By: Allanah Paragas
During the pandemic last year in the Philippines, JobStreet conducted a study from May 2020 to June 2020. According to their COVID-19 job report, 42% of professionals are actively browsing different career website and jobs board in search of a new job; 35% are passive job seekers or professionals who monitoring career opportunities but have not yet applied; 17% are not looking for a new job but would consider applying if there are any, and 6% are not interested to apply for a new career opportunity.
Whether you are an active or passive job seeker, you might have already experienced job searching by opening multiple tabs with different website URLs of your dream company’s career websites and different job boards. With a well-written resume on hand, you browse through the lists of available jobs. While searching, have you observed that the role you are interested in at your dream company is also posted on different job boards?
You are not the only one who noticed this. In fact, some job seekers also ponder these questions: (1) Where should I apply? (2) Online applications also take time. Is applying on one platform better than the other? (3) Will my chances increase I apply on multiple platforms?
To help and enlighten job seekers like you, we asked our recruiters what the differences are between job platforms and career websites, and where should you apply to increase your chances of getting hired through the following recruitment FAQs:
• When I apply through a career or recruitment website, what happens to my application?
After uploading and submitting your resume on a career website, your application automatically activates bots through its Applicant Tracking Software (ATS). An ATS is a software tool embedded on a career website and widely used by recruiters and headhunters to effectively find top candidates from a pool of applicants.
The bots run through your application and look for important keywords that are the closest and most relevant to the responsibilities and qualifications of the role you are applying for. As soon as the bots finish ranking the top candidates, the recruiters will screen and validate your application and schedule an interview to know more about you.
In order for a recruiter or a headhunter to notice your career website application, you should be able to craft a clear and concise resume that includes the right keywords. While crafting, make sure that the details are accurate and correct, or else your credibility and reputation will tarnish.
• If there are career and recruitment websites, why do companies post jobs on various job boards?
Job boards (i.e., JobStreet, Monster, and Indeed) are the go-to job marketplaces of active job seekers. Recruiters use a variety of job platforms to extend the reach of their search and make their job listings visible to more potential talent.
• Should I apply through a career/recruitment website or through a job board?
You may choose either, but your chances may be higher if you apply through a career or recruitment website because it is the primary tool used by recruiters. Depending on the HR technology being used by the company, recruiters usually rely on their ATS to find and shortlist top candidates who have applied through career or recruitment websites.
• What will happen if I apply on different platforms?
Since you applied for the same role but on different platforms, your applications will still be tagged as one. The recruiter will still process your application through the ATS.
• Does connecting with a recruiter or headhunter give me a higher chance of landing on the role I am applying for?
Personal connections and networking might increase your chances of landing a role, but not necessarily for the role you’ve just applied to. Headhunters are well-versed in the current job market, and may even consider you for roles that haven’t been even posted on any job site. However, do remember that recruiters and headhunters will still evaluate applicants fairly, and match the talent that fits the job requirements.
With the efficiency given by today’s recruitment technology, recruiters and headhunters are always on the lookout for top and quality candidates online. Whether you are an active or passive job seeker, it is essential that you equip yourself with up-to-date learnings and even new skills, which will help in your professional development, and at the same time update your resume and your job profile from time to time. You’ll never know, a recruiter or a headhunter might connect with you soon for a new career opportunity.
