legal implications (such as potential allegations of discrimination on the basis of colour, age, as the employer)).

The internet is the hiring highway

The percentage of employers using the internet to recruit is increasing phenomenally and at an unprecedented rate, to the point that employers advertising in newspapers have the same advertisement online.   This trend has several consequences for job seekers like you, and the few of the major ones you need to be aware of are:

• The need to incorporate key words into your resume, when posting your resume on online job boards, so you can be identified as a suitable candidate, by search databases. (Refer to my tips on key words in my Report on Resume Writing).
• With an increasing volume of resumes online, the patched together resume, using resume templates from major job boards such as Seek or CareerOne is redundant.  It is vital to ensure that you create a resume that stands out from the pack!
• The challenge of the “fill-in-the-blank”, online application forms, that exposes all your weak points, such as job gaps and job hopping.
• Ensuring that the employer actually receives your emailed document, with an increasing number of documents being blocked by SPAM traps and never being reviewed by the employer.  Some surveys are indicating that up to 25% of resumes were being caught by SPAM filters.
• You need to be aware that employers and recruiters are increasingly performing background checks on candidates and this includes “googling” candidates.  This is also current practice for positions in the public service sector, that require secret vetting clearance, and this includes a comprehensive background search, including online searches.  So if you are engaged in any online forums, including Facebook, then you need to be aware that inappropriate comments, or revealing lots of personal information, could be detrimental to your career prospects –  (Big brother has already arrived).
• If posting your resume online, ensure you don’t include information that could be detrimental to your privacy and the privacy of your referees.  Your referee won’t be too impressed if their home phone or private address is online for everyone to see!
• The bulk of recruiters source candidates from places such as LinkedIn, so if you don’t have a LinkedIn account now is the time to seriously consider setting one up.

These are just of the few of the major trends – and job seekers that keep up with these changes will have a competitive edge and will be able to exploit the new technology, as well as distinguish themselves from the competition.