While the internet is an amazing tool for finding all kinds of information, it is not as easy to find a job online as you might have been led to believe. In fact, you can easily waste hours of your time going from one website to another and still not find a job that suits you. To have any chance of success, you need to create a job search strategy.
Here is a 5 step job search strategy for success:
Choose the right job site
If you perform a quick job search in Google, you will find links to hundreds of job sites. Most of them are a waste of time. Stay clear of websites that do not have ads for the types of job you are looking for or are too general that you won’t find what. There are a multitude of industry-specific job sites that can prove quite fortuitous, particularly if you are aiming for a particular field, so focus your efforts there. Use carefully thought-out keywords to narrow your search. Not all websites appear at the top of the search engine result pages (SERPs), so ask your friends, university or trade organization to suggest some good websites.
Sign up for e-mail alerts
Even on a site that advertises the type of job you are looking for, there may not always be one that suits your qualifications and experience. However, most of these websites offer e-mail alert services that you can join for free. Once you have signed up – which usually requires you to enter nothing more than your name and e-mail address – they regularly send you job postings that match your job search criteria. Make sure that the emails end up in your inbox folder and not in your spam folder.
Upload your resume to job sites and portfolio sites
There are many job sites that allow you to upload your resume for potential employers to see, as well as portfolio builder sites (e.g. about.me) which help round out your virtual profile. When you upload your resume and any relevant portfolio items to job sites, always practice smart online security and never provide your full address or SIN details. To make it easier for potential employers to find you, research the right keywords and use them in your resume and profile.
Link with your social media pages
Social media sites like Twitter and LinkedIn are great places for not only connecting with friends, but also connecting with potential employers. These days, many employers actively research and look at job applicants’ social media sites before calling them for an interview. Therefore, if you are looking for a job, it is important to pay attention to what you post on your personal social media sites. LinkedIn is especially good for finding a job as it is a professional networking site.
Find out about the advertiser
Once you have found the job ad you’ve been looking for, go to the advertiser’s website and learn as much as you can about the company, its products and services, and the management team. Find the name of the hiring manager if you can and customize your application. If you know anyone who works at the company or knows anything about it, then speak to that person first and ask for advice; they may even be able to make an introduction or referral.
Need a little extra help? At TempsAhead, we specialize in connecting job seekers and employers, so that each party comes out on top. Check out our current opportunities!
