The rapidly changing recruitment market: The 5 ways current (and future) job seekers must prepare
According to Renovo, the UK’s leading specialist provider of outplacement support, the recruitment market is swiftly changing and individuals entering the job market or those expecting to change roles in the next six months, should prepare.
Emma-Louise O’Brien, Renovo’s award-winning career coach, explained, “Even if you’re not job searching right now - if you’re furloughed, re-evaluating your career or are worried about being in an industry that’s been heavily impacted by COVID, you should be looking to future-proof your career.
“Things have changed. People may be expecting a long length of time between applying for a job and being offered a role or wondering if a first stage interview is face to face. These are likely not to be the case. The recruitment process can now be extremely quick, highly efficient and increasingly reliant on technology. Taking the necessary steps to understand and adjust a job search strategy will help people feel more in control.”
Renovo says there are 5 things current and future job seekers must be doing to prepare:
Create an applicant tracking-compliant CV
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly common in recruitment and is used by many companies to narrow down CVs before a recruiter sees them. AI can help applicants get noticed if they manage their applications well.
Many recruitment systems look for specific elements and layouts. For instance, they commonly seek clean formats, devoid of graphics, with text on no more than three sides of an A4 document.
Systems also scan CVs for the frequency of keywords that match the given job specification or qualities the role needs. Candidates who tailor their CV to each job specification and format them appropriately are more likely to find their application in the hands of a hiring manager or recruitment consultant.
Develop an all-star LinkedIn Profile
In a remote world, LinkedIn is an increasingly important space for networking, building relationships, uncovering opportunities and thinking about your career moving forward.
To optimise this process, developing an all-star Linkedin profile is essential and can be achieved by completing each section of your profile with your profile picture, job experience, key skills etc. Doing so makes your account easier to find and helps you become discoverable to recruiters, hiring managers and new connections.
A recently introduced feature that can also support your all-star profile status is a video story that allows you to introduce yourself and tell audiences who you are and why they should hire you. Job seekers can use this tool as an elevator pitch, broadcasting their skills, services and areas of expertise.
Implement a strategy for your job search
Developing a strategy is key for a job search as there is no one size fits all approach. There are four ways that candidates typically search for their next career - using a reactive approach, networking, speculative approaching employers or utilising recruiters. Job seekers should consider each to maximise their chances of success.
Candidates frequently take a reactive approach: applying for jobs online when a company posts them. However, it’s common for candidates to be successful finding jobs when they take a proactive stance and look at the hidden job market - seeking out available jobs before they are advertised online.
To tackle the hidden job market, network with people already known and reach out to extended networks through LinkedIn, for example. Research companies that may need your skills or are experiencing growth.
On top of this, tap into a company’s need for a solution to a potential problem they may be facing. It’s key to think about the period of change organisations have been through and how they may need someone with your skillset. Offering services and skills speculatively can be a promising way to find work while being a solution for an employer who needs help.
The final method is to utilise recruiters and headhunters who are actively looking for candidates on behalf of organisations and can present fresh possibilities to job seekers.
Prepare for a quick turn around
The current job market is experiencing fast-paced hiring; in some cases, organisations are finding candidates, interviewing them on the same day by phone or video and onboarding them soon after. Job seekers should get ready in several ways.
Firstly, have an ‘elevator pitch’ ready to quickly explain who you are and what your unique selling point is to anyone who displays interest in you or your application.
Beyond this, take time to understand recruitment technology - particularly for instances when interviews are called at very short notice. Not everyone is accustomed with video call technology and yet the majority of interviews are taking place in this way - some of which with AI technology. Understanding best practice helps to stay focused on presenting well rather than being concerned about the intricacies of the tech. Plan ahead on how to come across professionally on camera with head and shoulder shots and a clear background.
Be in charge of your own onboarding
In the past, when candidates secured a job, organisations were expected to be in charge of an individual’s onboarding process. Yet, with the increase of home and hybrid working, though organisation may still help greatly, individuals should be ready to take charge of how they integrate in a remote environment.
Consider the stakeholders you want to meet and how you can engage with them when not face to face. Think about where to add immediate value, the skills where you are confident in and those where you may need more support or mentoring. Finally, consider how to integrate into a new role from a technological perspective so that all the equipment is ready.
Renovo is the UK’s leading outplacement services specialist.