Modern Job Search Strategies

In a modern job search, there is so much more employment opportunity than there was just a few years ago. Thanks to job boards and social networking, there is so much more opportunity to find, research and apply for what seems like many more jobs.

But, does this variety actually offer more opportunity, or just result in more confusion? Most surveys currently suggest that with job boards only being the source of 12% of fulfilled jobs, that actually these new job search systems simply result in more job search frustration.

Job Search basics

What has to be remembered, is that although the opportunities seem greater in number, the basic truth is that the number of jobs is solely dependent on the need of employers from both the public/government and private sector for talent, and supplementing their workforce. Hence the basics of a modern job search come back to the question: how do employers fulfil their vacancies?

Modern employers

As has always been the case, many vacancies are fulfilled internally through promotion. This should be seen by all as a good thing, as employers want to encourage the internal spirit of their work place as a good place to work. The amount of internal promotion and development varies between employer to employer, but anywhere between a third and 90% of vacancies can be fulfilled internally. On average, one third of vacancies are fulfilled internally, and are nominally closed to external hires.

The old primary source of new hires was advertising, either via direct newspaper adverts or through recruitment agencies. While still accounting for one third of fulfilled vacancies, the biggest change in this sector has been from local newspapers to online jobs boards. From launching in 2000, job boards now account for 12% of fulfilled vacancies, which is just over half of the market share which used to be fulfilled by local newspapers. While many may think that the market share is higher, the truth is that most of the good and active local job boards are actually owned by the local newspapers, who now offer a blended media package across a range of formats, which hence supplements their income over greatly degradating it.

Modern job search

But the advertising method of gain new hires and employees is on the wane, thanks to the internet. The fastest expanding sector in recruitment is hiring known people. Traditionally made up of employers hiring people from their suppliers customers or competitors, the lower cost and known knowledge of the hiring company by the new employee also means quicker integration and hence operational efficiency. This method is now supplemented by two new tactics, with firstly employers paying employees to recommend new hires, and secondly employers using social media search methods to find the exact people with the required skills to fulfil their vacancies. It is postulated by the employment industry that with so much growth at business networking groups such as LinkedIn, where members can upload their CV/resume for free, that CV/resume databases in the future will not be required or commercial.

The question therefore comes down to what the modern job seeker can do to improve their job search, in both speed to employment and opportunity? Firstly, even if you are looking for a local job, no longer can you rely on just skimming the newspaper and job boards for b adverts to respond to. With only 12% of jobs fulfilled that way, you are reducing your chances of employment by 90%. This should be but one strategy in your job search.

Core Job Search Strategies

Modern job seekers also have to deploy three further strategies.

Firstly, you already have a target job in mind, so why not extend that and have a target employer in mind? I suggest that you initially take 10 potential employers, and research them thoroughly. From this you should gain an idea of what they do, how they do it, the way they operate and where your skills could fit in their organisation. Now using social media tools such as LinkedIn to find the name of the potential hiring manager, approach them via an Informational Interview with a request for a meeting.

Secondly, when you know that employers are paying employees to find new hires, the power of Job Search Networking is greatly increased. Where do the employers go who recruit in your sector? Is there a local business group, such as a chamber of commerce; or a professional sector body covering your profession, such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants? A simple pre-formed Elevator Pitch and the premise that you probably won't secure a job at the meeting, but a follow up coffee could easily secure an introduction, should see more opportunity come your way.

Thirdly, make sure that your Social Media Profile is on the internet in the right places and in the right order. 80% of employers now undertake initial background checks on job applicants to job adverts through a simple Google-based search of your name. Hence not having a social media profile is as bad as having one which includes your professional profile next to pictures from your lads stag do in Spain. Employers want socially connected people, but if you place it on the internet then its fair game in consideration and not privacy intrusion.

While ten years ago a job search was looking through newspapers, the new opportunities offered by both new tools and techniques need to be applied so that they give you the best chance of employment. So don't just replace a newspaper with a job board, look at the three additional strategies - Informational Interview, Networking and Social Media profile - to get employed quicker in the job you want.

Good Luck!

Ian R McAllister is the founder of a UK group focused on recruitment and employment in skills-short professional employment sectors, presently covering IT, telecoms and project management. The group also provides professional candidate information and services via a series of online resources, including the Professional CV [http://www.professional-cv.co.uk/] and Executive CV services