10 Aug Job Searching in 2022: What to Expect and How to Find Your Perfect Job
After the uprooting COVID-19 did for many companies, causing a severe change in environments and operations, the job industry hasn’t been the same. This includes how you should go about searching for a job. Job searching in 2022 may be primarily online now, but it is still quite difficult to navigate through if you do not understand exactly how or where to start.
Here are a few tips to make job searching in 2022 a bit easier for you to manage.
Job Searching in 2022: What does it look like and how do you do it?
Above everything, 2022 has proved that searching for a job is nothing like it used to be. Instead of settling for what’s in your area or what matches your exact skills (regardless of if you wish to be in that job/industry or not), job searching in 2022 has brought about more opportunities than you can imagine.
Firstly, your job search will not be limited to your location anymore. The pandemic showed many companies that they can function—and thrive—in remote working environments. By working remotely, many companies are allowing their employees a more flexible schedule and getting back just as much, if not more, results than when they were in person. (Of course, that’s not to say you have to work remotely if you don’t want to; many still prefer to work in person, and that’s completely okay!)
Secondly, handing a resume over in person is a thing of the past (in most cases). While it is still vitally important to show you are serious about a job or give the company a great first impression by handing your resume over in person, it’s not as necessary anymore. Job searching in 2022 has brought the digital resume and digital application to a head. It’s completely normal now to simply fill out an online application and attach your resume and/or cover letter. Many companies even require an online application before you can meet with them in person.
What are online applications?
Taking the definition quite literally, an online application is a form that you fill out online—usually on the company’s website or a job searching platform. These look different for each job you apply to. You could be only attaching your resume and cover letter and then clicking submit. You could also be filling out a small information section—usually with your basic contact information. Some companies ask you to provide a portfolio, some are taking video introductions instead of a cover letter, and some have you detailing your past work experiences in detail on the form AND attaching a resume.
Make sure you are prepared for whichever kind of application you will be filling out. Read the directions carefully, tailor your resume to that specific job, and have answers ready for whichever question the application asks.
Major Job Searching Platforms to Use in 2022
So you’ve got your resume up to date, an immaculate cover letter, and have prepared yourself for the mental strain of an online job search… what else do you need?
Well, probably a few places to start looking.
With the increase of online applications, there have been a ton of job searching platforms popping up across the internet. Do you know which ones work best for you? Or are you relying on Google to bring you to the right job searching platform? Perhaps it would be better to know what’s special about each platform before jumping feet first into it.
1. LinkedIn
Probably one of the biggest and most-known job searching platforms out there is LinkedIn. Since its launch in 2003, LinkedIn has garnered millions upon millions of users. It is hands down the largest networking platform for those in the workforce.
A couple things to note about LinkedIn:
Millions of People to Connect With and Millions of Industries to Find
The possibilities are endless on LinkedIn. You can find yourself connecting with the CEO of a major business, a hiring manager for your dream company, or somebody who can give you advice on just about anything in the job-related field. It is a place to branch out and meet new people in your industry or find interest in a different one.
Job searching is much the same on LinkedIn. It’s more beneficial to connect with those in the company you are gearing to apply to than directly applying to the online application. LinkedIn really takes the “who you know” part of the saying seriously. Just having a connection on LinkedIn with the right person can give you the opportunity to grow in your career.
LinkedIn is A LOT of Work
Seriously. Because LinkedIn focuses heavily on the networking aspect, you won’t be able to simply survive on this job searching platform with a few connections, a half-finished profile, and zero interaction (meaning posting, liking, commenting, etc.).
To make the most of your LinkedIn account, make sure you’re using the website’s features to the best of your ability. Make connections, keep your profile updated regularly, reach out to those in your industry via the comments, write posts sharing your unique expertise to the world, and find your next job.
2. Indeed
Another widely known job searching platform is Indeed.
Quite different but equally as amazing as LinkedIn, Indeed was founded in 2004. In just the past twenty years, Indeed has grown to become the largest job database in the world. If you’re job searching in 2022, you’ve most likely run across a listing on this platform.
Indeed focuses most on jobs rather than networking. With only an updated Indeed Resume, you can start applying to jobs on the platform. You don’t have to worry about making connections or continuously posting to keep your profile relevant. Instead, you can narrow down your search via the industry, job title, location, job type, salary range, and more.
A couple things to note about Indeed:
Get Right to the Applying
One of the greatest things about Indeed is the simplicity of applying. Some job searching platforms have you jumping through a few hoops to submit your application for a job. But Indeed lets you submit with your Indeed Resume—which is essentially your profile. It can also filter your job search and show which jobs match your profile and skills better. This makes applying a breeze.
A First Impression is Hard to Give through an Online Application
While it is nice to have the ability to apply for jobs without having to network beforehand, it can be a bit difficult to grab the immediate attention of hiring managers. Whereas a connection could put a good word in for your work ethic or get you an interview without too much screening, Indeed only allows you to submit your application and hope for the best. If your skills aren’t exactly what that job is looking for, then it won’t matter if you have the capability to learn as you go or if you’re an extremely pleasant worker.
3. Monster
As one of the longest-running job searching platforms, you definitely need to check out Monster. Since its creation in the late-90s, Monster has increasingly worked to bring employees new jobs and companies new hires.
Uniquely, Monster also provides salary research. So if your job searching requires a bit more than just a job to apply to, you can glance through which salary range Monster says your industry might include.
A couple things to note about Monster:
Easy to Navigate, Simple to Apply
Much like Indeed, Monster allows you to sort through job postings to make your job searching a bit easier to manage. With an account, you can also save job listings that you might want to apply to at a later date.
As long as you know what kind of job you’re looking for, Monster can help give you options.
Amazing, but Not as Many Filters as Indeed
One of the only downfalls of Monster is the lack of specific filters. While you can filter the job type (internship, part-time, full-time, remote, etc.), the date the job listing was posted, and the distance, you can’t do much else.
On Indeed, you can search using a salary range as well as an experience level, allowing the best fitting jobs to show for you. In Monster, you have to do a bit more weeding to find a job that matches you perfectly.
A Few Other Job Searching Platforms to Check Out
If you still want a few other options, then check out job searching websites such as Glassdoor and FlexJobs. Or maybe check out more tailored job searching platforms like Ladders, AngelList, and Scouted that aim to help specific job seekers on the internet.
Job Searching in 2022: How to Find Your Perfect Job
Within the thousands of job listings each platform provides, how can you find your perfect job?
The greatest thing about job searching in 2022 is the opportunities provided. We’ve already mentioned the immense growth that the job industry has gone through in the past couple of years. What this means for you, though, is that you can be a bit more selective in your job searching adventure.
More jobs are willing to hire remote workers, give adjustable work hours, or pay a higher salary. All you have to do is look for it. Of course, keep your options open and don’t be too selective. But make sure you aren’t selling yourself short; make sure you get more things you look for in a job than things you don’t. Before you know it, the perfect job will be just around the corner.
Get Your Resume Revamped by The Jonus Group
No matter how immensely online job applications have grown, the resume still holds strong as the thing to have for job applications. Even when applying online, most job applications still require you to attach some form of your resume (whether that’s an actual file or a website-created resume—like the LinkedIn or Indeed resumes).
Make sure your resume is up to date, filled with the right keywords, and formatted to pass the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). If you’d like some help with cleaning up your resume or other career-related services, check out the Career Services we offer at The Jonus Group here.
Between your resume and your online presence, we can help get you ready for your job searching endeavor.