It's a Different World for Job Seekers

Trying to find employment in 2015 seems to have gotten better thanks to an improved economic outlook, more hiring and the ease of an online job search. Yet getting to that all-important final job interview may contain several extra steps that were not relevant to job searches five to 10 years ago.

Individuals who haven't engaged in a job search in the past decade may seem surprised by what it takes to even apply for a position. Instead of handing your paper application, attached resume, cover letter and transcript to HR personnel, the seemingly streamlined process of applying online may take even longer than driving to the office and giving someone a few documents. A job interview may have several steps instead of just one 20-minute meeting. Employers could also ask you to demonstrate your job skills as opposed to just talking about them.

Increasingly, online forms require job applicants to divulge a ton of information before getting to a contact phone number. Salary history, professional references and your Social Security number may come first in a form instead of your basic contact data. People who wade through 10 different application screens may give up after page three due to the length of time it takes to fill in the necessary blanks. The online job search may have been easy, but inputting sensitive information through a computer screen could be more daunting than before. These forms stand in your way even before you submit a cover letter and resume ahead of a job interview.

You may have multiple conferences with many different staff members instead of one simple job interview. Group meetings with multiple candidates help determine who works well in a team setting. Role playing games can help ascertain who fits the mold of an ideal employee who demonstrates skills in real-life situations. The first interview may be with a hiring manager, while a second meeting a week later could be with your potential boss. A third interview could revolve around future co-workers to see how you relate to the team already in place. This complexity ensures the firm gets multiple looks at those applying for a position.

Qualifications no longer land you a job interview. Relevant professional references, proper use of social media and standing out from a very crowded labor pool can all help applicants get that all-important face time with the boss. Now that the job market has improved, more candidates seek better careers. A glut of open positions is a good thing, but every job posting may have dozens of well-qualified candidates. Leave nothing to chance and make your case with a strong cover letter, dynamite resume and fantastic references.

The entire application process goes above and beyond to vet new candidates, and companies have learned to get creative in order to truly seek out the best person for the job. Firms have realized a few extra man-hours now may save more money later if they find the right candidate sooner. A job interview now represents the penultimate goal of a much longer hiring technique.

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