In our increasingly digital world, it can be tricky to make yourself stand out to potential employers. With the internet removing geographical barriers from job hunting, there is more competition for every vacant job. First impressions are generally made through a screen rather than face-to-face, so it has never been more essential to make yourself desirable to potential employers.
Technology is woven into every aspect of our lives, from shopping to socialisation. Having a successful career in the modern age generally means having a decent understanding of technology. Thus it makes sense that technology plays a part in our education. Here are ways to pave the digital path to a successful career without ever leaving your home.
Study Online
One of the most effective ways of increasing your chances at employment is to obtain a formal education. Many jobs require or prefer applicants to hold a specific qualification, but this can be tricky for those with other commitments and responsibilities who don’t have much free time. Thankfully, these days you can obtain a degree without ever setting foot on a university campus.
Learning online is the solution to many of the barriers that prevent willing participants to engage in formal education. Studying from your computer means you can slot studying into your life wherever it fits. This flexibility and freedom make it possible to squeeze in some studying between other tasks and jobs, as well as omitting the need for transportation. Online students can still connect with other students and staff as well as access many of the benefits offered to students.
Polish your online presence
Many employers admit to checking out applicants’ social media profiles to see what kind of person they might be hiring. If your social media isn’t something you would feel comfortable showing your potential boss, you may want to change your privacy settings to hide it from public view or remove anything that doesn’t portray you as responsible and professional.
Social media isn’t the only online representation of yourself. You can create profiles on websites such as Linkedin, which in addition to acting as a kind of online résumé, can bring in job offers from companies you hadn’t even considered. Linkedin is popular with recruiters and is a great resource for anyone who wants to increase their professional online presence or practice networking. Ensure your profile is comprehensive and details your education, past work experience, special skills, and anything else you could bring to a workplace.
In addition to making a good impression on potential employers, a professional and well-presented online presence will let recruiters know that you have some digital literacy.
Refine your résumé
Did you know that some job opportunities will lead to the employer receiving hundreds of applications? You need to make your résumé stand out from the crowd. It should be up-to-date and detailed without including too many irrelevant details that won’t interest a potential employer. One way to make sure your resume is appropriate is to tweak your resume slightly for each job application. Highlight the educational, professional and personal experiences that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Tailoring your resume and cover letter can be tedious, but if you’re applying for a job you really want, a good first impression may be the difference between being hired or not. After all, you may be competing with dozens of other applicants, and nobody has time to carefully read that many applications. If a potential employer skims your resume and doesn’t see anything that catches their eye, they may discard it and never pick it up again.
Make sure your resume is visually well-presented. Lay out your information in a comprehensive and visually pleasing way- but don’t go overboard in decorating it, at the risk of taking away from its professionalism.
Improve your digital literacy
Technology expands and evolves almost as rapidly as the universe itself. Chances are that some aspects of your job- if not every aspect of your job- will rely on technology. You don’t want to lose out on a job opportunity because another applicant had a better understanding of software or a more refined and accessible online presence. Improving your digital literacy could be the deciding factor in you getting the job of your dreams.
Utilise all that technology has to offer
You have a world of information at your fingertips. Use the resources you have. Websites like Linkedin, free educational resources like blogs and seminars, free resume templates, online job advertisements, and so much more. Use technology as a tool rather than a hurdle.
