Few years back, job search process was relatively simple. Professionals & job aspirants used to send their resumes to handful of headhunters & then wait for a call. However, job search modalities have changed since then- remote working, career returners & side hustles which were not mainstream 8 to 10 years ago.
Hiring landscape has become quite complex & cumbersome now. The job market is full of job portals & your application is subject to application tracking system. Job seekers have to go through lengthy application process including filling up an online application form & in some cases go through problem solving assessment & tests before you called for competency interview or have facial expression evaluated through a video interview.
Corporations now have captive recruitment divisions having in house recruiters &/or external relationship with headhunters( recruitment outsourcing agreements with third party headhunter firms) or external firm sitting inside recruitment department who manages CRMs & database for both internal & external candidates. Now-a-days corporations have access to multiple job portals, actively search various social media platforms & also run employee referral program within themselves. Resorting to recruitment process outsourcing means, most of the corporations whether SME or big corporation have an access to recruitment expertise to implement best hiring practices in screening large number of candidates which includes psychometric testing & structure interview & assessment. However for specialist &/or senior level roles, corporations can look out to external headhunters.
So how should you approach job search in year 2020?
Aforesaid methodology has made job search quite complex. A lot of our clients found job search quite confusing & frustrating, however if you are flexible & embrace these changes you can leverage upside of these technological & structural changes & can take control of your career. While searching for that perfect role for yourself, please keep in mind the following:
- LinkedIn is key job match weapon: With 600 million plus LinkedIn users coming from 170 plus countries worldwide, having a great network on LinkedIn is a great strength. Even if you are not actively looking for a job, having an up-to-date LinkedIn provides gives credibility to your personality & professional background as well as your skills, competencies & experience. Your personal brand on LinkedIn helps your 2nd & 3rd connection establish an impression of you( you can check our blog on personal branding here). Rather than mentioning your responsibilities & achievements in a chronological order, portray your profile in engaging way so that your transferable skills & expertise can be showcased in a better way. For recruiters & headhunters, LinkedIn is an essential tool for finding the right fit candidates.
- Network is important: Around 70% to 75% of jobs are never advertised. Corporations leverage social network & even launch bonus & corporate referral program for their employees. So you should be quite vocal with your network about your career aspirations & kind of roles you are exploring.
- Increase your visibility: Make yourself visible to recruiters/headhunters & those in your network by being active on LinkedIn. Sharing useful articles, writing your own & taking part in online discussions across various groups are great ways to give your profile a boost. You can do so offline by attending seminars & joining professional groups.
- Research about corporations: Now-a-days corporations are investing a lot of time & resources in developing career & employee section of their website & social media handles. So make sure that you read these sections of website of prospective employer in detail since these corporations expect you to know their plans & scope of operations. Going through these sections also help you get to know about company culture & assist you in evaluating a potential fit.
- Turning your bullet points into stories: Your resume is your face & you should strive to portray larger picture on how you helped your current & past employer achieve financial & commercial benefits. Rather than showcasing you helped your employer achieve X % of growth, focus on including how your actions & skills overcame the problem set & achieved X % growth. For instance if you are working with an automotive startup, showcase what you did to build a customer base from few thousand customers to 5 million customers in a span of 3 years with 40% year on year growth. In order words, reinforce what you can offer to hiring companies & demonstrate you are the person they need.
2020 job market is about managing your professional growth & career, developing & nurturing your personal brand, network with people & find a coach or mentor who can guide you on your career growth. Sign up to get your resume, LinkedIn profile & cover letter made &/or enroll with our mentor for professional career coaching here.
