Eighty percent of Germans apply for jobs online
Looking for a new job? Applying over the internet is fast, simple and inexpensive. Germany's well-known platform - jobpilot.de - lends some sound advice for successful online applications.
Company name: jobpilot.de/Monster Worldwide Deutschland GmbH
Interviewee: Elke Guhl, Vice President Marketing Central Europe
Tell us a little bit about your company and your background.
In 1994, Jeff Taylor founded Monster Job Board in the US, the first internet-based recruitment platform. Monster became available in Germany in 2000 and four years later, it overtook the market leader - jobpilot.de. In the meantime, Monster has developed its local presence around the world and is available in 40 countries.
How important is job searching via the internet in 2013?
Over the last several years, the internet has become an increasingly important tool in recruiting.
Our most recent studies clearly demonstrate that internet-based recruiting channels are far ahead of other sources when it comes to job searches and placements. Internet job portals have become the most popular.
When searching online for a suitable job or candidate, the quality of the results is far more important than the quantity.
Our semantic search – currently available as a beta in Germany – finds jobs based not only on traditional criteria such as title, qualifications and industry, but is also capable of interpreting the search terms in such a way as to find appropriate results based on context.
This allows user to find jobs that may not even contain the terms they initially searched for. As a result it is no longer necessary for users to tediously input multiple job titles when performing a job search.
And moreover, results can also be filtered to only show those available in a specific city or region, for example, jobs in Stuttgart.
Monster has also released apps for several different mobile operating systems in order to accommodate the ever-increasing number of mobile internet users.
Furthermore, our Facebook application, BeKnown, is also available in a mobile version. It allows job seekers to inform themselves about new opportunities and to network while they’re on-the-go.
I’m a job seeker– where should I look online?
Candidates searching actively for attractive employers can use portals such as monster.de or jobpilot.de but they can also opt to search for a company’s profile on Facebook.
Other good sources of information on potential employers are platforms that allow workers to rate their employers or job fairs, such as the ones supported by Monster (CeBIT, for example), where potential employers introduce themselves to prospective employees.
More than 80 per cent of Germans prefer applying for jobs electronically because of the several distinct advantages it offers. Applying over the internet is fast, simple and inexpensive.
Can you give us your best tips for a successful online apply?
It is important to use a ‘neutral’ email address when sending applications – some email addresses that are intended for personal use may not resonate well with
employers. Photos should also be shot and edited professionally.
A candidate’s CV, references, writing samples and other documents should be systematically named and preferably, saved as PDF files. Email attachments should not exceed 3MB. By following these rules, you ensure that the recipient can open the email and that it will be displayed properly.
Generic applications are also a no-go online. As a job seeker, one should be able to clearly and individually formulate why they want a particular job in their motivation letter. They should also be able to convincingly outline why they think they are the best candidate for the job.
Visually appealing formats are recommended and one should also keep in mind that grammatical errors are taboo. It is all too easy to press the ‘send’ button so candidates are recommended to double-check everything. Have the right documents been attached? Has the application been addressed to the correct person? Is the subject line correct?
A standardized profile on an online job community doesn’t leave much room for error, as form and contents are usually predetermined. However, if you present yourself on a forum or your own web page, pay close attention to the design and other details.
Lastly, honesty is the best policy. Information that has been released onto the internet tends to stay there and can be read, questioned and commented on by anyone.
Can companies to search for employees abroad on jobpilot.de?
Jobpilot.de is a German portal which hosts online job postings. However, on monster.de, both companies and potential candidates can search worldwide for new opportunities or employees.
How will job searching develop in the near future?
Mobile apps are becoming increasingly important for the simple reason that mobile internet use is rising rapidly in conjunction with the rising use of mobile devices.
Smartphones and tablets have become omnipresent companions in the modern working environment. With its repertoire of mobile apps, Monster is actively catering to these demands.
The significance of social media in recruiting is also set to increase. The opportunity for employers and job seekers to exchange dialogue on the social web is a major development. Both companies and employees are likely to increasingly use social networks in their recruitment or job search efforts and we see social media as an ideal extension to online job portals.
