Looking back over the last several decades there are trends in job searching that can be clearly identified. Our employment norms started with more face-to-face interaction in which it was typical for applications to be filled out on site.  As HR professionals became weary of so many in person applicants, the employment culture shifted to cover letters and resumes. With the rise of technology, it became more efficient to apply online or send in an attached resume. As the technology has gotten smarter, applicant tracking systems can screen out some applicants who do not meet certain criteria.  At every step, the efficiency of applying for a job has created a bombardment of applicants both qualified and unqualified.  Technologies contribution to efficiency is undisputed; however, its ability to offer a solution to the lack of applicant depth and dimension has remained.

Recently, the focus has started to shift to more intelligent ways of identifying potential candidates, as well as, allowing candidates to give a more robust view of themselves and their career.

Virtual Portfolio- VisualCV (www.visualCV.com) is a company that is reinventing the landscape for recruiters and job seekers alike. They offer a free online resume that not only includes your one dimensional resume, but also allows you to add on video, images, links to your accomplishments and more in a professional manner.  Employers will be provided with a better all round picture of you and what you can bring to their organization.  You are provided with your own URL that you can share with companies, friends, link to your Linkedin page, etc. I believe virtual portfolios will definitely be a trend with staying power in the 21^st century.  

Job Mapping- There are a few job sites out there that take searching to a new level by using job mapping techniques.  JobFox.com is a job site that helps create better matches between candidates and companies by identifying individual’s unique skills, experience and goals, and then present only the jobs that are the right fit.  Through an introduction by JobFox, a company is able to review your map of experience. I have viewed one of these maps before and the thing I found so interesting is you can scan any position the person has held and a screen will pop up telling you exactly how long that person has been in the role. It is basically more detail about the individual’s actual duties. Also, I definitely see a trend toward more engaged job sites in the future.  Job seekers feel as though their resumes go into a black hole when using many job sites today.  HR professionals are annoyed by the number of unqualified people applying. 

Slide Share- This is another new tool that is catching on.  It is a lot like PowerPoint, but can be easily linked to other sites such as your LinkedIn page. All you have to do is create your story.