E-recruiting -- It's Everywhere You Want To Be

Is there anything more time consuming or draining than job hunting?

I’d forgotten just how much “fun” the experience is until I recently had the privilege.

Things changed!

Seven years ago the local newspaper’s classified section was THE PLACE to look. It took fifteen minutes to scan and circle prospects. Today, posting sites are limitless thanks to the World Wide Web. Rather than fifteen minutes, the process lasts hours.

My daily searches, all online of course, included The Eagle Classifieds, journalismjobs.com, Craigslist, Blinn College, City of Bryan, City of College Station, St. Joseph’s Hospital, The Med, Physician’s Center, Land That Job, Jobs.net, Employment Guide.com, KBTX Job Search, and any other potentially informative site my internet search turned up.

It was nothing for me to plant myself in front of the computer at 7:30 a.m. and find myself still seated there well after noon, viewing postings and applying.

Such is the technique of e-recruiting.

There’s no lack of employment opportunity information. It’s just housed in a variety of places. It’s up to you to search every internet nook and cranny, decipher the application process and comply with those specificities.

Application
Hand-completing an application in person is virtually unheard of. Instructions now range from faxing or emailing your resume to downloading an app, then faxing or emailing it – a procedure that can take twenty minutes or six hours (as I discovered with Blinn’s employment process) depending on the complexity of the application.

Cover Letter
Then there’s the omnipotent cover letter, which becomes even more critical to electronic transmission. At my last job, I paid as much attention to this as I did the resume! It is your ONLY chance to personalize the submission and make yourself standout. You cannot/should not have a blanket cover letter. It must be specifically tailored to each company, job posting and qualifications.

Concern

I have Microsoft Office 2007 and understand older versions of Word won’t open the newest word processing program. I was never sure whether the company actually received what I sent. How am I supposed to get hired if the company doesn’t know I applied?

Pros and cons of electronic transmission:

• A stack of resumes provides a quick view of the prospective applicant pool. It’s not necessary for every single candidate to complete a company app.
• There’s no visual. Choices are based on information alone, so negative first impressions can’t render pre-mature or inaccurate judgments.
• It’s immediate and cost effective. However, without a return receipt, the applicant can’t be 100% certain their paperwork transmitted successfully.
• A hand-written application says much about a potential employee — legibility, neatness, thoroughness, accuracy all demonstrates attention to detail and quality of work.
• It’s highly impersonal. There’s no opportunity to formulate an initial positive connection, except via cover letter.
• It’s exclusive. Even if this day and age, not everyone has access to a computer or fax machine.
  

While beneficial, e-recruitment and e-transmission shouldn’t be the only HR tool. The wise recognize the advantage of a traditional methods/e-resource combination. That way, you, the awesome prospective applicant, may decide which method best allows you to shine.

Embrace that we live in the Information Era where data is instantly accessible and relayed. Get on board before you get left behind.

Don’t limit your search to one source. Explore all options.

Don’t be intimidated by e-overload. Search multiple sights and bookmark all with potential.

The ideal job may be waiting in the most obscure location. All you have to do is find it.