CareerBuilder.com writer
While the popularity of online job boards puts millions of jobs at one's fingertips, it has also made the job applicant pool that much bigger. For this reason, national job search sites and the Internet as a whole have gotten a bad rap from some industry professionals as an ineffective job seeker tool; on the contrary, the Internet actually can be a great resource for job seekers -- they just need to know how to use it.
CareerBuilder.com writer
While the popularity of online job boards puts millions of jobs at one's fingertips, it has also made the job applicant pool that much bigger. For this reason, national job search sites and the Internet as a whole have gotten a bad rap from some industry professionals as an ineffective job seeker tool; on the contrary, the Internet actually can be a great resource for job seekers -- they just need to know how to use it.
When it comes to a fruitful online job search, successful job seekers follow these 10 guidelines.
1. If you build it, they can come. Instead of simply posting your resume on a Web site, take it one step further and design an easily-navigable Web site or online portfolio where recruiters can view your body of work, read about your goals and obtain contact information.
2. Check yourself to make sure you haven't wrecked yourself. Google yourself to see what comes up -- and what potential employers will see if they do the same. If you don't like what you find, it's time to do damage control.
3. Narrow your options. Many job boards offer filters to help users refine their search results more quickly. You should have the option to narrow your job search by region, industry and duration, and, oftentimes, you can narrow it even more by keywords, company names, experience needed and salary.
4. Go directly to the source. Instead of just applying for the posted job opening, one of the best strategies to finding a job is to first figure out where you want to work, target that company or industry and then contact the hiring manager. Also, many employers' career pages invite visitors to fill out candidate profiles, describing their background, jobs of interest, salary requirements and other preferences.
5. Find your niche with industry Web sites. Refine your search even more by visiting your industry's national or regional Web site, where you can find jobs in your field that might not appear on a national job board. More and more employers are advertising jobs on these sites in hopes of getting a bigger pool of qualified applicants.
6. Try online recruiters. Recruiters will help match you with jobs that meet your specific skills and needs. Not sure where to start? Sites such as recruiterlink.com, onlinerecruitersdirectory.com, searchfirm.com and i-recruit.com provide links to online headhunters for job seekers.
7. Utilize video resumes. Video resumes are just one more way to stand out to employers. Intended as supplements to -- not replacements for -- traditional resumes, video resumes allow job seekers to showcase a little bit of their personalities and highlight one or two points of interest on their resumes.
8. Run queries. You run searches on everything else, from your high school sweetheart to low-fat recipes, so why not jobs? Enter a query that describes the exact kind of job you're seeking and you may find more resources you wouldn't find otherwise (but be prepared to do some sorting).
9. Utilize job alerts. Most job boards have features that allow you to sign up to receive e-mail alerts about newly available jobs that match your chosen criteria. Or go a step further and arrange an RSS (really simple syndication) feed from one of these job sites to appear on your customized Internet homepage or your PC's news-reader software.
10. Get connected. How many times have you been told that it's not what you know, but who you know? Thanks to the emergence of professional networking sites like LinkedIn.com, job seekers no longer have to rely on the old standby of exchanging business cards with strangers. These sites are composed of millions of industry professionals and allow you to connect with people you know and the people they know and so forth. (A word of caution: When you sign up for online social networking sites, you are in a public domain. Unless you are able to put a filter on some of your information, nothing is private, and it can be difficult to erase once it is posted.)
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Jun 18th 2009 @ 5:21PM Mr CV
Free CV and Resume Templates
http://www.scribd.com/people/documents/9817307
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Jun 18th 2009 @ 9:56PM Kim Randall
Wow! No one even said what a great post this is before spamming?? Good stuff, enjoyed reading it.
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Jun 19th 2009 @ 1:07PM Dustin DeVries
Some good points here for job seekers...Careful though with point #7. Video resumes can be very risky and many employers/HR managers are hesitant review for valid legal reasons. Again, good article...points #2 and #10 are so critical in your job search today.
https://www.leaddawg.com/main/blog.cfm
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Jun 19th 2009 @ 2:45PM Don
The rules have changed. If you're looking for a great job, with a great company, with great benefits, that you will have your entire life, until you retire, stop looking. That was then this is now. That job doesn't exist anymore for 99% of us. Unless you have unique and remarkable skills you better figure out what will work best for you and your family. I am a former executive who left the corporate world to help people adjust to the new realities. My suggestion to most is to do what millions of people are doing now, find a good home business. That won't work for everyone but if you find one that you can get into for virtually no investment and learn the right skills, you should do well.
