ONLINE JOB SEARCH GUIDE
Job Searching Online is the New Way to Look For Employment
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Getting Started
It goes without saying that you should have an idea of the type of job you are looking for before you even begin. It will probably be one of the first things you are asked, and if you don't have a good answer, people will not be able to help you much. Make this your first step. If you need help, there are plenty of resources online to help you decide. Get support for your job search. Let friends, family, colleagues, school employment counselors--anyone you can think of--know that you are looking for a job. Collect information on the jobs that interest you, and be sure your resume is in order. If you don't already have your own email address, get one. There are plenty of places to get free email accounts, including Yahoo, Hotmail, and Mail.com.
Online Help For Your Job Search
We've pulled together some online sources to guide you in your quest for a new job. There are informational articles on some of these sites, as well as job openings, qualifications, and more.
- Job-hunt.org is an online job search guide, helping you find work, including articles to guide you as you search.
- Monster.com advertises itself as the biggest and most comprehensive internet job search engine on the web. They offer an extensive job/career search database.
- Yahoo HotJobs: Search for jobs, post your resume, compare salaries and find career advice and research. Thousands of new jobs listed daily.
- Jobster.com is another good site, they list thousands of opening in all areas.
I'm Ready to Start My Search, Now What?
It's been estimated that there are more than 80,000 job search sites online. You can't possibly use them all. Select a few that seem to have jobs you are interested in and qualified for. Read the article on job-hunt.com titled "Finding the Job Opportunities" for more ideas on searching. Read the one about choosing a job site as well. There are some phony sites out there, you only want to use the good ones. If you or your friends have not heard of the site, be wary. Follow up on the places you have left your online resume. Send your resume and cover letter to the company via the old-fashioned snail mail too, as a back up. With so much spam out there, many companies have set up filters to take care of the spam, but sometimes non-spam emails end up there too. After a reasonable length of time, check back with a phone call to be sure your resume was received, and to let them know you are still interested if the job is still open. Keep track of the places you've left your resume, and include contact information if you have heard back from one of the companies you have applied to, or have talked to someone in the firm. Remember to drop a thank-you note to anyone who has considered your application. That one small act may be what gets you the job.
Parting Thoughts
One thing that applies whether you are searching online or in person, is to learn as much as you can about the company you've applied to. Even if you have applied in person, they will more than likely have a web site you can look at for more information. Doing this extra research demonstrates to the potential employer that you are taking your job search seriously, and that you will probably make a good employee. When it comes to email, DO NOT USE YOUR PRESENT COMPANY'S EMAIL SYSTEM. It's tacky, and could cost you your present job if you are found out. Use a "normal" sounding email address. Now is not the time to use something like "smartypants@--" If you don't have a normal-sounding email address, get one. Use a good subject line too. Nothing that will attract spam filters, or make the reader think you're sending a joke. It's recommended that you use a signature line following your closing. This should give your name, perhaps your current job title, and email address.
Remember these tips and the ones you've found online, and you should have an advantage over many who do not know how to do an effective job search. Good luck!