10 Ways Job Searching Has Changed in the Last Decade

Thanks to the high job vacancy rate in the post-pandemic economy, many job seekers are revving up their job search. And though some job seekers may be people who haven’t pursued paid work in years for personal reasons, others may be workers who have been hibernating in their job during the pandemic.

Given the rapid advances in technology over the last decade, the job application process has undergone a relatively dramatic, yet nuanced change. To help you understand these changes and have a successful job search, FlexJobs has identified 10 crucial changes that have happened to the job application process in the last 10 years.

10 Things to Do in Your Job Search

According to FlexJobs’ team of career experts, it’s not uncommon for job seekers to have similar beliefs about the job search and application process. “In working with thousands of clients over the last few years, we’ve seen the same job seeker misconceptions pop up routinely.”

“Many of the missteps we see,” she continues, “revolve around a misunderstanding of how the job search and application process has changed in the last decade.”

So, what do you have to do for your job search and job application today that you didn’t have to do 10 years ago?

1. Edit Your History

While updating your resume every six to 12 months is a good idea, including all of your work history is not.

As a rule, employers expect your resume to focus on only your most recent and relevant experience, which is usually the last 10 to 15 years. Even if your early work history is impressive, it may not be as relevant to the position you’re applying for and could distract the hiring manager from your recent accomplishments.

2. Make It Modern

In addition to removing older work history for your resume, consider deleting other “old school” elements from your resume, too.

For example, employers expect candidates to have references, so there’s no longer a need to include “references available upon request” on your resume. Instead, use that space to include additional examples of your skills and abilities.

Also, consider ditching the header with your contact information. While you still might want to include your city, state, or zip code for a remote job with a location requirement, there’s no longer any reason to include your street address.

3. Your Address Matters

In addition to deleting your street address from your resume, you may want to consider deleting your email address, too—in favor of a new one.

You might be very attached to your AOL, Hotmail, or Yahoo email address, and that’s understandable. You’ve been together a long time. But, for your modern job search, switch to a more current email provider, like Gmail, for your job applications. It’s free and shows that you’re keeping up with technology changes.

4. Focus On Keywords

Many employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to help keep track of who has applied for what. An ATS also helps hiring managers decide who to hire and who to pass over based, in part, on how well your resume is optimized for the ATS.

You should create a custom resume (and cover letter) for every job application you submit. But, to really help your application stand out (and get past the ATS), make sure you incorporate keywords from the job posting. Not only will this help your resume rank higher in the ATS, but it will also help show the hiring manager that you speak the same language as them and are likely a good cultural fit for the company.

5. Qualifications and Skills

Another modern update to make to your resume is to delete the “objective” that older resumes often include. Employers know your objective is to get a job.

Instead of an objective statement, include a professional qualifications or skills summary statement. This brief statement (four to five sentences) appears at the top of your resume. Since it’s often the first thing a recruiter reads, it’s the best place to mention your top skills that make you the perfect candidate for the job. To help with the ATS, include a few keywords in this section.

6. Play Up Your Remote Skills

No matter where you want to work, in today’s post-pandemic job search, job seekers should rebrand themselves as remote workers. Even if you don’t want a remote job, highlighting your success in remote, flexible, and hybrid work environments will be crucial to your job search success.

Over the last 10 years, the work world has changed. The ability to work with varying technologies, people in other time zones and cultures, and being flexible and adaptable to changing situations are essential skills employers will look for in applicants. Make sure to mention these skills on all of your application materials (your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, etc.).

7. Get Online

The internet is more than funny cat memes and viral videos. These days, it’s a crucial element of your job search.

In addition to finding openings online, recruiters use it to find applicants. So, make sure you have, at a minimum, a complete and optimized LinkedIn profile. This helps you appear in recruiter searches and can also help you when you apply for any job.

These days, nearly 87% of recruiters will look at your LinkedIn profile before doing anything else with your application. Beyond checking for red flags that could hinder your application, one study found that resumes with a link to a complete and optimized LinkedIn profile were 71% more likely to score an interview than resumes that link to a bare-bones profile!

8. Say “Hello”

A personalized greeting on your cover letter is a great way to stand out to employers. But, in today’s job search, using “To Whom It May Concern” will quickly signal that you’re behind the times.

With any luck, there’s a name listed in the job posting, but if there isn’t, try searching online for the right person. Once you find a name, though, avoid using “Mr.” or “Ms.” since you can’t be sure how the reader identifies. These days, it’s perfectly acceptable to start your cover letter with “Dear John” or “Dear Jane.”

If you can’t find a specific name for the evaluation, you can use “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Recruiter.” Or, consider leaving the salutation off and instead jump right into your cover letter.

9. Video Interviews

Even before the pandemic, video interviews were growing more popular with recruiters. Video interviews allow employers to meet with candidates without the expense or hassle of trying to get everyone in the office at the same time.

During the pandemic, video interviewing became a necessity, and many employers discovered the advantages of it. As a result, many hiring managers are making video interviews a part of the application process. If you haven’t had a video interview yet, here are a few quick tips to prepare you:

  • Test your tech: Before the interview, make sure your equipment works and you’ve got the software you need downloaded and updated on your device.
  • Check yourself out: Most platforms give you the chance to test and preview yourself, so take advantage of this and make sure you can hear yourself clearly and that you are well lit.
  • Dress the part: In addition to dressing professionally, consider wearing dark, solid colors instead of light or patterned ones.

Also, consider your background. What’s behind you can tell an interviewer a lot about you as a candidate and as a person. When in doubt, a tidy and neutral background is your best bet. However, if it’s not something you can do for whatever reason, a virtual background is a good backup. Just choose one that’s professional and not distracting. That doesn’t mean you can’t use a “fun” background, but a beach-themed background may not send the right message.

10. Asynchronous Interviews

An asynchronous interview, sometimes known as a one-way interview, is a prescreening tool that companies use early in the hiring process as a screening tool. Companies use one-way interviews to screen more candidates in less time and to assess your technical skills.

Often part of your initial job application, you’ll be asked to video-record your answers to several prescreening questions. In many ways, a one-way interview is similar to a phone interview in that it’s usually short and only asks a few questions. The major difference is there’s no back-and-forth conversation.

Looking Ahead

While some of these job application changes may come as no surprise to some, other changes may seem highly futuristic. Whatever changes the next 10 years bring for job seekers, FlexJobs has you covered.

To stay on top of what’s new and different in your job search, consider joining FlexJobs. In addition to our jobs database, you’ll get exclusive access to webinars that can help you in your job search, access to members-only resources, and so much more. Take the tour and learn about all the advantages of a FlexJobs membership!

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