Over the years as technology has advanced we have also noticed the change in the way people search and apply for jobs. The days of writing a CV and posting it to several different companies, in the hope of an acceptance, is now a thing of the past. Everything is now online, so unfortunately those that still prefer the personal touch of sending a letter may be left behind. The positive side of applying for jobs online is that it is instant, you can send your CV and job application and it is then received in a matter of seconds for the employer or company to look at. The negative side of applying for jobs online is that it has almost become harder to get a job. People find that, now everything is online, there are a number of tests you have to do in the application process before you get through to an actual human being.
The way to successfully apply to job vacancies online is to understand the job application process and to be prepared. Every job application is different, it is not the same as just sending off your CV like before, you now have to go into depth about your experiences and what skills you could bring to the job.
Skype Interviews
Skype is an online application which is free to use when connected to WiFi and can connect people via messaging, voice calls and video calls. Various companies like to use Skype for face to face video calls. Skype video calls provide an efficient service whereby the interviewer and interviewee can have an interview without having to travel anywhere. Some may say that Skype video calls can provide a more comfortable atmosphere as the applicant could be having the interview in the comfort of their own home rather than have to travel to an office for a more formal interview.
Another great thing about Skype is that you can talk to someone anywhere in the world so if you are based in London and are applying to a job abroad then you can speak to someone who may be in an entirely different country such as New York.
Tips: When conducting a Skype interview you must always make sure that you have a strong internet connection. Be aware that your interviewer may not hear as clearly as they would in person so always speak slowly and clearly. Take your time. This is your time to shine so use this opportunity to explain what you can bring to the company. Although you may be at home, you should still look and dress smartly as if you were in a formal interview.
Social Media
We have previous mentioned searching for jobs using social media however we want to express the importance of having a social media account/s when searching for jobs. When applying for jobs LinkedIn is the number one social media account to have. Here you can show where you have worked and create an online CV. You can also go into depth with the experience you have collected over the years through various jobs. Employers can look at this information and can see if you match the credentials for the job application.
Social media will provide an overview of yourself and will let employers see what other people think of you as a person along with recommendations and endorsements which you can gain through LinkedIn over time. Employers will also take a look at other social media accounts such as your Facebook and Twitter. They will be able to find out who you are through these accounts and will be able to create an idea of what you are like as a personal along with your hobbies.
Tips: Think of your social media as your USP (Unique Selling Point). Employers will look at your social media the same way that you will check reviews for various products online. Make sure that you don’t have anything that may jeopardise your job application such as posting bad language and offensive photos. Always think of others when making a post online and think of who might see that post.
Video Interviews
If you are not offered to arrange a video call such as a video interview through Skype then you may be asked to produce a video interview which you can record and send back to the employer for them to see. Usually what happens in a job application is that after you have taken the first steps you will be asked to produce a video to send them online. You are usually given a set amount of questions and are to answer them in a set amount of time.
Tips: Make sure that you are prepared and produce a video which is clear to view and clear to hear. Make sure that you answer the set questions fully and with confidence. Make sure that you have done your research first and use this chance to sell yourself to the company and express your qualities and what you can bring to that company if you were to get the job.
Telephone Interviews
The same way that Skype has become a popular interview form so has telephone interviews with conference calling. In today’s busy world conference calls are a great way to interview a candidate with many members of the same company listening in and inputting their thoughts and questions into the interview. Interviews such as this may benefit the candidate by there being many members of the company having their say on that particular candidate and is a great way to get an overall view for that candidate.
Tips: Any interview can be difficult for the candidate. Our main tip is to be prepared and show confidence. With many members of the company in the same call you can have a variety of questions thrown at you so make sure that you have done your homework and researched the company in full so that you can answer as clearly as possible.
A Personal Website
Get yourself online with your very own personal website. Many are choosing to create their own website to express their experiences and qualities. Candidates can use their personal website to go into depth about who they are and what they have experienced so far. You can add on online portfolio for employers to see visually what you have done such as artwork can be shown online or if you are a journalist you can list various articles for employers to view and read.
Tips: The idea of personal websites is to make them all about you. Use your own website to sell yourself to those that may view your website. You have to remember that you are up against many other applicants so what can you do to make yourself more appealing.
Overall Tips for Job Applications
Understand that in the future job searching will change even more so make sure that you stay up to date with how to apply for jobs online. Use what you can to benefit yourself. With a CV you can only use two sides of a page to sell yourself however now you can do much more online and you have more space to write about who you are and what experiences you have. Don’t use the same CV for each job application, make sure that you tailor each CV to each job application. That way you are putting more thought into what you are writing and picking out the experience you have gained which will suit that particular job.
