Pros:
The convenience factor
Online platforms allow you to upload an
application right from your home computer. Many company job sites even prompt
you to create a personal account, so that you can easily log back in and save
changes until you're ready to click submit. Quick and painless right?
Especially so in comparison with my parents' experience of getting dressed up
and handing in their materials in person (the horror!).
Timeliness is the key
Most job postings are time sensitive. This means
us job seekers have to act fast to throw our names in the hat before the
position gets filled. That's why I receive a stream of notifications in my
inbox every morning from LinkedIn and other job search engines that inform me
on up-to-date opportunities that match my interests and experience. Constant
updates make it less likely for me to miss those golden windows of hiring
opportunities.
Customized searches make the impossible, possible
Looking for an entry-level job as a geologist in
Columbus, Ohio that pays $40,000? You got it (it actually exists, I searched
it). Customized searches allow you to narrow down opportunities by location,
profession and salary, and will even let you know if you have any 2nd or 3rd
degree connections in your desired field.
There's an app for that
My smart phone is always at reach. It holds apps
that enhance my productivity in the gym, at school and, as of late, in my job
search. Most competitive job search engines and professional networking sites
have gone mobile (its 2016, people). New research shows that 72 percent of
active job searchers have used their mobile devices to view a company career
site and 45 percent have actually applied for a job via that device. While I
haven't pressed submit on an application from my mobile device, I have found it
useful in browsing on-the-go. And let's face it, I'm better off killing time on
my LinkedIn app than on Snapchat.
Companies are prioritizing online recruiting
According to LinkedIn's 2016 Global Recruiting
Trends, social professional networks came out on top in sources for quality
hires, followed by internet job boards and employee referral programs. Data
shows this shift towards online and social media recruiting is here to stay. As
a millennial and prospective hire, just responding to this trend by
participating in the online job market demonstrates to employers that I am
tech-savvy and current.
Cons:
The internet is only the tip of the iceberg
Despite the surge in online recruiting, these
sites don't actually paint the full picture of all the opportunities out there.
According to Forbes, about 80% of available jobs are never advertised. Of
course, this percentage varies based on industry, but putting all your eggs in
one virtual basket ignores the equally important, if not more so, other side of
the equation: your personal and professional network. I have found these people
to be my most invaluable resources, much more willing to answer my individual
questions and concerns than the automated computer responses.
The convenience factor is a double-edged sword
If the seamless, straightforward process of
applying online appeals to you, chances are, it appeals to everyone else too.
Countless times I have shied away from applying for a job because the number of
total applicants has read upwards of 100. By nature, online job sites tend to
receive larger volumes of applicants and it's easy to get lost in the pack,
despite your qualifications. Many company websites wont even give you a contact
to address your cover letter too, and who doesn't feel a little ridiculous
typing To whom it may concern...?
That moment when Siri says, “recalculating”
You've trusted Siri to navigate you to your
desired location but here you are at a dead end. What do you do? Ask for
directions from the friendly pedestrian, of course. Technology is great but it
is also limited. Just as Siri doesn't always get you from point A to point B, a
website alone might not be enough for you to land that dream job. My biggest
gripe about the virtual job search is that it can be impersonal and negates the
power of the first impression. I realize that may sound shocking coming from a
millennial, but if there's one thing I've learned throughout this whole process
it's that nothing beats an honest, face-to-face conversation.
In 2016, I hope to find a healthy balance between
relying on the internet and reaching out to my network to find the position that
is right for me.
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