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Finding a Job in the Modern Age

August 2020

If you haven’t navigated the job market in recent years, you will find a whole new world. In most cases, long gone are the days of walking in to speak with the manager, making a good impression with a firm handshake, and sliding your resume into his or her hand. No more do we simply search the newspaper want ads for job listings, and rarely do we sit down with a pen to fill out a paper application.

Almost everything is online now — from finding the job to applying and submitting your resume. Even the first round of interviewing is often through online videoconferencing.

If job hunting in an increasingly wired world is a new experience for you, consider this guide for navigating the job market and landing your dream job.

Job Boards

These days, most job opportunities are found through online sources, such as job boards where employers post openings and describe the position, job duties, and ideal candidate.

Some of the most popular job boards include Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, and Glassdoor, but services like Employ Florida can also be great resources for finding and applying for local jobs. These sites will allow you to post your resume for employers to review. They will also let you search for openings based on location, career field, or keyword.

Don’t overlook specialized job boards that cater to employees with specific qualifications or those seeking positions within a specific area. For example, some job boards cater to nonprofit companies, while others focus on candidates looking for jobs in specialized fields such as nursing, law, or finance. Others emphasize students right out of school or military veterans.

While they may have some differences, most job boards have the same basic features. They allow you to search for jobs you may qualify for, and often they let you apply directly from the site. Others may link you to the employer’s site to submit your resume and fill out an application.

Resume

One thing that has not changed is the importance of a well-written resume. According to Jessica Higginbotham, executive assistant at CareerSource North Florida, the average recruiter will spend 7.4 seconds skimming your resume before deciding whether to consider you for the position.

“In those seven seconds, it’s important that all of the things you really want to highlight are front and center,” she says. “The key here is to quantify your value to the hiring manager. Sure, you increased sales, but what if you increased sales by 273% in a year? Ideally, your resume should paint a picture of you and what you can bring to a new organization.”

There are multiple resume styles, but according to Indeed.com, a leading online job source, your resume should reflect your unique education, experience, and relevant skills. You might consider having multiple versions of your resume tailored to the jobs for which you’re applying.

Below are a few tips that will help you organize and design your resume. For more feedback, CareerSource North Florida offers a free, hands-on resource to help you create the perfect resume over the phone or via video chat.

  • Keywords — Look for keywords in a job posting that describe what the employer is looking for, and use those words in your resume.
  • Font — Always use a basic, clean font like Arial or Times New Roman. Keep your font size between 10 and 12 points. Selecting a clear, readable font will help make your resume appear more professional.
  • Information — While you might have extensive work or educational experience, it’s important to keep your resume as brief as possible without leaving out key information. Hiring managers typically don’t spend much time looking at a resume. Only including relevant information increases your chances that employers will be drawn in by the information in the resume that mirrors what they are looking for in a candidate.
  • Active voice — Your resume should be written using active language, without extraneous words. You should preferably use strong, active verbs such as “achieved,” “earned,” “completed”, or “accomplished.”
  • Organization — Whether you’re using a resume template or creating your own, you may find there are some sections you do not need. For example, if you are just graduating from college or high school and have not yet held a professional position, omit the “work history” section. Instead, you might replace it with an “experience” section, listing relevant coursework, academic achievements, internships, and extracurricular projects.
  • Design — Make sure your resume is clear and easy to read, with defined sections and appropriate margins.

Social Media

Networking is the new king of modern job hunting. That’s why some social media sites like LinkedIn have become go-to sources for employers and job seekers alike. According to The Muse, an online source for job seekers, 92% of employers are using social media to fill their ranks.

LinkedIn is probably the most popular social media site for job hunters. It is an excellent source to find job postings as well as to network with others within your field. But LinkedIn isn’t the only social media site companies are using. According to The Muse, 93% of employers use LinkedIn to find candidates. About 66% use Facebook, and 54% use Twitter.

The Muse also warns candidates to review and clean up their social media sites, because the majority of employers review a candidate’s social media posts for questionable content.

Remember, a job search is a two-way street. Just like employers are evaluating you to determine if you are a good fit for their team, you should be evaluating them to determine if they would be a good fit for you.

Good luck in your search.

Sharpen Your Skills

If you’re looking to further your career or start a new one, there are plenty of local resources that can help get you started. Reach out to one of the organizations below to set a path to your future.

Interested in working at SVEC? Be sure to check out our careers page.

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