5 Ways to Make my Online Job Search Effective

By Brad - Wednesday 2 Jul 12:39 pm

 

In less than a decade more than 75 million people have established a job search account at Monster.com. Millions more have used sites like Careerbuilder.com and Hotjobs.com or some other website dedicated to employment opportunities. With all these people searching no one wants to get lost in the crowd. Consider these five approaches to making your job search effective.  

 

1. Focus the search with keywords. Don’t waste time and energy searching too wide a variety of job listings or applying for jobs you don’t want. Know what you are seeking then use keywords to focus your search.

 

2. Use multiple sites. Limiting your search to one job search website limits your opportunity. Employers don’t list on every available site; it isn’t cost effective. Some industries have their own career websites. Look around or consider a site like Indeed.com when you begin your search. Indeed.com and others search multiple job sites at the same time which may speed up your job search.

 

3. Market yourself professionally. Employers who list online screen applicants to weed out a large portion before they even start planning interviews. Don’t get eliminated for an unprofessional package. Prepare cover letter templates and resume ahead of time in plain text document so they can be read no matter what programs the employer is using. Have them reviewed and edited to avoid typos and errors. Establish an email address for your job search that is simple and professional. Some employers are just as savvy online as you are and can easily check your social networking page. Drunken photos, sexual innuendo (or worse) are not professional and may cost you the chance at a second look.

 

4. Follow directions listed in the job listing. Employers do not want to hire people who cannot follow instructions. Read the job listing and follow the instructions regarding what they are looking for and how they want that information. Many toss out any applicants who do not follow instructions without even glancing at the resume.

 

5. Apply for positions you are qualified for. Don’t waste time – yours or the employer’s. Know whether you are qualified and apply only if you meet the employer’s basic needs.

 

In order to make your online job search effective you should use the tools to your advantage. Start with these five simple rules and your search will yield more advantageous results.

 

Posted in: Job Search

5 Proven Job Search Methods

By Brad - Thursday 5 Jun 6:24 pm

Beginning a job search can be overwhelming whether a person has been recently laid off or is considering options for a growth opportunity. Keep a few simple options in mind and your search will prove successful.

1. Develop an organized system. If you don’t take your job search seriously why would anyone else. Searching for a job is similar to having a job. Set up a schedule for searching, posting resumes, networking and making follow-ups. Make your search a professional priority is taking the first step.

2. Go to the source. If you are looking for a specific position in an industry do not limit yourself to large and generic job search sites. Head directly to the employers you are interested in and apply via their site or human resources department. Do not limit yourself to only the well known employers in your field either; try small and mid-size companies as well.

3. Work with a staffing firm that services your industry. If you’ve sent your resume to the companies you are interested in or if you’ve searched several sites and found no openings, you may need professional help for your job search. Consider a headhunter or staffing service that specializes in your industry. These services have direct and up-to-date contact with potential employers. They will also review your resume and provide insider information about what potential employers are looking for.

4. Network at industry events and through professional organization websites and forums. No matter how old-fashioned you think networking is or how you think the internet has improved job searching, there is little substitute for getting out and making your self known to potential employers.

5. Send cover letters and resumes to a specific person not “to whom it may concern” or to the “hiring manager”. Employers and human resources departments receive resumes and applications by the hundreds. You will be just another number added to the pile or scanned then disposed of unless what you offer stands out. The first step in getting noticed is to get your information to the right party then wow them.

Follow these five simple steps and your job search will begin the journey to a new job in the right direction. Just remember to be consistent and keep following up, you will get the job that is right for you.

Posted in: Job Search