In yesterday’s WSJ Personal Journal, Joseph DeAvila reports that job seekers are finding that hiring companies are becoming increasingly less dependent on job boards, and are using their own websites and social networking sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to find new hires. Companies site lowering their advertising costs and reducing the number of applications they need to sift through as major reasons for this shift.
For job seekers, this reinforces the fact that relying on job boards as the main tactic in a job search will produce the lowest yield. Rather, the highest probability for success is built on using multiple tools including: a targeted direct marketing campaign; extensive use of social media sites for networking; and your own personal website to help manage your online identity and communicate your personal brand.
The current employment market dictates new rules for job seekers. The old saying about recruiting being a contact sport will always ring true. However, how a job seeker reaches that first face to face contact is radically changing. Those who recognize the trends and stay ahead of the curve will gain the most advantage.
