Sunday, July 17, 2011

Using the Internet for Job Search Listings


If you conduct a Google or Yahoo! search on Online Job Search, you will find numerous sources for assistance with finding job openings. The sheer quantity of information would seem to be beneficial; however, it can also have the reverse effect in that because there are so many options, we don't know where to start and thus suffer from "analysis paralysis." How does one overcome this? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Specify your region in the search engine. Instead of "Looking for a Job," type "Looking for a Job in Houston, Texas" or "Online Job Search North Dakota." You will find listings that may or may not be available on the major boards like Monster and Career Builder.

2. SimplyHired.com and Indeed.com come highly recommended. I can personally vouch for SimplyHired, which works as a job search engine in that it scours the Internet for job postings as opposed to other sites in which employers pay to be listed. I sought a position as a Writer as a test about 13 months ago, and SimplyHired emails several listings to me each day, some of which has led to contracts for services. I have heard the same about Indeed.

3. Don't forget the social networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Use these sites as a way to connect with individuals and inquire if they know of any job opportunities. Be careful when referring potential employers to your Facebook and Twitter pages, though; they should only be referred to sites that do not contain a great deal of personal information. Sending them a resume or referring them to your LinkedIn profile (as long as it is professional and not personal) is the better option.

Perhaps these are obvious tips, but sometimes (as alluded to earlier) we get overwhelmed with the large volume of information and overlook the basics. Regional searches, job search engines, and social networking sites have been proven to be beneficial sources for finding listings.

No comments:

Post a Comment