The pandemic has fundamentally altered the job market and job hunting trends. Today, employers have new priorities when evaluating candidates. Additionally, even with labor shortages, competition for certain roles – particularly those with employers of choice – can be surprisingly fierce.
Thankfully, candidates can stay ahead of the curve. By being mindful of job hunting trends, it’s possible to increase your odds of success.
If you’re looking for a new role this year, here are some trends that need to be on your radar.
Remote Jobs Remain Common
While some companies like the idea of returning to in-person operations, the reality is that remote work isn’t leaving the broader landscape any time soon. As a candidate, this can work in your favor. If you enjoy telecommuting, you’ll find more opportunities than you would have seen pre-pandemic. Plus, it allows you to broaden your search and consider employers outside of your immediate area.
However, remote jobs that welcome candidates from outside of the local area also see more applicants. As a result, you’ll face more competition. If you want to stand out, you’ll need to highlight a full breadth of skills, including technical capabilities, soft skills, and abilities relating specifically to remote work.
Being ready for remote job interviews is also essential. Many companies that are hiring for roles that telecommute full-time will rely on video conferencing or other technologies to meet with candidates. Ensuring you have the expertise and equipment to shine during these remote gatherings is essential. That way, you can make the best possible impression.
Being ATS Savvy Is Increasingly Essential
Technology has long had a place in the world of recruitment. An increasing number of companies rely heavily on an applicant tracking system (ATS), particularly for initial screening.
Automated screeners are increasingly capable, but they aren’t perfect. They can only seek out words and phrases they’re given by the company and aren’t capable of ascertaining that two terms mean the same thing if they aren’t programmed with both.
If you want to land a job this year, embrace ATS best practices. Make sure to feature keywords in your application that are direct matches to the spelling and phrasing you see in the job ad, as those are the terms the manager likely provided to the ATS. That way, you can ensure that your resume looks like a match to the system, increasing the odds your resume will get in front of a hiring manager.
Cultivating Your Professional Brand Online Is a Must
Today, employers commonly seek out candidates on social media to get a better idea of who they are and what they bring to the table. If your digital presence is lacking, that could mean fewer job offers.
Ideally, you want to curate a public social media profile designed to represent your professional brand, preferably on LinkedIn. That way, you can highlight points that won’t fit on your resume, position yourself as a thought leader, and entice employers who look you up online.
Ultimately, all of the trends above are influencing the job search landscape.
If you’d like more insights into how you can land your ideal position, the staff at The Squires Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.
