How to Job Search Effectively

Let's face it, in this economy, it is a realistic fear of many people that they will wind up out of work. The question then becomes, "What do I do now?"

For many, searching for a job is as simple as pulling out the newspaper and pouring through the Classified section. However, in this day and age, pouring through the Classifieds is akin to driving a Flintstone car.

The internet has changed so much of our daily existence, including job searching. If you do a search for "job search" you will come up with a plethora of sites that might just overwhelm you enough to crawl back under the covers and job search tomorrow.

The trick to searching for a job in today's world is to know where to look online to find a job. Search engines, job sites and other online classifieds open doors more quickly, with wider range and in more detail than any newspaper Classified section can offer.

Instructions

1. The most common way to search for a job is to look on any number of web sites dedicated to job searching. Depending upon your area of expertise, you may find specific web sites that are dedicated to jobs within your career field. The flip side to this equation, is using a website that has a broader scope of positions available in different career fields.

   The biggest of all the job search web sites is Monster (www.monster.com.) The first step is to sign up as a member of this site, which is free. You then create your profile and post your resume. If you are currently working, posting your resume is advisable because you may have a recruiter or a company contact you and offer you a better position, all without ever looking for a job. However, if you are out of work, you can search the Monster database for any range of positions and apply for them online.

   Other job search web sites include DICE (www.dice.com), CareerJet (www.careerjet.com)and Job Seekers (www.jobseekers.com.) There are other sites dedicated to specific fields, as well. All of these sites work in pretty much the same manner - register, post your resume and create a profile.

   But, what happens at the company end, you might wonder. The companies featured on these sites generally would have some sort of software at their site which accepts the applications and puts them through the process of screening applicants. You may or may not receive auto-generated emails from the application letting you know of your status in the job search.

2. There are also web sites that you might not automatically think of for searching for a job. One of these sites is Craigslist (www.craigslist.com.) Craigslist might allude you at first since it is the melting pot for so many types of services and products. You can find furniture, jobs, housing, information on upcoming events, participate in discussion forums and even find your next date. Buyer beware, however, that anyone can post to Craigslist and be careful not to fall victim to a scam. Always do a Google search of the name of the person interviewing you and check with the Better Business Bureau in regards to the company. Other than Craigslist, your local city website may offer jobs posted locally in your area.

3. The third place to look is at website specifically for your career field. Most companies have websites and advertise employment opportunites on them. Check on them regularly for the chance to see what they may have available.

   Another way to job search is to stay networked within your career field. One way to do this is to join LinkedIn (www.LinkedIn.com.) This site allows you to post a profile about yourself and connect with other people in your field. Although this is not a job search site, it keeps you in contact with people who might be able to point you towards a job in your field. Sometimes word of mouth and bridges built are the best methods of searching for a job.

   Whatever your status is right now - working or not - always be prepared with an updated resume on hand. Don't get too comfortable in your position because the loyalty that you may feel toward your job, may not be reciprocated by your employer and you may find yourself looking for a job tomorrow. If so, I hope that this article is helpful and wish you the most success in your search!

Tips & Warnings

• If at first you don't succeed ... find another way to succeed!