Tips on Using the Internet to Find a Job
Gone are the days when the only way to search for a job was to pore over the Sunday classifieds, circle job ads, assemble your cover letters and resume and, finally, trek to the post office. Technology makes searching for a job cost-effective and more efficient. It also enables job seekers opportunities they wouldn't have had before widespread use of the Internet. However, using the Internet to look for employment includes a lot more than simply completing online applications and waiting for an email response. Social networking sites, online job forums and business newsfeeds are among the many ways to expand your search.
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Internet Job Boards
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Clearinghouse sites like Careerbuilder, Simply Hired, Indeed and Monster post thousands of jobs every day, allowing job seekers to search for vacancies according to job type, industry, location and other factors. When using these job sites, it's important to avoid being automatically directed to ads for franchise opportunities, work at home scams and employment opportunities that require credit card information or payment. If you're looking for a legitimate opportunity, filter your search parameters to direct hire opportunities or recruiting agencies with which you're already familiar.
Professional Association Job Boards
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Professional associations and networking organizations maintain job boards for vacancies in their respective industries. Even if you're not a member of a professional association, don't let that prevent you from applying for jobs listed on that association's job board. An example is the Society for Human Resource Management job board, which contains listings for human resources positions and related jobs such as compensation analysts, affirmative action directors and recruitment professionals. Similarly, job boards maintained by the American Bar Association or local bar associations contain listings for attorneys, paralegals, legal secretaries and other positions in the legal services field.
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Social Networking Sites
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LinkedIn is a popular social networking site for professionals in a variety of industries. Users create a profile, list work experience and make connections with former coworkers and new colleagues. Facebook and Twitter also provide networking opportunities for job seekers, although conducting a job search using Facebook and Twitter requires a little more effort than a site like LinkedIn. Look for social networking sites that enable you to search for specific jobs or sites that stream job listings. Social networking sites can be useful in getting regular updates about hiring events and recruiting fairs, however.
Business Newsfeeds
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If you've set your sights on particular businesses, create list of companies from which you receive up-to-the-minute news feeds. News feeds deliver company information to your email address or social networking account as soon as the news is posted. Press releases and reports about business products, services, stock prices and markets can be especially helpful if you're the type of job seeker who uses initiative and creativity to look for opportunities. For example, if you learn the company you've always wanted to work for is opening a new location, you can be one of the first to send a cover letter and resume to the human resources manager. An added benefit is that your initiative and resourcefulness will impress hiring managers.
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References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Using the Internet to Find a Job
- USA Today: Use the Internet for Your Job Search
- Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal Studies & Economic Public Policy Studies: Internet Use and Job Search
- The Riley Guide: Use the Internet to Find Job Leads
- Money Morning: How To Use the Internet to Find a New Job
- Black Collegian Online: How to Use the Internet in Your Job Search: Using the Net to Help You Hunt
