Communications technology completely changed the way we research and apply for a job, in the last twenty years. All applications for jobs was done largely on a face to face process, in 1990, with a careers or recruitment professional making judgments on your suitability that could have a major impact on your choices and the career advice you received.

In 2000, it was all still controlled by the hub of the network, which connected job seekers with prospective employers – recruitment professionals; but the emergence of the Internet had given job seekers websites to look for roles and email to send CVs. The good news in 2010, is that the new realities of career planning and job search works for everyone; with the Internet still driving change and at an even more rapid rate.

Global networking
Highly effective, social networking technology connects people with common goals or interests. Savvy recruitment professionals use this to connect with the best talent to provide to their clients, so those looking for career advice and job opportunities can connect with them here. The success and reach of sites such as LinkedIn, Xing and Viadeo have added a super-charged dimension to the age-old benefits of networking.

Visibility is now easy
Anyone can build an online brand that says the right things about them to key contacts and prospective employers, with the sophistication of Google’s search results, Facebook and Twitter. Keep an eye on what noise there is about you online, because recruiters will take note if it says the wrong things about you.

Many online resources are free
You often need time, travel and money, to get detailed career assessment and advice. There are  extensive sets of career planning tools that have been developed expressly to help individuals take control of their job search, online resources such as those at Careerplan4.me, which give you direct access.

Humans and not technology is still the key
Job seekers, recruiters and employers are being affected by the technological positive changes in the job market, so information can be accessed quickly, but the process can only be taken so far by technology. There are more opportunities which are created and identified with its help, but it still up to the candidate to do the rest of the leg work. Only the human factor can decide if there is a suitability for the role in a successful career move.