If you’re unemployed or ready to make a career change, there’s no time like the present to use the Internet to help you with your job search. Looking for a job has never been an easy task. Fortunately, these days, the Internet is an effective tool for online job search.
All of us have searched for jobs at one point of the time or other. In fact, depending on your job and your job satisfaction, you may be looking for a new job even after you are gainfully employed.
Here are some steps to keep in mind for a successful job search:
Before You Go Online
Ensure your CV is up to date and formatted as a word document and PDF file.
Customise your CV
Sending a customized CV to each company means saving a template of a generic resume, and then saving each customized version separately. Should you ever get called up for an interview, you’ll want to be able to find that particular version of the CV you sent.
Use relevant keywords
Sometimes an employer may use a computer search to ‘sort’ out applicants. This means that the computer will search your on line form for ‘keywords’. These may include qualifications, special skills or experience. Read the job advert carefully. Try and use these words as often as you can.
Don’t spam your CV
Go after a couple of positions but don’t target hundred. Think quality over quantity. Be specific, research for companies that you would like to work for and that you are truly qualified to fill. Don’t apply for more than one position at a company, or you’ll be out of the running because you won’t be seen as focused. In this way you will have more chances of success.
Company Web Sites
Check out the recruitment pages of companies you’d like to work for.
Sign up for job alerts and RSS feeds
On most job boards, you can register to receive emails alerting you to new postings that meet your criteria, such as location or keyword. Most also allow you to select their frequency, such as daily or weekly. Note that email alerts from niche job sites are likely to be even more narrowly tailored to your expertise.
Also consider signing up for RSS feeds. RSS is short for really simple syndication, which is an automated electronic information-sharing system that allows you to receive content in an easy-to-read format. You can sign up for RSS feeds for postings from many job boards.
Managing Your Time Online
It can be easy to get lost in the listings for hours, especially if you’re replying to lots of them. So how can you make sure you’re using your time effectively? How can you track your progress?
By making sure you start in a new place every day, and that at the end of each day of searching, you’ve learned something new.
Use social network sites
Social networking can be a very valuable job search tool. Update your status to let your online contacts know you are looking for a job.
Always use discretion when entering personal information online to avoid identity fraud.
Use your contacts and expand your network
Making new professional contacts is known as ‘networking’ and is a crucial way to find out information and get advice to help find jobs and develop your career. Take advantage of opportunities to network – whether socially, at recruitment fairs, employer events, or online.
Use Linkedin
When a potential employer Googles you, what will they find? Linkedin. This professional networking site is well optimised for search, so it appears high in search results. Your profile creates a branded page for you, with a URL you can use in your CV.
Did you ever land a great job? What was your secret weapon? Or what do you struggle with most when applying for jobs?
