Could Google Glass help you land a job?
On April Fools Day, a University of Michigan employee wrote a satirical piece crediting the wearable computer for winning over his dream employer. He joked about using the device to look up last-minute interview techniques, research the boss on LinkedIn and watch inspirational videos before meeting at company headquarters.
The article was a work of fiction, but Google Glass has sparked plenty of realistic conversations about the future of the job search.
Google unveiled Project Glass in 2012 before inviting a select few to test the wearable computer with built-in optical display. Jessica Miller-Merrell, an early adopter, used her experience to predict how employers could use the gadget to improve talent acquisition. In her report, she pointed out how Glass is a natural extension of our society’s increased demand for immediate results. We want the world at our fingertips, and we want it now. To stay competitive, she says, employers must jump ahead of the curve and anticipate future job seeker needs, today.
Miller-Merrell suggests that companies should ramp up their activity on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube. They need to blog more and involve individuals in active, ongoing conversations. Just as customer service has shifted from a top-down model to a two-way street, companies could shift gears to begin the candidate experience by treating “friends” and followers as serious prospects.
Many employers are already in the practice of laying the groundwork for new hires long before they post job openings. But with the added pressure of competing with short attention spans (and a stronger job market), companies are likely to take Miller-Merrell’s advice and give recruitment a seriously modern makeover.
Fortunately, you don’t need Google Glass to attract employers. In fact, all you need is an Internet connection and a willingness to be proactive. Here are three simple things you can do ASAP to position yourself for career opportunities with a little help from advanced technology:
1. Clean Up
Glass makes it incredibly easy to access all kinds of information about total strangers the minute you meet them. Hiring managers could use the all-seeing spectacles to fact-check candidates as they share information during an interview.
Of course, they’re already checking you out using the familiar Google search engine, so make sure your social media profiles are workplace appropriate — no shots of you taking shots, no inflammatory posts about politics or religion.
2. Reach Out
Employers are looking for people like you — make sure you’re easy to find. (Tweet this thought.) Join LinkedIn groups that are relevant to your industry and participate in conversations to demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge of relevant subjects. Follow companies on LinkedIn and Twitter; like their Facebook pages and engage in meaningful dialogue.
This type of interaction will also reveal much about company cultures. The images they post, questions they ask and interest they show in their social audience could help you determine whether you want to be part of their “candidate experience.”
3. Mind Your Manners
Some things never change. Early Google Glass adopters (aka, Explorers) have learned the hard way how not to act while wearing the wraparound spectacles. A lot of Glass etiquette is just common sense and offers useful reminders for the way you should conduct yourself while looking for employment.
For example, Google warns users not to “Glass out,” or stop paying attention in critical situations. Stay sharp in interviews and listen closely to what the employer has to say. Make note of important company goals, hiring objectives, etc.
Google also suggests turning off Glass in movie theaters and in establishments where customers might not want to be filmed by the device’s hidden camera. So take a hint and turn off your cell phone before an interview. Recognize there’s a time and place for certain gadgets.
In other words, don’t be a “Glasshole.”
How has technology changed the way you approach your job search? Share in the comments!
Originally posted on Career Enlightenment, written by Jamie Gadette of JobDash.
Image: Flickr
