Tips for Online Job Hunting

Jul 2, 2012Tips & Tricks0 comments

In the area of career management, you strive to land the job that you’ve always wanted. After I decided to leave my last position, I was left trying to find a job that fit my long list of credentials that I could stay at for years, work my way up, and make a lot of money. I was still employed working 9 hours a day and didn’t have time to hit the pavement looking for that needle in a haystack. In this situation, a logical place to turn is the Internet. However, if you want to make the most of what the Internet has to offer career advancement, you need to make sure that you handle it correctly. Here are a few tips for online job hunting.

Check the Job Boards

One of the best places to check when getting started are the online job boards. There are several online job boards that you can check out, and all of them typically have many postings. Many employers will come to these centralized locations when they need to post a job that needs to be filled. Many times, the job board will direct you to a secondary website where you can apply for the job that you want.

Use Social Media

In the past, online job listings were about the only resource you had when it came to finding a job. Today, you can use social media to your advantage as well. There are a number of different social networking sites out there that you can participate in, and network with people in your field. For example, LinkedIn is one of the best when it comes to networking with other people for a job. When using these sites, you don’t want to come out and specifically asked for a job. However, you should spend some time getting to know people, and then opportunities will present themselves.

Don’t Just Rely on the Internet

Although sending an email with your resume attached is very simple, you can’t rely on that alone to get you a job. If you really want a job, you might need to be a little bit more proactive. Apply online and send a copy of your resume. Phone the company to talk to someone. Stop by in person to visit with a human resources manager, if possible. You have to be engaged if you want to separate yourself from the pack and get a job.

Be Persistent

There will be several emails that aren’t responded to and applications that will be lost in transition, but you must be persistent. The saying goes “with every no you’re closer to a yes.” With every rejection you gain knowledge of what employers are looking for and the steps you need to take to get closer to landing that dream job.