The start of a new year is often an opportunity to start fresh with a new job. Maybe you’re tired of your current sales job and are seeking out a more challenging or fruitful opportunity. Maybe you’re in another field and finally going to take the leap to joining the sales industry for its myriad benefits. Either way, expect your job search to be a little different in 2016. With technology always evolving, it’s no surprise that it’s changed the way sales professionals and other job seekers look for employment.

Here’s how your job search will be different this year.

Mobile Recruitment Becoming More Popular

People are increasingly using their smart phones to access the internet. Not only are they going on social media, purchasing products, and reading blogs, but they’re also posting job listings, researching candidates, and accepting applications through mobile. So this year, you should meet hiring managers and recruiters half way by ensuring that you have a presence on innovative mobile platforms.

Temporary Work Is In

Have you ever considered working for yourself? Being your own boss? Making your own schedule? Well this year might be the year to go into employment for yourself. More companies are now looking for outside sales representatives in the form of freelancers, consultants, and contractors. Market yourself as an independent contractor and you might get more hits on quality sales jobs.

More Soft Skills, Less Experience

So much of what makes a person a great sales professional can’t be described. It isn’t the amount of experience a person has, how many conferences he’s been to, or how many sales he’s made. The best sales people have undefinable qualities that make them A-players. In 2016, hiring managers will be less focused on experience and more focused on soft skills and personality.

When writing your resume and cover letter or interviewing for a sales job, make sure to showcase your stellar personality and describe the soft skills that make you a great learner, a great employee, and a great sales person.

Social Media Is Key

Your job search can’t exclusively be focused on job boards this year, because social media is now the go-to job search platform. Hiring managers are posting their job listings on sites like Facebook and Twitter, recruiters are looking for passive candidates on LinkedIn, and candidates are applying to jobs directly through these sites. Get on board so you don’t miss out.

The Reverse Reference Check

You don’t want to end your job search with an employment opportunity that actually doesn’t end up being a good fit for you professionally, morally, or personally. Don’t waste your time. Make sure you reverse reference check potential employers, by checking out their websites and their social media sites and reading reviews to ensure that the company is in line with your goals and values. Cultural fit is important to the successful partnering of employee and employer, and you should be doing your due diligence, too.

Smile, You’re on Camera

Traditional resumes are so 2015. In this new year, you want to stand out as a potential sales candidate. One way to do this is by taking a fresh approach to your resume. Though your skills and experience can be effectively portrayed through paper, your personality can’t shine this way. That’s why it’s a better idea to create a video resume. You’ll be able to offer recruiters and hiring managers a better picture of your interpersonal skills.

Apply Far, Far Away

If you’re not finding any adequate sales positions on your current job search, consider expanding your search to other locations. In today’s market, there’s just no reason to be boxed in because of your area. Virtual jobs are becoming more popular, and companies that see you as a potential asset will find a place for you at one of their other locations that might be closer to you.