By Susan P. Joyce

For most of us, a job search, fortunately, is NOT something we do often enough to be really proficient. So, when the time comes to job search, we must look at what is effective now – not what we did when we last hunted for a job 2, 5, 10, or 25 years ago.

Effective job search methods have changed a great deal since 2015 because recruiting methods have changed dramatically with the widespread use of search engines and social media as well as increased employer dependence on applicant tracking systems ("ATS") for resume storage and retrieval.

The Major Signs You Are Out-of-Date

If job seekers don't understand how "the new system" works, they can look out-of-date and less desirable as potential employees. These are the 5 major ways that job seekers can look out of date.

Whether over 50, under 30, or in the middle, job seekers risk looking out-of-date by:

1.  Being a "missing person"!

I know several older job seekers who are proud to be invisible in Google. You search on their name, and you may find other people (eek!), but you don't find them. When I warn them of this lack of visibility, each has said to me, "I am protecting my privacy." But, they are invisible, which makes them "missing people." And that is most definitely NOT good!

By Randy Block

Throughout the decades, this meaning of the term “career management” has evolved. Back say in the sixties and seventies, companies like IBM and Eastman Kodak were flying high and offered-long term employment. But those days are past for the vast majority of workers. We're on our own.

Career Management

Career management, then, was usually defined as promotion to the next management level. Fifteen-year career “plans” were common. Understanding this “career game, playing it well, and knowing your place” was key. We live in a different world now. Very few employers have a clear path to promotion and very few employees stay with one employer long enough to follow the path -- if one exists.

As you probably surmise, the definition of career management has changed. Of all the definitions of career management reviewed, I like Wikipedia’s the best:

Career management is the combination of structured planning and the active management choice of one's own professional career. The outcome of successful career management should include personal fulfillment, work/life balance, goal achievement and financial security.

​​​​​​​There are some key terms: “active choice,” “personal fulfillment,” “work/life balance,” and “financial security.” These are critical to the individual managing their own career.

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