How to stay on top of job search trends in 2019

How to stay on top of job search trends in 2019How to stay on top of job search trends in 2019Best practices for seeking a new job seem to change continually. Trying to keep up with the latest job search trends may feel impossible, especially when youre already stressed and anxious about looking for new employment.If you find yourself in this situation, take a deep breath and relax. You can handle this. And with a little planning, you can keep track of the trends, too. Heres a few ways how.Notice job descriptionsFirst, educate yourself. Pay close attention to the job listings you read. What are hiring managers emphasizing, and how are they wording their descriptions? Echo that language when youre communicating with them, and look for patterns that seem to be prevalent in your industry. If you focus on the details, youll likely identify some trends specific to your area of expertise that will help you in your search.Pay attention to company/industry news.Take advantage ofnewsletters a nd blogs from job search sites, as theyre likely to offer a wealth of constantly updated knowledge about the latest recruiting trends. FlexJobs offers a job seeker newsletter, for example, andthe sites bloghas all kinds of useful tidbits for people trying to search for work in the fruchtwein effective and efficient way possible.Keeping up withgeneral economic and financial news, both nationally and regionally, is another good idea. Companies change their hiring plans as they react to the economic pressures and realities they face. If you are following broader financial trends, it may give you an early indication of which way the job market is heading and what you can do to show your value to potential employers.Use your networkBringing your efforts closer to home, tap into your network. Ask others in your industrywhat trends they see in recruiting and retentionin your line of work. You probably know at least one or two HR specialists from previous employers who can give you suggesti ons in this regard, as watching the trends is an important part of their jobs. Stay in contact with them, anddont be afraid to pick their brains on occasion. Theyll likely be happy to share some info.Go to a conferenceYou may want to attend a conference or two to further boost your network and your knowledge of the latest job hunting trends in your industry.Conferences can be pricey, says an article from Design Shack. This is true so be choosy.plek one super valuable conferencefor what you do and go. It will be worth it. Make the most of the experience and attend as many sessions as possible, network with movers and shakers and participate in a panel or discussion if possible. Talk to vendors as well. Pick up some swag. See whats new. All of these things can help you see what others are doing andwhat might be around the corner.Utilize social mediaSocial media is another good source to mine for job search trends, according to an article from Walrath Recruiting. It recommends looking for thepersonal accounts of influencers and expertsyou find through blog posts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.That way, you receive updates more immediately, the article says. You may just be surprised who is active online Its worth a look to see if you canfind someone to keep you in the loop with everything new in your field.As you identify the latest job search trends, it will be up to you to decide which are fads that will fizzle as quickly as they appeared, and which are likely to define hiring decisions for years to come. This can be difficult, so remember to ask trusted friends and colleagues for feedback when youre implementing a change to your cover letter, resume, or interview plan. Their honest opinions should help you make the right moves.And remember, when it comes to landing a new job,substance will always trump trendiness. The latter may help you get your foot in the door. But to get the gig, you need to be honest and complete in your resume, prepare well for inte rviews, and represent yourself with poise while emphasizing your experience and expertise. Thats a trend that will never change.This article was originally published on FlexJobs.