Job Search Trends and Actions

In our recent Career Tools cast Resume Update 2010, we recommended you use the available information to conduct a strategic job search. Whilst we realize that not everyone is in a position to relocate, temporarily or permanently, for those of us able to consider it, one website has developed a Job Search Difficulty Index which may prove useful. By comparing the Bureau of Labour Statistics information on unemployment with the available jobs, they are able to give us an understanding of how hard it is to get a new job by state and city. Of course, we need to remember that this data is for the whole of the market. There is always a shortage in certain roles and specialisms, and often a surplus in others. But when developing our job search strategy, more information is better.

Another website has surveyed 600 recruitment and HR professionals, and their results are very representative of the trends we are seeing and the guidance we've given you. This survey found 36% will spend less on job boards and 38% will spend less on third party recruiters in 2010 than in 2009. Companies are reaching out directly to the market, and that means different behaviour for job seekers. 92% of the respondents plan to recruit via social networks with 86% of that group using Linkedin. 89% of the respondents had hired at least one person from Linkedin, with another 27% having hired from Facebook. Our guidance to be on Linkedin, tidy up your Facebook page (and other social networks) and go directly to company websites all comes from these trends.

Even if you're not thinking about changing jobs this year, take action now. Part of a recruiter's job is to know the people with the right skills who currently aren't looking but who might be in six months to a year, or who might be promoted and therefore a client, or who might know someone who is looking. Recruiters (including in-house recruiters and HR departments) aren't just interested in available candidates. They're interested in the whole market in a particular skill. That means even if you aren't looking, they might still be looking at your Linkedin profile or your Facebook page. Don't think that you can have something inappropriate on them now, and tidy it up just before you start looking. It may well have already been seen and your reputation set.

http://www.manager-tools.com/2010/08/resume-update-2010-part-1

http://www.job-search-engine.com/press/Juju-Releases-Job-Search-Difficul...

http://www.job-search-engine.com/press/Juju-Releases-Job-Search-Difficul...

http://web.jobvite.com/rs/jobvite/images/Jobvite%202010%20Social%20Recru...