We’ve all been there. The moment that you finally find the perfect job for you. You’re positive that you have read and re-read every last detail of the job description online and you couldn’t be more sure that this is the one. So you do it. You upload your resume, fill out the information and you click “submit.” And then you wait…sometimes, indefinitely.

The Internet has changed everything about our lives. From Amazon Prime to Snap Chat filters, we do everything online. Including, job searching. If you have experienced this process, I’m sure that you have often wondered yourself, “where does my resume go and does it get to the right person?”

As a Recruiter, I can testify that the number one complaint of modern day jobseekers is that no one seems to call them back. Hopefully in this blog post, you will not only get the answers to the above questions, but you will also receive valuable insight on navigating your job search successfully using today’s online job boards.

Today’s Job Search 2.0:

Indeed. Monster. ZipRecruiter. These websites dominate the job searching web space. They are traditionally the first place you go when you are entering the market, and for the most part, they all work the same. The actual process occurs through email. Once the “submit” button is clicked, the resume is sent to the hiring manager’s email address via that website. Then, the resume can either be downloaded in PDF format and reviewed by the hiring manager, or, the resume is sent directly to the company’s database. This should offer a bit of relief on the jobseekers side to know that your information is, in fact, going to the correct place. However, like all things, whether you get called or not by that company almost always depends on the details.

Applicant Tracking Systems and Filtering Technology:

Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, are a staple in recruiting, or hiring of any employee almost everywhere. ATS acts as a database and is important for many reasons such as keeping up with resumes, knowing which person has applied to what and systematically tracking the progress of that person’s hiring process and continued employment within the company. While you think of yourself as just one individual applying for just one job, consider the overall size of the company and the total number of employees. This information can quickly add up and for that reason, our ATS is our most valued piece of technology. And to be honest, anyone in the Human Resources profession today would be lost without it.

In addition to the basic ATS, some companies even have the technology to actually go through and filter the resume into the job that you applied for. This is where the average jobseeker gets into trouble. These applied filters have the ability to go through your resume and pick out keywords that match up to the job description. This process is overall very similar to how you would choose filters in an online shopping preference. By filtering keywords and phrases such as, “plc troubleshooting,” or “ERP systems,” the ATS is then able to categorize those skill sets for the hiring manager or company. So, you can see how if you do not have the relevant information within your resume, your online application can easily fall through the cracks.

Social Media Job Boards:

In addition to using job boards, almost all companies that are hiring are adapting quickly to using social media. Facebook recently rolled out their own job board and LinkedIn has owned that space for a few years now. In fact, due to the low unemployment rate we are experiencing on a national level, job boards are almost phasing out, while social media advertising is becoming preferred. This method is preferable to jobseekers too, as it allows for some real life interfacing between hiring managers and jobseekers. Another benefit of using social media platforms for your job search is the search capabilities of hashtags.

The Future of the Job Search and AI:

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is quickly taking over the filtering process on a whole new level. While there are already recruiting websites that utilize AI, with the invention of IBM’s Watson and other progressive technology, the future of job searching will depend on even more detailed resume submissions. In other words, AI will eventually have the ability to not only filter out keywords, but actually make the decision for you (based on the overall criteria, not just a few keywords) on which candidate is the best for the job at hand. Eventually, AI could even be utilized to simultaneously run a Google search on each candidate as well.

Resume Tips On Internet Job Searching:

With all of this new technology coming at us at such a rapid rate, how can we guarantee results in our job search? How can we make sure that our resumes that we submit for our perfect job are effectively seen and how do we stack the odds in our favor? I have a few tips:

1. Let the Job Description Be Your Guide: Always read the job description and make sure that your resume contains the technical information required for that description. A resume is all about hard skills, or technical skills. While hiring managers are certainly looking for someone with “great communication skills” and the “ability to problem solve,” the first thing the hiring manager will notice will be your technical skill set. By highlighting those hard skills, you will assure the hiring company that you have the applicable experience suitable for the job. For example, if the company is seeking a Controls Technician, you would want to make sure that PLCs (and the preferred brand, if that is also listed) are one of the main skills on your resume.
2. Job Titles For The Win: The job title is the first filter applied in the process. Furthermore, for more technical positions, it is crucial that you have applicable experience in that role in order to apply. If a company is looking for a Supply Chain Manager, they will more than likely hire a Supply Chain Manager. So, it is very important for the jobseeker to understand not only the role that they are applying for, but also have the previous experience in that role in order to be considered for that role in the future.
3. A Tailored Resume Is the Best Resume: I know that if you are heavily involved in the job seeking market, it can become overwhelming to try and customize your resume to every single job that you apply for, but overall, you will get the best results in doing so. Before hitting “submit” always double check that you have revised your resume to include not only the job title and the keywords, but any other experience that is applicable to the job description, even if it is only industry specific.
4. Complete The Application: I have seen some interesting resumes. And some great ones too. The ones that stand out to me are the ones that clearly detail the experience that my clients need and do not cut corners on experience or information. Remember, this is your first (and sometimes only) introduction. Leaving any of the information blank, or even submitting a blank resume, or resumes that only have your contact information and name do not help hiring managers or companies decipher your skills accurately. Furthermore, if your competition for the job has completed this information, they already have the advantage.
5. Use Your Connections: Have a friend that works for your dream company? Ask for a referral. A lot of my clients value their employee’s referrals to job openings. If you do not know anyone that works for your ideal company, utilize social media. You can easily connect with other professionals in your industry, or join a FaceBook group that shares a job related interest.

Now that you know how job boards and internet job searching really work, hopefully you will be a lot less frustrated when it comes to navigating today’s job market. And, by practicing these tips, next time you hit “submit,” you’ll be ready! You have the power of the internet in your corner, so go forth and conquer!