The hiring process has gone digital, so you need to go digital. But how do you do it? Let’s find out more.
Finding a job isn’t like it used to be. More and more of the hiring process has moved online in recent years, and that’s only accelerated since the pandemic. If you’re looking for a new role, particularly if you’ve been at your current company for a long time, you might be surprised how much you have to adapt.
In this article, we’ll look at four things you must do to find a job in the digital age.
1 - Update your CV
Corporate hiring managers don’t have the time to pour through the actual hundreds of applications and CVs when they advertise a role. So, they don’t.
Instead, they use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to do it automatically. In seconds, ATS sifts through CVs looking for included keywords related to the job. If a CV gets through, it then goes to a human.
Here are some tips for getting past ATS:
- Make sure your CV contains all the right keywords for your role and industry
- Ensure your CV is tidy, uncluttered and free of spelling mistakes
- Word files are easier for ATS to read than PDFs
2 – Leverage your network
If you’re looking for a new role, there are an almost infinite number of job websites you can use to find vacancies. You can also use LinkedIn and Indeed, which let you apply inside the website or app. Finding and applying for a role has never been easier, which explains why job ads receive so many applications.
Once you’ve passed ATS, your CV goes to a human recruiter who will spend an average of six seconds reading it. Make sure your CV is formatted in an easy-to-read way. If the recruiter can’t find the information they need immediately, your CV will probably end up in the bin.
But how can you give yourself an advantage over the other applications in the pile? One idea is to research the company and use your network to connect with someone already working there. Then, ask them to recommend you to the hiring manager. It makes life much easier for the hiring manager and puts you in a pole position.
3 – Interview well
These days, there’s a very good chance that at least one of your interviews in the hiring process will be on Zoom or another video call app. You should prepare for a Zoom interview in the same way as you would for an in-person one. Make sure you’ve done your research and have some great possible answers prepared.
However, you also need to make sure you’re prepared for everything that can go wrong in the digital age:
- Ensure your internet connection is strong enough for video calling
- Find somewhere quiet to do your video interview
- Use a virtual background if your room is untidy
- Dress as you would for an in-person interview, even if you’re at home
- Test the platform in advance, so you know where the controls are
4 – Stay organised
As it’s so easy to apply for jobs in the digital age, you’ll probably apply for quite a lot. Make sure you keep track of all your applications, so you know when to follow up. Create an Excel or Google spreadsheet with all the relevant dates and information.
If more than a week has passed since you sent your application and you haven’t heard from the recruiter or hiring manager, email them to ask how your application is progressing. You should leave the same length of time after an interview to follow up if you haven’t heard back.
5 – Bonus tips
Finally, here are some final bonus tips to navigate the digital hiring process and land that job:
- Customise your CV and cover letter to match the job description of the role. So many applicants won’t bother to do this, so you’ll immediately gain an advantage
- Be professional on social media - Recruiters are likely to look you up on social media (and not necessarily just LinkedIn). Make sure they’re not put off by what they find
- Use a professional-sounding email address - The jokey Yahoo! address you’ve had since you were 16 won’t cut it anymore
- Reference the job title in the subject line of every email you send to the recruiter. If the job has a code associated with it, use that as well
- Be resilient – You’ll probably have to deal with rejection, ghosting and other setbacks on your journey to a new role. Don’t let it put you off your search