Posts Tagged ‘job web sites’

« Older Entries

Find a Specific Employment Listing

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Finding an employment listing is as simple as calling up the company, asking for the human resources department and asking someone where the company posts its employment listing.

They will happily tell you where to find their job web sites because companies these days hate hard copies of resumes and cover letters. Wouldn’t you if you have to sift through hundreds or thousands of applicants and then store them for future use?

Or, if the company doesn’t store them, they throw them away in the garbage, which makes for a giant waste of paper.

But instead of searching for one specific listing, it is probably best to simply find a great job search engine and let it do the searching for you. Otherwise, it could take a very long time to get nowhere in your job hunt.

In fact, most companies don’t even post their job opportunities on their own site anymore, because this may look tacky to its customers. Instead, they choose a site or multiple sites to advertise their employment needs on.

When choosing a job site that works best for you, don’t automatically assume that you prefer the sites that are most well-known or advertised on television. The truth is that much, if not all, of the job listings on the big, popular sites will also be listed on the smaller, more concentrated sites.

The smaller sites monitor the bigger sites and make sure that they have everything that the big sites have.

The only difference is that the smaller sites will try to make the information more concentrated and specific, so you get exactly what you searched for instead of listings for a hundred jobs that might fit a vague job description. Smaller sites are also great for local job searches and often include local job listings that the bigger sites won’t have.

Smaller sites also often have a niche, that is good for you and that companies in that industry prefer to post their listings on in order to get a better qualified and concentrated response of applicants.

For example, if someone is looking for a job in journalism, the local newspaper is more likely to post a job on a journalism job site than it is on a big all-inclusive job site.

The sample that they receive back will be smaller, but it will have a better concentration of the quality candidates the newspaper is specifically looking for.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in job search sites | No Comments »

Job Web Sites Are Preferred Hard Copies

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Job web sites are the best and only way to apply for jobs these days.

Unless you have the privilege of meeting the hiring manager or owner of the company in person for any reason, in which case you should print out your resume and cover letter ahead of time (and I recommend using a slightly heavier and possibly lightly tinted paper instead of regular computer paper) and present it in a manila envelope. Other than this special and rare instance, you should be applying for jobs on job web sites for the best and most effective results.

Web sites offer a great way to quickly find jobs that you are interested in applying for. They are fast and easy, often providing step by step directions on how to apply. Be sure to read the job description carefully, because in some cases the person who made the listing says that he/she prefers emails over suing the web site.

In such case, they will provide the contact information and you should reply to the posting via email. But be sure to list which web site you found the job posting on, because the employers are always curious in which web site is working best for them and yielding back the best job candidate results.

Remember to always include a short cover letter with your resume, whether you apply on a site or via email. In some cases, a job site is tricky because it makes it so easy to zoom through the job listings and send out resumes in such a short amount of time and call it a day.

But if you really want the full consideration of the hiring manager and if you want an easy way to stick out from the rest of the resumes include a short, to-the-point cover letter. Start off with the hiring manager’s name, if it is given, and then list in the opening paragraph the position you are applying for with the company’s name and the job web sites on which you found the listing.

You are basically writing in the letter what skills and qualities you possess that would be an asset to the company that can’t be found on your resume or that is in the bottom half of your resume and has a chance of being overlooked.

But remember to keep it as brief as possible, maybe two to three short paragraphs, because the hiring manager does not and will not read through a long essay of your life’s story.

That simply shows that you do not know how to select and highlight the important facts and that you don’t appreciate the employer’s time.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in job search sites | No Comments »

Don’t Listen to Parents; Use a Job Search Site

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

While you are hunting for a job, you will get different opinions and advice about a job search site. Some may claim that they love one job search site and hate the other job search engines.

While it is always a good idea to listen to the advice around you and the opinions of others, it is always very important to pick the site that works best with you and that you are most comfortable with. After all, all the resumes go to the same employer and the employer does not care which website you applied from.

Your parents may tell you that the best way to apply for a job is to go into a company and ask for an application. With all due respect to parents, this is wrong. You must remember that your parents grew up in a very different generations and, baby boomers especially, have trouble excepting the all-encompassing ways of the Internet.

