Confused by the number of Job Search Sites out there? Tired of the promise of a new job being just a click away? It can seem like a jungle out there, just to find a reputable job site that can truly help you. Follow these simple guidelines to get the most bang for your job hunting safari.
Be Prepared
Is your Resume ready to upload? Yes, it is to your advantage to post your Resume to a job site that you feel will work for you. If you happen to find a job posted that you feel is just right for you, you'll need that Resume anyway. Don't just post your Resume - read it over to ensure it is up to date, free of errors, and easy to read/properly formatted. This will also help you in deciding what your best skills are, and what you actually want to do. Take the time now to really think about what kind of job you are looking for - what area will you work in (both geographically and department-wise); what kind of work do you want to do; what kind of hours are you hoping to get - will you work rotating shifts or not.
Browse Through The Job Site
Now that you have a better idea of what kind of work you want to get and where, start looking at each job site as a potential. Look at it through the eyes of an employer too - would you go to this site to hire someone for your particular type of work? If not, chances are the employers you are trying to reach won't be there either. Try clicking on the "employers" links - is the information clear and accessible?
What about the "employee" or job hunter side? Is it easy for you to find jobs in your area - again, both geographically and industry-wise? Is the information clear? Is it easy to post your Resume? Can you hide certain information until a potential contact is made?
Choosing The Best And Using The Best
Ensure the sites you like can handle job searches with multiple criteria. Always think in terms of the employer finding you as well. It's not that the employer is always searching the database for resumes, but that the employer thinks enough of the site to post the job - and that may be just the job you are looking for!
Does the site offer advice to job seekers and perhaps something to help the employers? That's a good benefit - the site is willing to invest time and effort - it's not just a "cash grab" for listings. If there is a "job alert" (you are emailed when a potential job that fits your search criteria comes onto the site), USE IT - and don't forget to still check directly at the site at least twice a week - there may be something that catches your eye that the automatic search missed.
Don't Forget To Look Locally
Your local newspaper has an electronic version, often with extra incentives for posting jobs. Check these postings regularly. Check out via the publisher for any other magazines or newspapers that may be under one umbrella group - many have more job postings than just the one paper.
Job Sites
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