Unemployment and the Web
April 1st, 2010 | by Stuart Parker Published in Digital inclusion
Announced a few weeks back with at the Digital Inclusion conference, the new Jobcentreplus Iphone App really does miss the point. Currently (and for a few years now), the Internet provides a wealth of free-to-use tools that if connected and used in a creative manner, can support a whole range of stuff, including unemployment.
What many of the existing, prescribed services fail to recognise when it comes to employment issues is how personal any given situation can be. As is usually the case with tech and folk, one size rarely fits all. There are many CV services, job sites, ‘one stop shops’ claiming that they’re here to help when really, very few of them have the job seeker at heart (It’s now argued that the Government’s push to get everyone online is basically a cost cutting exercise). With many of the manufacturing industries taking a hit during the recession, there is the possibility of many people aged 40+ without the skills to be confident online. Are these figures adding to the 12 odd million so called ‘digitally excluded’?
So can job seekers benefit from being online? Yes and in many ways but the experience should be focussed and supported. The tools available mean that using the Internet can either drive the job seeking endeavours or merely act as a supporting tool to more traditional methods. For example, by using a mix of free Google tools it is possible to create a personalised system which can help keep track of job seeking activities. Email aside, it can be used to manage tasks, contacts, appointments, latest jobs using RSS, writing CVs, covering letters and storing interview tips and tricks, amongst other things.
The social aspect of the web has plenty to offer too. However, it can take time to get to grips with if unfamiliar. There are numerous support networks and finding the right mix of online connections between friends, family, work related and other, can be tricky. But taking the time to be confident with social technology can bring real rewards. Opportunities, information, increased confidence while all the time learning. Learning from others and learning by exploration which confidence brings.
There are opportunities here. Of course by taking steps to become confident with online tools won’t necessarily get anyone a job. Are there enough jobs out there right now? but with the right support, the tools can definitely help. But until the decision makers ‘get’ this stuff though, it sadly doesn’t look like much will change for the foreseeable future.