Article sponsored by jobpilot.de/Monster Worldwide Deutschland GmbH
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Company name: jobpilot.de/Monster Worldwide Deutschland GmbH
Interviewee: Elke Guhl, Vice President Marketing Central Europe
Tell us a little bit about your company and your background.
In 1994, Jeff Taylor founded Monster Job Board in the US, the first internet-based recruitment platform. Monster became available in Germany in 2000 and four years later, it overtook the market leader - jobpilot.de. In the meantime, Monster has developed its local presence around the world and is available in 40 countries.
How important is job searching via the internet in 2013?
Over the last several years, the internet has become an increasingly important tool in recruiting.
Our most recent studies clearly demonstrate that internet-based recruiting channels are far ahead of other sources when it comes to job searches and placements. Internet job portals have become the most popular.
When searching online for a suitable job or candidate, the quality of the results is far more important than the quantity.
Our semantic search – currently available as a beta in Germany – finds jobs based not only on traditional criteria such as title, qualifications and industry, but is also capable of interpreting the search terms in such a way as to find appropriate results based on context.
This allows user to find jobs that may not even contain the terms they initially searched for. As a result it is no longer necessary for users to tediously input multiple job titles when performing a job search.
And moreover, results can also be filtered to only show those available in a specific city or region, for example, jobs in Stuttgart.
Monster has also released apps for several different mobile operating systems in order to accommodate the ever-increasing number of mobile internet users.
Furthermore, our Facebook application, BeKnown, is also available in a mobile version. It allows job seekers to inform themselves about new opportunities and to network while they’re on-the-go.
I’m a job seeker– where should I look online?
Candidates searching actively for attractive employers can use portals such as monster.de or jobpilot.de but they can also opt to search for a company’s profile on Facebook.
Other good sources of information on potential employers are platforms that allow workers to rate their employers or job fairs, such as the ones supported by Monster (CeBIT, for example), where potential employers introduce themselves to prospective employees.
More than 80 per cent of Germans prefer applying for jobs electronically because of the several distinct advantages it offers. Applying over the internet is fast, simple and inexpensive.
Can you give us your best tips for a successful online apply?
It is important to use a ‘neutral’ email address when sending applications – some email addresses that are intended for personal use may not resonate well with
employers. Photos should also be shot and edited professionally.
A candidate’s CV, references, writing samples and other documents should be systematically named and preferably, saved as PDF files. Email attachments should not exceed 3MB. By following these rules, you ensure that the recipient can open the email and that it will be displayed properly.
Generic applications are also a no-go online. As a job seeker, one should be able to clearly and individually formulate why they want a particular job in their motivation letter. They should also be able to convincingly outline why they think they are the best candidate for the job.
Visually appealing formats are recommended and one should also keep in mind that grammatical errors are taboo. It is all too easy to press the ‘send’ button so candidates are recommended to double-check everything. Have the right documents been attached? Has the application been addressed to the correct person? Is the subject line correct?
A standardized profile on an online job community doesn’t leave much room for error, as form and contents are usually predetermined. However, if you present yourself on a forum or your own web page, pay close attention to the design and other details.
Lastly, honesty is the best policy. Information that has been released onto the internet tends to stay there and can be read, questioned and commented on by anyone.
Can companies to search for employees abroad on jobpilot.de?
Jobpilot.de is a German portal which hosts online job postings. However, on monster.de, both companies and potential candidates can search worldwide for new opportunities or employees.
How will job searching develop in the near future?
Mobile apps are becoming increasingly important for the simple reason that mobile internet use is rising rapidly in conjunction with the rising use of mobile devices.
Smartphones and tablets have become omnipresent companions in the modern working environment. With its repertoire of mobile apps, Monster is actively catering to these demands.
The significance of social media in recruiting is also set to increase. The opportunity for employers and job seekers to exchange dialogue on the social web is a major development. Both companies and employees are likely to increasingly use social networks in their recruitment or job search efforts and we see social media as an ideal extension to online job portals.
Article sponsored by jobpilot.de/Monster Worldwide Deutschland GmbH
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