Tech can be very useful in your job search, from social media networking to ensuring applications are well-presented.
Online technology has revolutionized the job search. With the ability to find and apply for new opportunities online, the chance to engage with an artificial intelligence (AI) career adviser and other exciting developments in the field, professionals could be on their way to finding the perfect position.
There are now more tech resources accessible online to help you optimize your hunt and give you the best shot at getting an interview for your dream role. Here are some of the most valuable ways tech can boost your job search.
Proofread application materials
Making sure your application materials - think resume, cover letter and whatever else may be required - are in top condition is one of the first things you should do when you start a job search.
This means you need to ensure your documents are well formatted, include the right keywords and have been proofread. After all, a hiring manager isn’t going to take you seriously when your resume contains spelling errors. You can make use of a browser extension like Grammarly to check your spelling as you write - perfect for applications like email or social media messaging, where a spell checker might not be built in.
Meanwhile, using a word cloud to highlight the top keywords in job descriptions can help you recognize the ones to focus on in your application. The bigger the word in the cloud, the more times it’s mentioned, so you’ll know it’s one to pay attention to. There are plenty of word cloud tools available online so it should be easy to find one that works for you.
Format your documents
What’s more, you can find free resume and cover letter templates online too. They can be a great starting point, especially if you’ve been employed for a long period and haven’t needed to update your resume. Use them to provide a structure but don’t send one standard version out to different prospective employers - you have to make sure each one is unique to the company and position you’re applying for.
According to Time reporter Kristen Bahler, “a killer resume can ratchet up your job search, cement your status as a top notch candidate, and increase your chances of landing a new gig”, so it’s vital to get it right.
Google Drive can also provide you with a free program to put your application materials together. You can create a presentation for an interview, and it also allows you to compile spreadsheets to ensure you’re keeping track of every element of your job search.
Take career and personality quizzes
One of the most common forms of assessments during the recruitment process is personality testing, with “roughly two million people a year” taking probably the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, according to the Washington Post. When many organizations rely on tests like these, it can pay to take a couple before you get to the interview stage since they can help you clarify your strengths and what you want from your next career move.
A quick search online will throw up plenty of results, but some are more fun than others. You could find a free version of the Myers-Briggs test, or the more entertaining quiz site Good&Co, where you can figure out what your spirit animal is and how it’s relevant to your work life. Productivity columnist Kelli Smith called it “fun enough that you can share your results on social media, but useful enough that it’ll give you insight into how you work best”.
Network through social media
Social media is one of the most important developments in recent years to have had an impact on the job search. It allows professionals to network from their homes and find opportunities that they otherwise might miss.
Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is one of the most important things you can do to give your job search a boost. Doing so could see your visibility increase and you garner more attention from the right people. According to social media strategist Lisa Dougherty, you should use keywords in your headline, but avoid cliches like guru or ninja. If you’re stuck, ask a friend or co-worker to describe you, as 52 percent of professionals prefer talking about their colleague’s achievements than their own.
It’s vital to ensure the rest of your social media accounts portray you as a professional, as 43 percent of organizations admit they use social media to screen candidates, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. The more informal social networks are also key platform for finding new job postings, so it’s a good idea to invest some time in tidying up your profiles and ensuring those party pictures from Friday night aren’t the focus.