Advantages & Disadvantages of Job Hunting on the Internet

Online job searches can pay off.

Hunting for a job using the Internet allows you to consider hundreds of job possibilities without leaving home. You can zip your job application right to waiting employers, research companies and study company websites to get a feel for their business culture. You can also find information online to help you write your resume or prepare for an interview. For all of these advantages, however, job hunting on the Internet also has disadvantages. Knowing both the advantages and disadvantages of online job hunting can help you make the most of this valuable resource.

Timeliness

Not every website is up to date. You may find job listings for positions that were filled months ago, or information about companies that is no longer true. Double-check job listings and the names of company personnel with a quick phone call if possible. Don't waste your time responding to job listings that were posted last year. By the same token, regularly searching the Internet allows you to be first in line to apply when companies post new job openings. And email allows you to quickly follow up with responses to any questions a potential employer may have for you.

Scams

Once you begin your job hunt online, you may suddenly find your inbox full of email from companies promising to find you a job — for a fee. You may also encounter legitimate-looking websites advertising job-hunting services. Many of these companies collect money for doing things you could do for yourself. They'll do a cursory Internet search and return the same job listings you could have found for free. Don't pay money to a company that solicits you online. But do take advantage of the many free online services. If you post your resume online on job boards or on your personal website, don't include a physical address to protect yourself from criminals who may patrol the Internet, searching for victims.

Versatility

The Internet gives you access to jobs in other states and in new fields. You can tailor your resume or application with the press of a few buttons and send it off without spending money on copies and postage. You can search job listings in other cities and even other countries in a few minutes online. When submitting an e-resume, pay careful attention to any instructions the employer provides. Some want the resume in a particular format. Many companies use keywords to weed out inappropriate resumes, so repeat keywords from the job listing in your resume.

Mistakes

Because the Internet allows you to fire off your resume or reply to a job ad quickly, you may be more likely to make mistakes. Double-check all your emails before you hit "Send." Look for spelling and grammar mistakes, but also verify that you've correctly spelled the email address of the person with whom you want to connect. Almost everyone who's spent much time online has a horror story about sending an email to the wrong person.

Abundance

The Internet gives you access to hundreds, even thousands of potential jobs. But that very abundance can make it difficult to navigate the many job listings and narrow your choices. Job boards usually don't group jobs by particular careers. Unless you have a particular employer in mind, searching company websites for possible jobs can eat hours of your time and fail to yield a job in your area of interest. Not only are job listings plentiful on the Internet, so are job applicants. The ease of applying for a job online means you'll likely be competing with many others for the position.

References

• VIrginia Tech Career Services: Pros and Cons of the Ways to Look for Jobs
• Juniata College: Utilizing the Internet as a Job Search Tool
• U.S. Department of State: Employment Options for Foreign Service Family Members": Chapter Three — Using the Internet in the Job Search
• Buffalo and Erie County Public Library: Job Hunting Strategies
• "1000 Best Job Hunting Secrets"; Diane Stafford and Moritza Day; 2004