Undertsanding The Emerging Job Search Trends

By Lilian Wamaitha

Are you still using outdated job search means while looking for a job?

Job search has really changed over the years and you as a job seeker must keep up with these changing trends. You need to know what is working and what is not working.

You also need to understand what employers are looking, how to write and present a CV, how to make employers open your application and so on. Here are the changing trends in the job market that you must understand.

Must Read >>> Understanding The Hidden Job Market 

1. LinkedIn has replaced the traditional CV

According to Ms. Muthoni Ndegwa, a top recruitment manager in Nairobi, recruiters are no longer relying on the traditional CV to find candidates.

“As a recruiter, if there is an urgent position I need to fill, I just have to go to LinkedIn, do some research and find myself the best candidates for the position,” says Ms. Ndegwa.

“It doesn’t mean that recruiters are no longer accepting applications, but as a job seeker you need to have an active and updated LinkedIn profile if you are to succeed,” she adds, a sentiment that is echoed by one Mr.Benson, an intern at a leading blue-chip company in Nairobi.

“I got my internship through LinkedIn when my now supervisor reached out to me asking if I would be interested in a paid internship at their company. I sent my application, was invited for an interview and as they say the rest is history,” he says.

The problem with Kenyan job seekers as Ms. Ndegwa points out is that, most of them underestimate the power of LinkedIn which is very wrong.

2. A summary of your work experience is important

Because of the high number of applicants for a single position, recruiters often scan through a CV in a few seconds.

“As a recruiter I have so many applicants, some of them qualified and some who are not. I therefore need to find what I am looking for in a candidate’s CV in a few minutes or seconds.” Says Ms. Ndegwa.

This means that as a candidate, you need to state what makes you stand out in your cover letter and CV and the rest can come later.

“If you have a lot of relevant work experience, let that be the first thing I see as I go through your CV,” says Ms. Ndegwa.

If you are a recent graduate without much work experience, insist on the internships, volunteer or attachments you have held in the past.

3. A proof of your abilities is a must

This serves to answer the question, “Do recruiters really contact referees?” and the answer to that is YES.

Recruiters are very careful about hiring a person who will leave within the first few months costing the company and they therefore need to know that you have what it takes to do the job.

Besides contacting your referees, recruiters will want proof of your abilities and this means getting testimonials or asking you to provide portfolios of your works.

As a job seeker ensure that besides having a well written CV, you have something else that makes you stand out from the other candidates.

4. Building a relationship comes first then a CV

CVs are no longer the first contact with an employer.

“In today’s job market you need to convince me that you are the right candidate before I even go through your CV. This means learning how to write a cover letter that recruiters will actually read,” says Ms. Ndegwa.

And this does not mean duplicating your CV but it’s all about building a solid relationship first with the recruiter that prompts them to actually go through your CV and consider you for an interview.

5. Personal branding is a thing now

Several years ago, not many people knew what personal branding was all about. Nowadays, it’s what recruiters are looking for.

Your personal brand is basically that thing that sets you apart from other candidates. With thousands of applications on a single job, personal branding is very important and something that you must understand as a job seeker.

That said, read more about how you can advance your career by building a personal brand.

6. CVs and cover letters are no longer sent on paper

One of the emerging trends in the job market is an increase in online applications.

Most organizations will ask you to email a copy of your CV or cover letter or fill out an online form. It’s only a few offices in government that ask for applications in hard copy.

The job market keeps changing and in order to succeed, you just keep up with these changes. Ditch out what is no longer working and start afresh keeping in line with the current job market needs in Kenya.

Find Out >>> How Smart Job Seekers Stand Out In Their Job Search 

The writer is a Communications & Digital Marketing Officer at Career Point Kenya. Got any insights on the article? Leave your comment below or email lilian@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke.