Job Hunt Online

Because applying for jobs online is an impersonal process at best, there's a tendency to hide an inconvenient work history or misrepresent it. After all, we all want to appear more attractive to potential employers. Here's some advice: Don't do it. It's easier than ever for employers to uncover your fabrication, which will immediately disqualify you. Be as truthful as possible. Include relevant references who can verify your work history and education.

There are a number of other considerations when looking and applying for jobs:

• Create a job search log. It's easy to forget what you've looked at and applied to with so many Web sites available. Include the site name, date, and job applied for in your log.
• Establish a separate e-mail account for your job search. An e-mail address like crazy_dog@aol.com looks less professional than one like John.Doe@gmail.com. If you're close to or already finished with university, consider using something other than your .edu address which marks you as being entry level.
  
• Send résumés and text documents in Microsoft Word format. Like it or not, it's still a business standard. There may be exceptions of course, but in general, stick to Word.


• Consider using the "advanced search" features of any job site. By taking advantage of all of the database options, you put yourself one step closer to finding what you want.


• Search by keyword when you can. While some sites may require you to search titles only, others allow you to search based upon a number of keywords.


• Set up job search "agents." Many sites allow you to set up alerts that e-mail you when a new job listing that fits your criteria is posted. Not only do job sites like Monster.com let you do this, but some employer Web sites offer the same service.


• Be open to stepping outside of the box. Did you know, for example, that some Twitter users do nothing but post job listings?

While finding work on the Internet may seem daunting, it doesn't have to be. Creating a search plan that at first focuses on broad job categories but later allows you to narrow your search is a useful strategy to keep you from getting overwhelmed. Keeping a search log and using job sites to their fullest allows you to productively search, find, and apply for jobs online.

Happy searching!

Last update: Mar 22, 2010