Need a job now? Use these tips to work smarter – and find the right job sooner.

It's always been hard to make it past the gatekeeper, whether they're the receptionist or the applicant tracking system (ATS). Now it appears there's going to be an even tougher layer of intelligent software that applicants will need to navigate if they want to ever talk to a human interviewer.

What can job seekers do to improve the chances they make it that far?

Just like a resume, social media is a means to an end. From Instagram to LinkedIn, these online platforms are tools you can use to land a job. While you may consider your social posts as a way to communicate ideas and activities with friends, employers are also evaluating what you post to learn about your personality and skills.

If your destination is a great new job, there are many paths your online search can take. What's the better route?

Job interviews are incredibly stressful – and nobody's perfect, right? Just be sure you're not making one of these cringeworthy mistakes in your next one.