The Job Market and Its Ever Changing Landscape

Written by: Chane da Costa

Gone are the days of landing jobs via your personal network and newspapers. Embracing the digital era, we adjust our job search by applying electronically via email and job portals. There has been a substantial transformation in the landscape of the job market and what hiring managers look for in the digital era. Are you prepared?

Before the convenience of the World Wide Web (WWW), there weren’t as many job opportunities or means in which to apply for them. People used to get jobs at the same company a family member was working at, through a friend or acquaintance and by means of going to the company and having a chat to the manager for a possible position available. There also used to be job advertisements pinned up on community notice boards and advertised in the local newspaper. In 1989 when the WWW was invented we saw the beginning of the Digital Era, when CV’s were neatly created on a computer and faxed and emailed to hiring employers. A gap in the recruitment was then seen and online community and business job portals were then created. So all very well that we know the evolution of applying for jobs, but how does this affect us as individuals?

Advantages of the changed market landscape

•  It is convenient to apply on online job portals.
• It provides easy access to research the company’s information and background for interviews
• It grants you, as the candidate, the opportunity to establish yourself as a thought leader and ultimately build and maintain a robust network of contacts through establishing connections via social media. This also serves to reflect your personal brand and provides hiring managers with more insight into determining if you are the right fit for their company culture.
• It is part of the “Green Initiative” and does not waste paper.
•  It saves time, by uploading your CV onto the portal and applying for jobs that are suitable for you.
• You have access to markets/industries you never thought you would be able to be in.
• You are able to apply for positions across local and geographical borders. It also allows for electronic interviews to be conducted via Skype or other useful electronic platforms.
• There is a larger variety of positions that you gain access to.

Disadvantages of the changed market landscape:

• Your CV gets lost in the database because of the abundance of applications each role receives.
• The format of the CV may distort on the hiring managers computer and then be disposed of.
• There are many other candidates who are exposed to that position, which will be competition for you.
• Companies who have access to the databases may call you for a position that you may not be interested in which can be a nuisance.
•  Hiring managers may search your online personal reputation; this may assist or forfeit your chances of landing the position.
• It is easy to misrepresent yourself by creating an alternate online reputation that does not align in reality.
• You constantly have to update your CV on all the job and social media platforms for personal brand consistency. Just ensure that you are active on these platforms so that you can respond to hiring managers within time.

Having noted the advantages and disadvantages of the changed market landscape, you may ask the question – How do I use this to my advantage to land the perfect position? Well whether or not you are a graduate or someone who has been in the working world for a while, these tips will definitely differentiate you in this digital era. 

• Do not be afraid to start at the bottom in a career that you are passionate about. It is better to do what you love and love what you do, than to work in a job that you do half-heartedly because it is not where your interests are.
• Get involved in your community. Hiring employers like to see that their employees are well rounded individuals and are involved in activities outside work. By having a well-balanced life you show that you are able to apply the same practicality in the working environment.
• Ensure that your full profile is featured on top recruitment boards with a comprehensive and complete CV and portfolio if you have one.
• Ensure your social media is not thwarting your job search. Manage your online reputation with a complete LinkedIn profile for hiring managers to view your professional experience.
•  If you have a Facebook, Twitter and other social media or blog platforms make sure it is in line with employers expectations and that there is no explicit or inappropriate content exposed online for their viewing.
• Use these tools to your advantage. Create an online personal brand and position yourself as the person you would like others to view you as. Whether you’re a passionate foodie who knows how to code or a geek who works in hospitality, allow room for a balanced lifestyle and don’t be afraid to reflect those quirky aspects of yourself.

·         Remember hiring managers are also human, so whatever is on your social media platforms doesn’t necessarily have to be work orientated, but represent who you are and the values you would like to reflect. Hiring managers look to employ those with a bit more substance than the ‘sleep-eat-work routine’ type.

·         Make yourself available. If you aren’t able to answer your phone, email or social media platforms hiring managers will simply move on to the next available person.

These aren’t the only aspects that hiring managers are now taking into consideration in the changed job market landscape. Employers now want employees who aren’t programmed to complete certain tasks but look for future employees who are fast on their feet and out the box thinkers. People who are complex and individualistic and are proud to be different compared to the average Joe. These are also people who have interest in working in teams and present leadership potential. At the end of the day it all falls down to individuals who are hungry for success and seek more responsibility.

So do yourself a favour and Google yourself to see if the content that comes up with your name, represents and matches who you truly are in reality. The WWW is like a highway of content, your online representation is like a massive billboard – would you really like to see yourself posted on a an advertisement across the N1 with a duck-face pose and bathroom tiles in the background, while the caption read ‘hire me’?