How will job searching change in 2021
So, I think we are going to see a continuation of what we saw a lot of in 2020 in terms of reacting to the pandemic.
So, this means it’s going to be almost exclusively online.
There will be a tough jobs market for a year or two, so I think that employers will be able to get away with not advertising on job boards so much.
They will be not needing to do adverts; they will be able to probably just simply be able to put things on social media and their website and get a strong response because there will be lots of people searching for jobs.
Most recruitment teams, internal recruitment teams are pretty small, so the increase in the volume of applications is going to be putting the pressure on them.
So, I think we will see a move to even more automation. So, things like online tests. Ideally, these will be designed specifically for the companies, so that is some face value there for the candidates.
But, yeah, more online tests, more video interviews, and also digital assessment centres and virtual interviews, as well.
In fact, I think it’s even possible that we will for quite some time see employers recruiting their candidates and perhaps not even meeting them in person until they actually start the job.
So, how can job searchers make sure that they are ready to adapt to these changes?
Well, first things first, jobseekers need to make sure that they are ready to apply for jobs as they become available.
So, basic things like making sure that your CV is up-to-date, that your LinkedIn profile is also current and full, and you have completed each section as recruiters and employers do use LinkedIn very heavily. And then it’s making sure that you’re ready for an online process.
So, are you comfortable with the technology that you’re going to be using in a virtual interview or assessment centre?
Have as much practice as you can so that you’re confident for those processes and that you’re not just finding your way when it is the real thing, so lots of practice and preparation.
A point on virtual interviews and assessment centres is you want to find somewhere in your house that ideally has a neutral background so that it’s not too distracting for any accessors or interviewers meeting you.
And also, that you have got a steady wi-fi connection because that tends to be the thing that causes the most problems with virtual recruitment, so make sure that yours is going to last the duration of your interview.
What tips would I give to jobseekers?
Well, the first thing which would be the tip that I always give to anyone looking for a job is to only apply for jobs that you really want.
If you’re just applying with a scattergun approach, just applying for things here, there and everywhere, if you do get through to the interview, which I think is unlikely because you’ll find it hard to demonstrate why you’re enthusiastic for everything.
If you do get through to an interview, it’s going to be really hard to fake that passion and enthusiasm for multiple jobs.
So, narrow your search down, make sure you’re applying for companies that you genuinely feel connected to and roles that you understand and have some of the skills to put forward for that role. So, make sure that it’s something that you really want.
Secondly, get organised. If you’re applying for a number of jobs, you want to record this in some way. So, maybe use a job application tracker so that you have a list of them and you keep things like the dates, who you’ve applied to and when you’re expected to hear back etc.
When you first apply for a job through to getting through to each of the steps of the process, it can actually take a while to even get to the point of the interview, so it’s just helpful to keep track of them, so you know where you’re at for each application.
Next, practice, practice, practice. So, if you’ve got online tests for a job, or you’ve got an interview, or you’ve got an assessment centre, make sure that you practice with the technology you’re going to be using and things like interview prep.
So, practice with a friend, especially when you can do that through Zoom and replicate it very accurately.
So, practice, practice, practice so that you feel as confident as you can once you get through to that stage.
And finally, you’re not going to successful with every job that you apply to.
So, it’s really important to firstly seek feedback as to why you fell down at the stage that you did so that you can learn from that, reflect and make sure that your next application is stronger.
And also, stay positive. It can be so hard when you’re rejected from something. No one likes being rejected, do they?
So, you need to stay resilient and just keep at it because who knows? The next job that you apply for might be the one that you get.
What methods should jobseekers be using to find jobs?
Well, there’s a number of different ways that you can find jobs that are going to be suitable and inspiring for you to apply for.
And it can depend on the job role that you’re applying for and also the industry, so I’ll just give you a few broad tips.
So, at the moment, we are going to be seeing that many employers are simply just advertising on their website. They are getting a lot of applications at the moment, so that might be all they need to do to get enough applications to fill the position.
Another thing that you might want to do is start following the companies that you’re interested on social media.
So, big companies will have a social media presence on every platform, but also, they might actually have a careers team social media handle as well.
Definitely go and see if you can find those and follows those because they will have less followers for the main profile for the company.
You might get your questions answered better; you might just get a bit more interaction and engagement with the employers, so definitely have a look at those!
LinkedIn, also huge. Make sure your profile is up-to-date and that in your dashboard, it shows that you having an all-star profile.
Having an all-star profile simply means that you’ve completed each of the sections within the profile. So, it’s really easy to do and just make sure you get into the habit of updating it once a month, making sure everything is current and that you’ve added any new achievements or skills.
And then, finally, research job boards.
So, job boards are a great source of opportunities and also for finding out more about employers.
Find out which job boards are the most relevant for the industry and roles that you’re interested in, and sign up for the alerts so then you are notified about any relevant opportunities.
How can jobseekers enhance their employability skills during the pandemic?
Well, the first thing that you should do is to carry out a thorough review of the transferable skills that you have and make sure that your CV reflects these updates and also so does your LinkedIn profile.
You can spend a bit of time learning the STAR technique if you haven’t come across that; there’s loads of information online that will show you how to use it.
It’s essentially a framework that you can use to answer interview questions in a way that will give you a rounded response.
When you’re answering interview questions, definitely use that technique, but also make sure that you’re using current examples where possible, nothing that is too old – make sure that it’s relevant.
And also, you can check out any free webinars and videos and things on YouTube which will help prepare you for the virtual experience.
So, on our own YouTube channel, we have loads of resources, all free covering things like virtual assessment centres and interviews, and every stage of the process.
It’s definitely worth looking at these resources because if you understand the process that you’re going to be put through, you’re more likely to be confident when you’re going through it, know what to expect and obviously be able to perform at your best.
And finally, make sure that you do get feedback on any unsuccessful applications; I’ve said before that you’re not going to be successful with every job that you apply for. So, do get the feedback.
It can feel a bit painful asking for feedback when you’ve just been rejected, but it will really help you to improve and secure the job at some point.