Virtual Job Searches

Twenty years ago the best way to find a job was to speak to your personal network (which is still the best way), scan the newspaper classifieds and call the employer, or go to a career fair. Unfortunately, nearly everything we do has become automated or online or more efficient in one way or another, thus minimizing interpersonal contact. As such, the best way to get your resume in the hands of a hiring manager is to use the most direct route possible. Job boards are easy and you can definitely focus on quantity over quality by utilizing that route, but is that the best way to find the job?

A recent recruitment survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that corporate websites have become the recruitment method of choice. The poll, which surveyed 755 employers, unearthed information showing that 78% of employers used their corporate websites for employment, compared to 29% using commercial job boards. Additionally, XPertHR showed that nearly 90% of employers (out of 106 organizations and 289,000 employees) use online recruitment, with nearly 75% posting all of their vacancies on their corporate website. One logical reason for the growth of corporate job sites is the economy.
As the economy has taken a downturn companies have been required to cut costs on spending. Additionally, as human capital growth has waned so has the so has the necessity to pay large amount for job boards that are not being utilized as much.

This doesn't suggest that you will not be able to find these jobs on the job boards. It merely suggests that the quickest way to get your resume in the hands of the hiring manager is to use corporate sites. Some benefits to applying directly include:
1) Working directly with corporate HR. (best for permanent roles, contracts are best through staffing agencies.
2) Shows you have looked at the company site and logically have researched the business and role you are applying to
3) You may find other "non-advertised" jobs on the corporate site that you are interested in.
4) Shows your computer literacy and the ability to dig down for information .
5) Reduces response handling working for the HR Department.
6) Direct email to HR rather than notifications of applications by Job Boards which can group applicants all together in a bundled email.