Project Play

A couple of weeks ago, NPR ran a story called “Knowing the new rules of recruitment.” I’d encourage you to listen to the whole story , but here’s the quick summary:

The ways that companies recruit for jobs and their expectations for applicants are changing. Gone are the days of the paper resume. One executive of an online company was quoted: “If someone sends us a paper resume folded in thirds, stuffed in an envelope, it’s hard to take it seriously.” More employers expect communication via email, resumes submitted electronically, and applicants to have an online presence through blogs and sites like LinkedIn.

Libraries all over the country are assisting unemployed people with new skills to help them find jobs. After hearing this story, I found myself worrying (well, I’m a worry-wart, so any reason to worry is a good one!) and asking myself some questions:

• Along with typing and how to make a resume in Word, are we teaching fundamental email skills that are second nature now to most of us , like email netiquette?
• Are we teaching jobseekers how to create an online presence and how to make that presence reflect what they want to convey to employers?
• Are we teaching the tools for modern jobseekers, like LinkedIn?

I don’t know the answers to these questions, but I do think we need to recognize that “the way we’ve always done it” may not be helping as much as we’d like.

(Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewmatt/1864823746/)

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