Online Job Search Tips & Tricks

Conducting a job search online is a great way to compliment traditional job search practices. In conjunction with combing through the wants ads and networking, job searching is as easy as going to your favorite job board, typing your desired position and up come the listings.

Below are job search tips to make this process even quicker:

• Don't limit your job search by posting your resume on only big boards. These boards can be expensive and some employers may not be able to afford posting openings. Expand your online job search to include regional sites such as Lijobs.com and "niche" boards such as Dice.com.
• Have your resume in an e-mail ready format. If you don't have one already, now is the time to create one. The majority of online job ads take e-mail resumes. When you find a position that matches your career goals, all you'll need to do is paste your resume into an e-mail, create a cover letter and hit send!
• Get a personal email account that you will use for job seeking purposes only and make sure you check your inbox three times a day. If you want to be taken seriously, use a professional email name. OutofWork@aol.com may get laughs from your friends, but it can also hinder your job search efforts.
• Make it easy for a recruiter or hiring manager to find your contact information. Include an email signature at the end of every email you send. An email signature should include the following information: your name, job title, email address, mailing address, and phone number.
  
  Lets use my signature line as an example.
  
  Linda Matias
  Certified Job and Career Transition Coach
  Certified Employment Interview Professional
  evaluation@careerstrides.com
  34 East Main Street, Suite 276
  Hauppauge, NY 11788
  (631) 387-1894
  
  
• Identify industry keywords and be sure you include them within the first few lines of your e-resume. Emails are read quickly and the decision maker may only scan your e-resume and you want to have the most compelling information at the top. Another reason is that your resume may be scanned into an automated tracking system and your ranking will be determined by how effectively you have used keywords.
• Update your resume on job boards weekly. I realize that this task can be time consuming, but it is necessary. Recruiters and hiring managers search for resumes that have been posted within the last 24 hours and they rarely review resumes that are over a week old.

Recognized as a career expert, Linda Matias brings a wealth of experience to the career services field. She has been sought out for her knowledge of the employment market, outplacement, job search strategies, interview preparation, and resume writing, quoted a number of times in The Wall Street Journal, New York Newsday, Newsweek, and HR-esource.com. She is President of CareerStrides and the National Resume Writers’ Association. Visit her website at www.careerstrides.com or email her at linda@careerstrides.com.