Employers prefer to hire job-seekers who have digital footprints was originally published on College Recruiter.
Applying for jobs is tough. It’s even tougher when you hear crickets on the other end.
According to a recent Glassdoor study, the average corporate job offer attracts 250 resumes. Of those candidates, only four to six will get called for an interview, and only one will get the job.
Tijana Ostojic, a marketing specialist from Domain.ME, the international tech company that operates the internet domain “.ME”, encourages students to place emphasis on ways they can stand out in the recruitment process by focusing on their online presence. According to Careerbuilder, more than 50 percent of hiring managers say they want to see that a candidate has a professional online. A startling 41 percent of employers say they might not interview a candidate if they can’t find them online.
Tijana recommends that students focus on two things:
- Take control of what search engines have to say about you. Create a personal website that will serve as an online portfolio. Not only will it be available 24/7, but it should show up among first results when an employer or hiring manager Googles you. Choose your name and surname as a domain name. For example, if your name is Jane Doe, then choose a domain name such as janedoe@me.com. Similarly, invest time in building your profile on LinkedIn as many employers will look you up there and LinkedIn’s profile pages tend to rank highly in Google’s search results. If you create a link from your LinkedIn profile to your personal website and vice versa, Google will infer that they’re for the same person even if you have a common name and that will make it easier for a prospective employer to find your profile pages.
- Tell the story you want recruiters to know. Think about your online presence as your elevator pitch or opportunity to introduce yourself to hiring managers with information that shows why you are the ideal candidate for the job. Develop captivating content that shows your personality on your social media outlets, a blog, personal websites, or other online platforms.
