This could be the year you land a new job! If you’re optimistic about the prospects, you’re not alone. Sixty percent of job seekers are equally or more optimistic about finding a new job based on what they saw in 2014, according to Jobvite’s 2015 Job Seeker Nation Study, released today.
And you don’t have to hate your job to look for another. In the survey, 45 percent of job seekers reported being satisfied in their current role but open to a new one, if it came with more money. This should come as no surprise since you’ve been feeling stagnant salaries. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the Labor Department’s newest employment-cost index numbers, which measure wages and benefits, increased just 2.2 percent in in the last year, still lagging behind pre-recession numbers with increases of 3.5 percent. The article sites one explanation: “M]any Americans are part-time workers or sitting on the sidelines, serving as a large pool of available labor.” Until employers reach a point when they can’t find what they need at a price they are willing to pay, this is unlikely to change.
Changing jobs isn’t all about the money. Numerous factors are at play when it comes to deciding on a new job. Jobvite respondents reported growth opportunities, location and work-life balance as motivators for a new position. Here are other findings:
Job seekers on social media
So where are job seekers going to look for new opportunities? Social networks turned out to be a key destination. Sixty-seven percent went to Facebook, 45 percent chose Twitter and 40 percent opted for LinkedIn.
What’s surprising about these numbers is the smaller percentage of job seekers using LinkedIn, known as a professional networking site and the preferred hangout for most recruiters and hiring managers. This mismatch existed in last year’s study as well. We are creatures of habit, and therfore job seekers’ comfort level using a social network seems to influence their network of choice.
Go where desired employers already are and meet them there. To see which social networks companies favor, just visit their websites and look for the social network icons. Don’t overlook Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat. More than 70 percent of job seekers used at least one of these social networks to land a new job! Employers use these photo-sharing networks to show off company culture, events and news. Since so few job seekers are on these sites, it makes them not-so-crowded spaces, perhaps helping you get on an employer’s radar!
When was the last time you updated your social media profile? If you are using social networks for job search, it makes sense to take the time to review and update your bio and what you share. Alas, that’s not what all job seekers are doing. Jobvite found that even though the majority of people were using Facebook to look for jobs, only 17 percent updated profiles from a computer and 13 percent from a mobile device. Twitter and LinkedIn didn’t fare much better, with under a quarter of job seekers updating profiles on each.
You wouldn’t consider applying for a job with an outdated résumé, so why would you use social networks with outdated profiles? Do yourself a favor: Update your profiles today to make sure you’re sending the right message.
Where do you find the time to look for a job, especially when you are working? Mobile technology allows you to better utilize your down time. Jobvite respondents used down time to scout jobs from bed, during the commute to work and even in the bathroom. Fifty-one percent even reported looking for a job while at work or in a meeting, which isn’t advisable. Use lunch hours or breaks away from the office and off-the-clock time to job search. You don’t want to give your boss a reason to fire you, and looking for work on company time may put your job at risk!
Researching skills and company culture
It isn’t just jobs that people are looking for. Savvy job seekers use social networks to look up information about current employees’ skills and experience. Jobvite found that Twitter and LinkedIn are the top networks used by seekers with a four-year degree or graduate-level education. For insight on company culture, Facebook tops the list as a go-to source for millennials and those making more than $75,000. People tend to let their hair down on this friend-based network, and this candor might make it easier for job seekers to see the true colors of the company and its employees.
Take action
If you are in the market for a new job, clean up your digital footprint by ensuring your profiles are up-to-date and show a professional image and message. As you can see, social networks are more than job boards. You can use them to conduct research and get the word out about your skills and unique qualifications. Don’t miss out on these opportunities.
Hannah Morgan writes and speaks on career topics and job search trends on her blog Career Sherpa. She co-authored “Social Networking for Business Success,” and has developed and delivered programs to help job seekers understand how to look for work better.
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Report: Job Seekers Are Optimistic and Ready For Change originally appeared on usnews.com