Unconventional Job-Seeking Tools
Guidance for your job-seeking journey
With the rise of AI and an increase of candidates, sending off your resume isn’t as simple and straightforward as it used to be.
In today’s technological age, resumes are all submitted digitally and are managed through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), a tool companies use to quickly parse through resumes and determine who’s moving on to the next step.
Resumes need to be optimized for ATS compatibility which means they need to contain the specific keywords found in the job description, be formatted appropriately, and avoid confusing elements such as fonts, images, and all the other frills we like to add to our resumes to “pretty them up”.
Resumes aren’t the only thing that have changed in the job seeing journey.
This blog will help you adapt and elevate your job seeking game with some tools you may not be aware of or have thought about as you navigate the latest job market.
Resume Tools
You’ll need several forms of your resume for each job you apply to:
An ATS-compliant resume that’s specifically matched to the job description and includes relevant keywords throughout your resume. It should include plain text, simple formatting, clear headings, bullet points, and be very concise. You can use online scanners and professional services that check your resume’s ATS compliance and “score”.
A branded or aesthetic resume. This one is designed and written for a human, and should focus on readability and professionalism. Ideally, you’ll have an opportunity to get this to the hiring manager prior to the interview. If not, the interview is a great time to ask them if you can provide them with this version.
Remember to tailor your resume to the position and keep in mind that achievements, experience, and everything else on it should align and match with the company you’re applying to.
By understanding these changes and adapting your approach, you can increase your chances of getting your resume noticed by a human, even in the age of ATS.
Job Seeking Tools for Finding Opportunities
Long gone are the days of finding job opportunities in the newspaper. New career openings are almost entirely advertised online or within an organization. Three of the most common (and recommended) ways to look for new positions aligned to your skills and expertise are:
LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a great asset in your job search for so many reasons! Not limited to being a job seekers tool, you can also use it to network, share thought leadership and expertise in a public portfolio format, and connecting with the right players to help you find new possibilities.
Indeed: Indeed is a robust job seeking tool that allows you to filter, search, and apply directly on their platform. It often includes helpful links to the company’s website so you can learn more and determine whether or not it would be a good fit.
Corporation’s Websites: Especially if you know a company you’re really interested in applying to, it can be beneficial to go right to the source and check out the job opportunities on their website directly.
The Third Layer
Ok, so you have the resumes ready, you know where to start your search…
Here are a few other things to do to help yourself get to the next level and move through the applicant process.
Once you apply to a position, see if there’s a way to get your resume directly into the hands of the person you’ll hopefully be meeting with. This is your opportunity to show that you’re going the extra mile and make a direct connection. You may also connect with the hiring individual on LinkedIn, and at the very least, follow the company on LinkedIn (don’t worry, you can unfollow later if need be).
Using AI as a Job Seeking Tool
Please don’t have Chat GPT, Gemini, or another AI platform to write your resume and cover letters for you! You can use them as tools to help you improve the keyword usage in your resume, create outlines and starting points for your cover letter, and pull out strengths of yours that you can highlight with a future employer. You can even use these tools to prepare for interviews with the right prompts to generate questions that will help you practice. But don’t make the mistake of copy and paste directly from AI.
Speaking of practice, if you haven’t already read my “Preparing for the Job Interview” blog, make sure to do that next! It’s full of information on how to go from resume stage to interview phase more effectively though thorough preparation.
Have more questions?
I understand what you’re going through. The job seeking process can be complicated, scary, and overwhelming. These tools and tips can help but they’re no substitute for working with someone 1:1 (like me) who can guide you through with confidence and skill to find the career right fit for you! I’d love to be the coach by your side helping you stand out from the sea of candidates!
