Embrace Technology to Aid Your Job Search and Career Growth
It’s no secret the number of resources at our fingertips is limitless these days. This excess data at your disposal brings a level of information and responsibility for those of us looking to build our knowledge base and expand our networks and careers.
When looking to build relationships and search for new jobs and career paths, the internet is becoming more of the way to go. The world is rapidly going digital.
Technological advancement catapulted with the latest pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the substantial increase of virtual meetings through platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, we’re no longer strangers of virtual connection with others across the internet.
That said, it’s also shortened the amount of time required for networking and landing the new job you’re looking for – from the comfort of your own home.
Yet, to successfully leverage the tech resources out there, you must be strategic with your approach and understand what websites and apps are available or required and when to use them.
A lot of research when it comes to the internet just requires a simple Google search; job hunting, unfortunately…does not.
The clearer the search, the more precise the path, so you’ll need to get crisp on what it is you’re looking to find.
- Is that higher pay?
- A different industry?
- Preference to work remotely?
- Fewer hours?
These are only examples of the types of things you need to have in mind when it comes to leveraging career resources to achieve your goal. In the same way you wouldn’t open your GPS without a destination, you shouldn’t hop on the web without an idea in mind of what you’re looking to find.
Tools for job seekers and when to leverage them
Finding the human behind the post
Looking to Network? Connecting with people is the first step in any job search. When looking for a new role or career, I always recommend finding people in the position you’re looking for and understanding from their perspective (directly or indirectly) more about what they do.
Here are a few resources:
LinkedIn. Yes – we all think of LinkedIn when it comes to searching for jobs. It’s the powerhouse site for networking. However, using it and utilizing it right are two different things. Sending thoughtful messages to peers and colleagues with a genuine interest in understanding more of what they do versus just asking for a job can go a long way. This helps maintain relationships while also staying top of mind for hiring managers and those looking to grow their teams.
Check out LinkedIn Learning to gain new or improve existing skills.
Twitter. That’s right, Twitter isn’t just for politics and memes, and there are plenty of niches there covering what you’re looking for. From hashtags like #techtwitter to #careertips and everything in between, Twitter is an excellent resource for connecting with communities of professionals who share similar career interests and enjoy discussing day-to-day life.
Let’s talk salary – understanding the compensation before diving headfirst.
We’re no longer in the day and age of going into an interview blindly without understanding ranges for salary. It’s important to come equipped when applying for jobs, so there’s no surprise for either side when it comes time to discuss salary and compensation.
These resources can help:
Blind. A personal favorite that your HR department may not exactly love. Blind is an app that allows professionals to discuss salary (and company culture) anonymously, fostering a transparent discussion community. From leveling and titles to bonuses, Blind gives you valuable insight that provides you an edge in conversations with potential employers. This helps prevent you from getting an offer that doesn’t align with your expectations.
Glassdoor. Another great resource that offers salary insights is Glassdoor. Although not 100% anonymous, Glassdoor shares company information and reviews for salary very similar to Blind. Because Blind focuses more on roles at tech companies, Glassdoor provides a broader range of industries and companies that may fall in line with what you’re looking for.
Time to land the position
Once you’ve done the pre-work with connecting with others, learning more about the role, company, and even pay, all you need to do now is find the actual job listing so you can apply.
With the newer virtual environment, those looking for new jobs are almost forced to search for jobs through websites and apps, and as always, we’ve got your resources here:
ZipRecruiter. Recruiters come to this site to list job openings as they become available from their respective companies. After creating a job seeker profile, with just one tap, you can apply to the role you’re seeking. Think of ZipRecruiter as Recruiter Central; recruiters from all over come here to review candidates for positions they’re eagerly looking to fill.
Indeed. The amazon of job hunting is a space where you can contact employers directly. Here, you’ll also create a profile and upload your resume to allow for an efficient process when applying. The awesome perk to Indeed is its search feature that will enable you to get extremely specific with what you’re looking for, such as location, salary, contract, experience level, etc.
Simply Hired. Simply Hired is another site, through Indeed, providing an alternative approach where you can tailor a job search (like Indeed), but with a salary estimator for that position as well.
There are even freelance opportunities through apps such as Fiverr and Upwork for those who prefer less traditional work and setting their hours. Also, for younger graduating professionals, there’s an app called Handshake.
Not easy, but doable.
The bottom line is, job hunting is not easy. Searching for a job in this newer virtual environment can be challenging at first, but like everything else, it just requires a little time and mental shift to adjust.
Luckily, there are several resources out there that’ll help you navigate a path and reduce the inherent stress that comes with finding a new place to work.
Remember, it’s not the businesses themselves that achieve success; it’s the people who build them. That doesn’t change in the digital era, not even the metaverse. The resources we’ve provided are the map; now go find those people.
Next: How to Optimize Your Workplace Performance: 5 Tips for enhancing productivity
