Job hunting in a digital age

Everything in our world is moving into the digital age. Some of it a lot faster than we like to acknowledge. Even job hunting is evolving into a digital process. More and more employers are directing potential employees toward their company web pages to begin the application process online.

While it may be a bit of a different process, it is the way we are headed.

The right starting point is knowing where to look. There are plenty of places to seek job opportunities online. Indeed.com, Monster.com, Zip Recruiter, and even Facebook jobs are all possible options. This is not an exhaustive list nor an endorsement, simply just a sampling of some of the available options. When you get on a job site, most will allow you to filter or search by location and job type. There is also a notification option that allows you to receive notifications of similar jobs like the one you searched for. Some of these sites will require a resume. Check back next week for tips on putting together an eye catching resume.

An online application can be a little overwhelming. Most online applications require quite a bit of information. Some of the things you may want to have ready would include current contact information, job history including dates and responsibilities, and education or special certifications with dates. Remember, you are providing information to a company that you are desiring employment with. Provide the information that is asked for. Remember to save your application.

Also, I would like to suggest a few pointers to make this process as easy as possible. First, complete all of the information the online form is asking for. Most will not accept applications with incomplete information. Next would be to use correct capitalization and punctuation. Remember, this is not a text conversation. Text slang is not appropriate on a job application. Make sure you have spelled the words correctly. All of this is important as this will be the first impression you make on a potential new employer. Don’t be overwhelmed. Fill in the blanks. Smile and hit submit. This is the hardest part. Once you submit, now is just the waiting. You should receive a confirmation email. If you have not heard anything in two to three days, call the company. Ask for the hiring manager and confirm they received your application. Good luck and good job hunting!