Optimize Your Job Search Online

There's No Such Thing As Too Specific

If you're having trouble finding a job online, it's likely you're not applying to the right jobs. But how can this be? You do a field-related search on sites like Monster and you type in your dream job's title as a keyword on Google; why isn't that yielding results? The answer: the Internet is a big, bad place, and you're going to have to do some digging to exhaust its wealth of job options. Try narrowing the search. If you're looking for a job that combines location with a certain title or skill, enter both into the search field of your favorite search engine or job board. For example: "Idaho programmer" becomes "Idaho programmer XSLT Python telecommute." Simply mixing up your search may yield more leads - and more e-mail addresses for your shiny, polished resume. For more information on a more specific Web search, check out this primer on advanced Internet search techniques.

Go To The Source In Your Online Job Search

You may have decided to go only with online job banks or classifieds, but by ignoring company websites, you may be missing out on a great source of job leads. Often, companies can't afford the high start-up costs associated with posting on a well-known job site, so they may opt to post job opportunities on their own web site. Look for the "jobs", "employment" or "about us" section of a website, and if you can't find any listings, try the site map to see if a listing might be buried. You'll be amazed at what you can find - and even if you don't get the job now, you never know what kind of connections you might make by getting your resume on file with a company you're interested in joining.

Don’t Neglect The Mother Lode – Your E-Mail Inbox

When looking for a new job, it’s important to cover all of your avenues – and the Web has given us all a great skill for essential networking in e-mail. That’s right – a new job might be as close as the spam-laden wasteland of forwards and loose ends you call your e-mail inbox. You’re using e-mail to get a job, but are you using it the right way? Sure, you’ve been contacting employers and sending out your resume, but have you neglected what may be the best resource of all? Your friends and family are available with the click of a button, and to forget about them is to forget about the many opportunities their friends and family can offer you. Try sending an e-mail to close family members and friends (be sure to blind carbon copy recipients so they don’t get the e-mail addresses of everyone in your in-box) letting them know you’re on the prowl. Lay out a few of your major qualifications and mention the industry you’re interested in working in.

Don’t be pushy or aggressive – you’re asking for a favor here – and don’t attach anything to your e-mail, even your resume. Simply ask if they might have any contacts or leads you may have overlooked, and get ready to take advantage of your personal network. Maybe a friend of a friend is leaving a job – and a precious vacancy. Or maybe Uncle Joe in Vermont has some vital nuggets of career advice that can give a necessary boost to your job hunt efforts. You never know what’s out there – so why not ask? The worst that can happen to an e-mail to close friends and family is it gets ignored, and you won’t be any the worse for having tried.

Bottom line: the phrase “think out of the box” isn’t just bland corporate-speak, it’s vital advice for adding variety and vigor to your online job search.

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