Digital Job Hunt: Convincing Behind a Screen

2020 was a tough year for both recruiters and workers. Lockdowns across the globe caused more than 114 million people to lose their jobs. However, the first half of 2021 has brought us hope and new energy to rethink the way we hire or get hired.

While the pandemic is still hurting the world, it’s time to move on and be a part of a steadily recovering economy, and start your digital job hunt.

Whether you want to go back to your physical office or look for remote work opportunities, you have to come up with a solid job-hunting strategy. If you’re struggling to find your dream job, don’t give up. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can convince employers and recruiters in the digital age. Whatever version of “normal” comes in the post-pandemic era or whatever situation you’re going through right now, you need to be more flexible and adaptable in order to succeed. 

Tips For Attracting Recruiters in a Digital Job Hunt 

The impact of the pandemic has started to lessen. However, businesses still feel reluctant to hire new people. In uncertain times when the job market is overwhelmed with skilled people seeking jobs, you must be able to stand out from the crowd. You have the opportunity to impress a recruiter throughout the hiring process from sending job applications to interviews.

Here is what you can do to leave a great impression on recruiters and land a great job in your digital job hunt: 

1. Be Flexible 

In 2021 and beyond, employers and professionals will be able to expand their reach as geographical restrictions are no longer a concern for many businesses. No matter where you live, you can take on a remote job anywhere in the world. This means you can broaden your job search and look beyond your traditional way of finding a job. A survey concluded that 42% of job seekers are open to a contract, gig, or part-time position. 

Job switching is a common practice and more acceptable than ever before. If you’re unable to find stable, long-term employment, you should consider short-term stopgaps. People working in the leisure and hospitality industry are hit hard by the economic shutdown. If you’re one of them, you can use your existing hospitality skills and join another industry like customer support. 

The future is flexible and you must embrace it. 80% of women are looking for flexibility in their next role. The same study found that 81% of UK employees feel that flexible working makes a job more attractive. 

You want the perfect role with rewarding work, a short or no commute, and a generous salary. Since the market is murky, being flexible will help you refine your job research. 

2. Apply for the Right Jobs 

Most of the applications recruiters receive are made up of applicants who don’t even remotely qualify for the job. Do you want to waste your time applying for jobs that aren't meant for you? Of course, not. Unqualified applications also make things difficult for HR managers who have to screen through a pile of resumes. 

So, look for a job that is close to your ideal position and the best fit for your situation and career goals. Make sure your next job aligns well with your goals. 

To make life easier, create a profile of your ideal job. Just like the way companies define their ideal customers. You should identify what type of employer would be good for your work style. Start with evaluating your past job experiences. Ask yourself the following questions: 

• What are your goals in terms of work-life balance? 
• What is your ideal company culture? 
• What are the factors that you want to avoid in your next job? 
• What did you like about your last job? 

More information about what you want will make it easier for you to determine which job would be ideal for you. Don’t waste your time applying for the wrong jobs. And when you find your ideal job, do your best to convince the hiring manager that you’re a good fit.  

Did you know an average job application gets 7 seconds of review time? You have to make recruiters spend more time on your application and consider you as a potential candidate. 

3. Create a Cover Letter that Gets you a Job Interview 

The primary function of a cover letter is to help recruiters know you better. Therefore, take your resume as an outline of your career and cover letter as a brief description. Design custom cover letters in a way that elaborates on your strengths and skills, something that goes beyond your credentials and work history. When you create a powerful, custom cover letter, it shows that you’re serious about the position. 

