Gone are the days when you searched the newspaper for interesting job opportunities, and dropped or posted off your CV in its physical state. Let’s have a look at the empowering role of digital as you investigate where – and for whom – you may like to work next.
THE leaps and bounds of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) mean that countless digital tools are now at your fingertips. On your laptop, desktop, or any manner of mobile device – to assist you in putting yourself forward more effectively for the position you rightfully deserve. (PS: If you’ve invested in post-graduate certification courses, this makes you all the more employable!)
Job apps and online boards
Select from the most visually appealing and user-friendly job portals that a Google search can elicit. These apps, boards, and portals should offer a place to type job-related keywords, and your ideal city in which to be based – jobs in Joburg, anyone? They should also offer a place to load your CV; the ability to sign up for relevant job alerts as these go live; and even CV-writing assistance. Or, perhaps, other pieces of advice that an applicant in the job market may find particularly useful.
The user-friendliness of your selected job board should also jump out at you, allowing you to search under a range of categories that include: job title, location; salary range; and how recently the position in question was advertised. Such keyword and category clout on a jobs board can prove a massive time saver for the busy and in-demand executives, searching IT and finance jobs, for example, that such a portal is ideally hoping to attract.
Social media impetus
You won’t believe how many times HR managers and job-search experts go looking for the way in which you come across on social media, in a bid to gauge your level of professionalism. So, whatever you may post to close friends during/after a wild weekend away, remember that what appears publicly should include: a decent image of you, past professional roles, and a little detail on the types of pastimes you engage in – such as sport or an interest in the arts – which reveal how genuine you are, and how important you find it to de-stress, or live a vibrant life, after hours.
Cloud technology
Don’t underestimate the power of the incredible cloud storage and transfer platforms out there, when you need to share a link or send out a large file – such as a portfolio of past work – to a prospective employer. When it comes to your CV, please review the “Job apps and online boards” section above. And remember that the best in the business will work hard to make your career profile visible when there is relevant interest; and, simultaneously, will protect any sensitive information by working closely only with the best-in-class executive search firms in the market.
What is vital is that industry professionals not only make use of the advancing technology in their daily lives to do their jobs more effectively, but also that they seek assistance from these tools in the quest to advance – onwards and upwards – along the career ladder.
At Executive Placements, our belief is that embracing these tools will help you find and be considered more accurately for that cream-of-the-crop industry role that you seek – by demonstrating your unique skills and experience; why you’re potentially the best candidate out there; and by helping recruiters and desirable employers to find you without a hitch.
By Charles Edelstein of Executive Placements
