10 Differences Between the Job Search of Today and of Yesterday - CareerEnlightenment.com

6) Employers Only Care About What They WantIn years past, a resume or job application was focused on what the job seeker wanted. This is not true any more. Now an application, resume or cover letter must speak to what value the seeker can bring to the organization. How can you bring value to the company and how soon can the company realize that value.7) Don’t Mind the GapLarge gaps in your resume are not as important as they used to be. Not only do employers today realize than millions of great and wonderful people got laid off, they also appreciate it when candidates showed initiative and tried to start their own thing.8. Nouns are the New CurrencyScreening software and LinkedIn talent searches have introduced an unexpected element to the way a resume should be written. Because these tools rely on nouns or keywords to deliver search results to recruiters, the resumes with the right combination of nouns often win.If you want to succeed in today’s job search, make a commitment to learn how to research keywords and how to use them appropriately on the page.9) Everyone Has a Personal Brand, Yes, Everyone10 years ago, not many people even knew what a personal brand was, let alone was having one really that accessable. These days, even if you don’t know what it is, you still have one. And because recruiters and hiring managers are just looking for red flags, inconsistencies in your image or messaging will prevent you from passing screening. Even if you never touched a computer in your life, you have a personal brand as well as an online reputation. So you have to decide, will you be in control of your image or will someone else? See chapter X on personal branding.10) Typing isn’t a Skill AnymoreBeing able to type used to be a skill people would highlight on their resume. Now, you have to know how to type just to have a resume. What really matters is well you’ve prepared yourself for the application. You have access to more information about a company then generations past. As a result, expectations for preparedness are much higher. To really shine, focus on customizing each resume and cover letter. It’s better to send off a few very targeted applications then it is to spray and pray.Special thanks to the following people for their valuable insights for this post:Sean Harry, Career Coach and author of Careers 2.0Vicky Lind, Career Counselor and Marketing CoachJT ODonnell, founder of Careerealism.com and career coach