Most candidates don’t spend time creating custom cover letters for each job they apply for. However, you should spare some time to create custom cover letters explaining why you’re a good fit for the job. Here are some quick tips for creating a good cover letter: 

• You don’t have to recap your entire work history. Just mention whatever is relevant to the job you’re applying for. 
• When talking about your achievements and performance, try to come up with specific numbers or quantifiable results. For example, how your efforts led to a 25% increase in sales. 
• Help recruiters with examples. Don’t just tell them that you’re good at something. Show them how you’re good at something. 
• Don’t forget to mention your soft skills such as communication and creative thinking. A cover letter is a good place to highlight your soft skills. 
• If you have gaps in your work history, a cover letter is the right place to explain those gaps. Tell your recruiter what skills you obtained while you were away from the workforce. 
• Try to match the tone of your cover letter to the company culture. For example, if the company you’re applying for likes to keep things formal and serious, try to reflect that in your writing style. 
• Always address the cover to the hiring manager by name. If you don’t know the name, go to Google or Linkedin and you’ll find it. 

4. Demonstrate Learning Agility and Resilience during your Digital Job Hunt 

The job market is recovering differently by industry type and geography. We’ve seen some pretty drastic changes to how organizations get the work done. They’re increasingly relying on technology to automate and streamline various business processes. Simply put, they’re quickly changing the way they do things. When things change that fast, candidates need to show some learning agility and resilience.

Do you have what it takes to be a successful employee in the age of digital transformation? Are you competent enough to adjust easily to change? Your career success largely depends on your ability to adapt. That’s exactly why experts take adaptability as a core competency of agile leadership. As a candidate, you have to understand the circumstances in which organizations are restarting their business operations. 

Resilient candidates recognize changing dynamics and make quick adjustments to propel change. Besides, companies need people who are resilient and capable of performing well in challenging situations. 

5. Be Ready for an Initial Phone Call 

Considerate employers don’t want to waste your or their time. So, they often start the hiring process with a quick telephonic interview. It’s a good tactic to narrow down the list of potential candidates. So, be prepared for that mini-interview. Your employer might ask to talk about your salary expectations. 

Try to give a direct and clear answer when asked about your expectations. In most cases, employers set the salary range based on multiple variables: salaries of coworkers, local job market, etc. Employers must come up with a salary range for the positions in their job postings. Why? Because the best candidates don’t want to play games or waste time. 

6. Learn How to Nail Your Virtual Job Interview 

Conducting job interviews on Zoom has become a common practice. Recruiters prefer to use virtual interviews as they are health-friendly and convenient. As a candidate, your job is to make the best impression. 

For this, you must learn how to present yourself on an online interviewing platform like Zoom. The good thing about virtual interviewing is that you can connect with recruiters from the comfort of your home. However, it’s important to know how to overcome all the challenges associated with online job interviews. The following tips will help you simplify Zoom job interviews: 

• To avoid technical difficulties, make sure you’re comfortable with the application your employer uses to conduct interviews. You’ll feel more confident and resilient in case technical issues show up during the interview. 
• Gather all the documents beforehand in case the interviewer asks for anything. 
• It’s not a good idea to appear in an online interview wearing sweats or pajamas. Choose your outfit according to the company culture. Whatever you choose must look good on the screen. 
• Don’t choose a messy space for Zoom interviews. While you have the option to use digital background, it’s recommended to tidy up. After all, a peaceful workspace is good for your mental health.
• It’s easier to get distracted during virtual interviews. One of the worst interview mistakes you can make is to leave an impression that you’re not interested in whatever the interviewer is saying. So, maintain your focus on the screen. 
• Be a good listener. Listen to your interviewers instead of waiting for your chance to speak. 
• Practice using Zoom or any other platform that your recruiter uses for hiring.

7. Develop an Online Networking Strategy During your Digital Job Hunt 

The use of online networking and social media has been growing for years. The internet has developed into a central place for everyone from students and professionals to business leaders. Therefore, you need to have an online networking strategy and all the tools you need to build a career.

The Digital Job Hunt Journey

The job market is improving as countries are picking up their Covid vaccination drive. The second half of 2021 will bring in some good news for both employers and workers. While many companies have already started hiring and resuming their business operations, others will soon start hiring again. So, get yourself ready for your next job-hunt campaign. You’re so close to getting your dream job. Just be prepared to grab the right opportunity. 

Most importantly, learn how to convince through a screen. Your digital presence matters whether you’re a freelancer, a job seeker, a contractor, or a full-time, in-house worker.