Job seekers need online skills nowadays

Dear PropellerHeads: I am on the job hunt. Is the best way to get noticed to drop my resume at the Personnel Office of my desired employer?

A: I would say that if your desired employer still has a "Personnel" office that they probably covet Dictaphone skills and shorthand, and still use an IBM Selectric on a regular basis.

It is going to be rare that you find an employment opportunity these days that doesn't involve an online application process. Human Resources offices are under tight lock and key and many companies have outsourced their Talent Acquisition and Recruitment functions, so actually getting the opportunity to chat with the "gatekeeper" of the hiring process can be difficult.

So (I am sure you have heard this before), there are two things that will get you noticed. It's all about who you know and standing out from the crowd. How do you do that when things seem to be getting less personal and more automated?

First, get networked. If you are not already on LinkedIn (linkedin.com), you should be. You can build an online resume, get recommendations, follow companies you are interested in, gather endorsements for your skills, and a post a pic (no shots of your pets, kids, or red Solo cups, please).

The nice piece of this social network is that people are truly looking to network. LinkedIn users are freer with accepting requests than a personal social network because each introduction may open a door professionally that wasn't there until they approved your request.

Once you have started to connect and schmooze with the appropriate parties, you are one step closer to balling up that CV and never needing it again. Mobile job applications make it possible for disenfranchised workers to seek out new careers and apply during their commute right from their smart phones.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal online talks about how major companies are trying to address the need to make their online apps more mobile-friendly since potential candidates are more likely to check their LinkedIn, Facebook, email, etc. accounts on the go (http://on.wsj.com/186wUmI ).

So you've built an online professional presence, you've begun making connections, now how do you get the most bang for your buck? Work on summing up your skills in 140 characters or less.

More and more recruiters are using Twitter (twitter.com) to get the word out about their company's opportunities, but some are even going so far as to have candidates apply via Tweet and only Tweet (http://yhoo.it/186xosQ). You basically get to think of a catchy headline, or represent something about your skill set in a 6-second clip and then perhaps add a link to your resume or LinkedIn profile if you are lucky enough to get a click.

So, as you are wrapping your head around trying to whittle down 25 years of experience to less than a sentence or two, I thought I would leave you with some "real life" examples to get the creative juices flowing:

Classically trained in happy face, sad face, and pie-in-face. Balloon animals, juggling, pants dropping, light tumbling, up to 14 in a car.

Certified porcelain god. Snake and crank drains, pipes, mucks, and yucks. Pants firmly belted at waist. #crackiswhack

Sassy, Shaggy, Pixie, or Rapunzel. Curled, braided, extended, dyed (never fried), silky, smooth. Vidal has nothing on me. #hairdosnotdonts

And just for fun, some celeb CVs:

Banjo playing, pig loving, Muppet wrangler with excellent dramatic and comedic timing. TV, Movies and Variety Shows. #willworkforflies

Life is like a box of chocolates. Works well with volcanoes, volleyballs, dogs #hooch. Houston we have no problems. #oscarwinner #megryansux

Hey Jude, all you need is love. Hard day's night of paperback writing in my yellow submarine. Sir Paul to you. #yokonono #ringowho?

Happy hunting.

When the PropellerHeads at Data Directions aren't busy with their IT projects, they love to answer questions on business or consumer technology. Email them to [email protected] or contact us at Data Directions Inc., 8510 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. Visit our website at www.askthepropellerheads.com.