Job hunting is hard.
To even land an interview, much less a job offer, candidates need a well-crafted resume, cover letter, and online application to stand out from the crowd.
However, this application process becomes incredibly more challenging for many Canadians who do not have readily available access to technology, specifically computers.
Which Canadians have access to computers?
According to the Communications Monitoring Report by the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) (2019), in 2017 84.1% of Canadian households had a computer and 89.5% had a mobile phone. Unsurprisingly, this report also showed that the difference between owning a computer and phone was most apparent in the lowest income quintile, with 73.1% of these households having a mobile phone and only 63.4% having a home computer.
Whether it is out of necessity or convenience, if you are job hunting using a phone or tablet, continue reading for tips on how to navigate the job-hunting process, sans computer.
What qualifies as a mobile job search?
A mobile job search is when a job seeker entirely or predominantly uses mobile technology (e.g., a tablet or phone) from the start to finish of the job-hunting process.
The pros of a mobile job hunt are convenience and accessibility (e.g., you can take your phone anywhere). However, the cons are that often a phone can limit the quality and quantity of work you can do (e.g., it is harder to write a resume).
8 tips for your mobile job search
1. Have an accessible and (ideally) editable resume and cover letter on your phone. Word, Google Docs, and/or mobile resume-writing apps are all good options. Always save and send these documents as a PDF to avoid formatting issues.
2. Use notification alerts. Many job-hunting websites will allow for notification alerts when certain roles are posted. Set these up so you can easily be updated on new roles that may interest you. Click here to learn how to set up email search alerts on CharityVillage.
3. Create a professional email signature. In addition to having a professional-sounding email address (e.g., JaneDoe@business.net.co), edit your signature from “Sent from my iPhone” to something like:
Cheers,
[Your full name]
[Your number]
[Link to your professional website]
Of note, if you use one email address for both personal and professional uses, edit out your number and website links if you are cautious of internet security. After all, you don’t want to unnecessarily send out your personal information.
4. Stay professional and polished. Even though you’re using your phone, do not let poor writing habits creep their way into your applications. Remember, autocorrect is not always your friend on mobile, and mistakes and typos can quickly add up. Proofread everything multiple times, and check for spelling, grammar, and formatting. This is especially important on application portals where formatting can sometimes be off if done on a mobile device.
5. Network. Use career websites to connect with professionals. Show interest in their organization and keep an eye out for career fairs or information sessions.
6. Update your online presence. Not only should you tidy up your social media, which can be used as part of background searches, but also ensure that your professional websites are clean and updated (e.g., having a nice headshot, effective bio etc).
7. Make good use of your notes app and keep track of all your applications. For example, what roles you applied for and when, and the specifications of each job (e.g., title, organization, salary etc.). Also, save links to any job-hunting board that you can check regularly.
8. Be resourceful for virtual interviews. You’d be surprised what a few little adjustments can do to your phone’s video quality! Specifically, use lamps and natural lighting to brighten up your room, move items to ensure a clean background, wear earphones, and use books, tape, and a sturdy item to help hold your phone up at a good angle. Also, try to position yourself near the internet router and ask others in the home to stay off the Wi-Fi. Lastly, always do a technology check before the interview and download relevant software to your phone (e.g., Zoom or Microsoft Teams).
Final thoughts
Just because you are using a mobile device over a computer doesn’t mean that your job search has to suffer. By using the resources available to you consciously and mindfully, you can better ensure your success when applying.
Good luck!
Julia Halabourda is an experienced Burnaby art and recreation programmer, educator (focus in the fine arts and theatre), and nonprofit writer. She has her Bachelor of General Studies from SFU’s Faculty of Education with Minors in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Psychology, and Social Justice in Education. She also has her Nonprofit Management Associate’s Certificate from BCIT. Julia has been writing with Charity Village since August 2020 and her past articles can be accessed here. Julia can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-halabourda/.