There are two opportunities that my clients have had the most success with. One is an amazing opportunity to profit from Ebay and there are well over 720,000 people making a full time living with them. http://cli.gs/HomeBizSuccessSystem That's a huge company to work with. The other great opportunity is working with a company that we all know, Google, http://cli.gs/GoogleCashSystem
So many of my clients tell me that they are loving working for themselves, making more money than before, in less time, and enjoy the extra time they have to spend with their families.
Avoid all MLM, they are mostly scams.
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Jun 20th 2009 @ 12:13PM drbj
Excellent tips. Thank you. From my experience, tip #11 would be that the secret to finding a job in today's challenging market is how well you have networked with others during your entire life. Not just your career, but your life. And networking is not asking other people for info about opportunities. It's staying connected with everyone you ever knew and asking for advice. That's the operational word, advice. To stay connected with your network, you offer info from articles you've read and rumors you've heard. It's quid pro quo. Then others will offer you info when you need it. The most down to earth stuff I've read about networking is a chapter in the new book, Much of What You Know about Job Search Just Ain't So. Ain't that the truth? Check it out at http://bn.com and you can read Chapter One free. More tips at http://is.gd/VLiv
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Jun 22nd 2009 @ 12:08AM Jon
While the economy struggles and millions of Americans lose their jobs, the Home Business Industry is thriving. I joined a company called LGN (highly reputable ... look it up) that is making me thousands in a down economy. Check it out ... http://www.EasyHomeEarning.com
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Jun 23rd 2009 @ 6:12PM Cornel
WHATTT "RECESSION"????
There is a "Famous" Quote that goes something like this, "The Major
Key To Your Better "Financial" Future Is YOU!"
If you are Open-Minded, a BIG Thinker and ready to get your "own"
(MBA)Massive-Bank-Account, CHECK THIS OUT!!!
What Do You Have To LOSE?>http://www.casshnurface.com
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Jun 24th 2009 @ 4:35PM Kastner
The #1 Job Opportunity in America. There are lotions, potions, juices, vacations, candles, herbs, legal plans and
this and that. Who can afford these luxury items with the economy the way it is? People are tightening their belts and getting rid of anything that they don't need. And on top of that, these companies are charging up to $500 in start up costs!
Start your own business today offering the most sought out commodity in America, Healthcare! Everyone needs healthcare! Earn up to $160 per person in up-front commissions while earning up to $60 per month in ongoing monthly residuals on every person you sign up.
This isn't one of those discount plans and it's accepted at EVERY doctor, hospital and dentist nationwide! This medical and dental program is only $85 per family, per month! No License Needed!
All these opportunities cost money to sign up, not us. We'll also give you 2 paid vacations per year, medical and dental benefits, 401k, car allowances of up to $1000 per month, and 8 other ways to earn an income. Keep in mind, it cost's NOTHING to get your business started today!
What's it going to be? Pay one of these mlm's to sign up and offer a product that families can't afford because of the economy or sign up today (no cost) and offer a product that everyone (including yourself) is looking for, medical and dental benefits.
Learn more about this 26 year old, debt free, recession proof, non profit business. Please feel free to give me a call or visit my web site @ http://www.iabmemberships.com
800-800-2716
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Jun 24th 2009 @ 7:06PM Vince
This is a really great top ten list Mary. I think you have a lot of good recommendations that a lot of people out there will need. I agree with some other commentors that working for yourself is the way to go. If you can find a sustainable business, then you do not have to rely on others for your employment. Anyone can post their own list to our site http://www.toptentopten.com/. The coolest feature is you can let other people vote on the rankings of your list.
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Aug 24th 2009 @ 5:44PM lynn
go to selectcandidates.com and send your resume.
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