Big changes are in store for you in 2018, because you’re planning to find a new job. Taking this step is simultaneously exciting and terrifying, so it helps to know what you’re walking into.
Some 2018 job search trends aren’t exactly new, but they’ll remain prominent in the year ahead. Others have been on the horizon for a while now, so find out what you’ll face.
Greater Emphasis on Cultural Fit
More so than ever, employers have begun to realize the importance of hiring for personality, rather than focusing solely on skills. This trend will continue into 2018, as companies have realized the detrimental impact of high turnover and the costs associated with a bad hire.
If you want to get hired, you’ll need to prove your beliefs and values align with that of the organization. Before applying to a job, conduct extensive research to learn as much as possible about the company culture. Use your findings to highlight your cultural fit in every aspect of the hiring process, from the cover letter to the post-interview thank-you note.
Social Media Use Becomes More Prominent
In recent years, an increasing number of employers have joined the social media bandwagon, and this number will continue to rise in 2018. At present, 70 percent of employers use social media to screen candidates, up from just 11 percent in 2006, according to a 2017 survey conducted by CareerBuilder. Furthermore, 57 percent are less likely to interview a candidate they can’t find online.
Considering LinkedIn alone has more than 530 million users in over 200 countries and territories, social media is a realm employers can no longer ignore. If you prefer to stay dark on social sites, it’s time to surrender and create an active professional presence or risk being passed up.
Nontraditional Employment Will Surge
The workforce is becoming more flexible in nature, which is leading a surge in nontraditional employment. Temporary staffing is expected to rise 3 percent in 2018, according to Staffing Industry Analysts. The gig economy is also rapidly expanding, as Intuit CEO Brad Smith estimated it as roughly 34 percent of the U.S. workforce during a May 2017 earnings call, but predicted it will expand to 43 percent by 2020.
This means your options for jobs are more expansive than ever. Holding a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. full-time position used to be the standard, but a new normal is emerging.
Increased Focus on Passive Candidates
Finding top talent isn’t easy, but it has become even more difficult now that the unemployment rate is at its lowest point in more than 10 years. Consequently, employers have started to get a little more creative with their searches, by focusing on passive candidates.
Many companies work through staffing firms to get in contact with these gainfully employed professionals. If you’re interested in this route, take on a recruiting partner to help you find the right fit. They’ll keep their eyes open for a position that meets your needs, while you continue collecting a paycheck at your current job. This is a smart way to search for opportunities, while maintaining discretion.
Navigating a job search isn’t easy, but the experts Wood Staffing are here to assist. If you’re ready to make a career move in 2018, contact us to find rewarding opportunities with some of Michiana’s top employers.
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