If you are thinking of looking for a job this year, or are already searching for one, be warned: for some job seekers, the rules have changed. Technology and social media have altered the way some employers consider candidates. Simply sifting through job postings and sending out applications en masse was never a good route to success, and is even less so now.
One of the most important questions that many job seekers can ask these days is this: How searchable am I? Some employers aren't even bothering to post jobs, but are instead searching online for the right candidate, said Barbara Safani, owner of Career Solvers, a career management firm in New York.
Not having an internet presence can be damaging, Safani said. She is among those who recommend that job seekers spend serious time detailing their skills and experience on social networking sites like LinkedIn and Twitter, with an eye toward making their names a magnet for search engines.
"Having a blog can be a good way to show that you are a thought leader" while improving your professional visibility, she said. And consider YouTube as a way to enhance your searchability, she advised . If an employer comes across a video of you giving a speech or a training presentation, she said, you may gain an advantage.
More companies are turning to Twitter to broadcast job openings , so you should use it to follow recruiters, industry leaders and individual firms, said Alison Doyle, a job search specialist for About.com.
On Facebook, "liking" a company can mean receiving early notice of job openings and other news. But privacy concerns make Facebook tricky, Doyle said.
In the age of online applications , one school of thought holds that cover letters are a waste of time, but Doyle disagrees. Cover letters are still a great way to differentiate yourself from the competition , she said — and the rise of applications via cellphone just means they should be more concise, and job specific.
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