Over the years as technology has advanced we have also noticed the change in the way people search and apply for jobs. The days of writing a CV and posting it to several different companies, in the hope of an acceptance, is now a thing of the past. Everything is now online, so unfortunately those that still prefer the personal touch of sending a letter may be left behind. The positive side of applying for jobs online is that it is instant, you can send your CV and job application and it is then received in a matter of seconds for the employer or company to look at. The negative side of applying for jobs online is that it has almost become harder to get a job. People find that, now everything is online, there are a number of tests you have to do in the application process before you get through to an actual human being.
The way to successfully apply to job vacancies online is to understand the job application process and to be prepared. Every job application is different, it is not the same as just sending off your CV like before, you now have to go into depth about your experiences and what skills you could bring to the job.
Skype Interviews
Skype is an online application which is free to use when connected to WiFi and can connect people via messaging, voice calls and video calls. Various companies like to use Skype for face to face video calls. Skype video calls provide an efficient service whereby the interviewer and interviewee can have an interview without having to travel anywhere. Some may say that Skype video calls can provide a more comfortable atmosphere as the applicant could be having the interview in the comfort of their own home rather than have to travel to an office for a more formal interview.
Another great thing about Skype is that you can talk to someone anywhere in the world so if you are based in London and are applying to a job abroad then you can speak to someone who may be in an entirely different country such as New York.
Tips: When conducting a Skype interview you must always make sure that you have a strong internet connection. Be aware that your interviewer may not hear as clearly as they would in person so always speak slowly and clearly. Take your time. This is your time to shine so use this opportunity to explain what you can bring to the company. Although you may be at home, you should still look and dress smartly as if you were in a formal interview.
Social Media
We have previous mentioned searching for jobs using social media however we want to express the importance of having a social media account/s when searching for jobs. When applying for jobs LinkedIn is the number one social media account to have. Here you can show where you have worked and create an online CV. You can also go into depth with the experience you have collected over the years through various jobs. Employers can look at this information and can see if you match the credentials for the job application.
Social media will provide an overview of yourself and will let employers see what other people think of you as a person along with recommendations and endorsements which you can gain through LinkedIn over time. Employers will also take a look at other social media accounts such as your Facebook and Twitter. They will be able to find out who you are through these accounts and will be able to create an idea of what you are like as a personal along with your hobbies.
Tips: Think of your social media as your USP (Unique Selling Point). Employers will look at your social media the same way that you will check reviews for various products online. Make sure that you don’t have anything that may jeopardise your job application such as posting bad language and offensive photos. Always think of others when making a post online and think of who might see that post.
Video Interviews
If you are not offered to arrange a video call such as a video interview through Skype then you may be asked to produce a video interview which you can record and send back to the employer for them to see. Usually what happens in a job application is that after you have taken the first steps you will be asked to produce a video to send them online. You are usually given a set amount of questions and are to answer them in a set amount of time.
Tips: Make sure that you are prepared and produce a video which is clear to view and clear to hear. Make sure that you answer the set questions fully and with confidence. Make sure that you have done your research first and use this chance to sell yourself to the company and express your qualities and what you can bring to that company if you were to get the job.
Telephone Interviews
The same way that Skype has become a popular interview form so has telephone interviews with conference calling. In today’s busy world conference calls are a great way to interview a candidate with many members of the same company listening in and inputting their thoughts and questions into the interview. Interviews such as this may benefit the candidate by there being many members of the company having their say on that particular candidate and is a great way to get an overall view for that candidate.
Tips: Any interview can be difficult for the candidate. Our main tip is to be prepared and show confidence. With many members of the company in the same call you can have a variety of questions thrown at you so make sure that you have done your homework and researched the company in full so that you can answer as clearly as possible.
A Personal Website
Get yourself online with your very own personal website. Many are choosing to create their own website to express their experiences and qualities. Candidates can use their personal website to go into depth about who they are and what they have experienced so far. You can add on online portfolio for employers to see visually what you have done such as artwork can be shown online or if you are a journalist you can list various articles for employers to view and read.
Tips: The idea of personal websites is to make them all about you. Use your own website to sell yourself to those that may view your website. You have to remember that you are up against many other applicants so what can you do to make yourself more appealing.
Overall Tips for Job Applications
Understand that in the future job searching will change even more so make sure that you stay up to date with how to apply for jobs online. Use what you can to benefit yourself. With a CV you can only use two sides of a page to sell yourself however now you can do much more online and you have more space to write about who you are and what experiences you have. Don’t use the same CV for each job application, make sure that you tailor each CV to each job application. That way you are putting more thought into what you are writing and picking out the experience you have gained which will suit that particular job.