They may think that showing up to a company in person implies motivation, dedication and a desire for a job, but in fact it sends the completely opposite message.

It says that you are willing to waste people time instead of figuring out on your own that most companies nowadays only accept electronic applications. It sends the message that you are outdated and behind the times.

It might also suggest that you don’t know how to use the computer or the Internet. At the very least, you are wasting your own time as well as theirs, since they will simply refer you to the website where they post their career opportunities.

Instead, you want to appear to companies sharp, slick and on the ball. After proof reading your resume a hundred times and then letting three other people proof read your resume, save it as a PDF. This shows that you are professional and savvy when it comes to the Internet and computers.

Also be sure to include a short cover letter that gets right to the point of what you can offer the company. After these steps are taken, believe it or not, the best thing you can do for yourself is to spend your days sitting alone at the computer like a total nerd.

Your parents might think that you are a lazy bum, but they simply don’t and can’t understand how applying for jobs are done in today’s day and age.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in job search sites | No Comments »

Always Use Employment Websites

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Employment websites are the preferred way to apply for jobs these days. In these times of the fast paced Internet, it is outdated and not appreciated to go into a company, ask if they are hiring and then ask for an application.

Some think the fact that you took time out to go to the company and the personal touch of a face-to-face conversation will give you an advantage in the candidate picking process. The truth is that you are wasting your time and theirs.

First off, the only person you’ll probably talk to is the secretary or front desk person. When you ask them the golden question, “Are you hiring?” they will simply tell you to either visit their job search site for a list of career opportunities or to visit the employment websites that they chose to post to their job opportunities on.

Even in the rare case that they let you speak with the person who does the hiring, they will do the same thing.

And, although it’s always a good thing when the hiring manager sees your face and knows your name, chances are they will not remember your name when sifting through the hundreds of resumes received. And they obviously will not get a chance to see your face.

Furthermore, since all resumes are electronic now, employee seekers don’t even have to bother with looking at names. They can enter key words and skills that they want to see in resume into a software program that searches through all those resumes for them to deliver the ones that are most pertinent to the employer’s requests.

So you can see why a face-to-face or over-the-phone meet and greet is most advantageous only after they have already asked you in for an interview. Until then, it doesn’t serve much purpose.

If you insist on visiting the companies in person, you will soon find that it is a real time waster that does go very unappreciated. It may even have the opposite effect, with employers thinking that you don’t know how to use the Internet or employment websites or that you are stuck in old-fashioned ways, which is definitely not a good quality for today’s ever evolving technologies and methods.

If anything, you want to look quick, sleek and ahead of the times. Your parents may tell you to go in anyways and introduce yourself, but remember that they grew up in a completely different era, without the amazing advantage of the Internet, and, as much as you hate to disagree with them, they are wrong.

They may think you’re an unmotivated bum, but the truth is that the best thing that you can do for yourself right now is spend your days at your computer.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in job search sites | No Comments »

Be Organized With Job Search Websites

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

Job search websites differ on many features, so it is important to pick the job search engines that you work most effectively and efficiently with.

You don’t want to be stuck at your computer trying to find the search field or suggested jobs to apply to or whatever while you are wasting precious time to apply for jobs.

Finding a job is a long and tedious process and job search websites can make it much easier or much harder for you. It is ok to use multiple job websites and I actually encourage it.

Different sites may offer to jobs or different kinds of jobs. I recommend writing down two to four job sites that you like using and rotate among them each day of the week.

That being said, it is important to record which jobs you are applying to and which site you applied from. This will help you to avoid applying for the same job more than once, thereby wasting precious time and looking unorganized to the employer, and it will also allow you to go back to the site to look up the exact listing for a job that you may have been invited to interview for.

As you can see, being overly organized and persistent with you job search is imperative for a successful search. Find a quiet spot in your house to apply for jobs and concentrate.

You should be armed with a pad of paper and a pen for note taking. Again, record the job you are applying for, the name of the company, the site from which you applied, the date on which you applied and any contact information that the listing offered.

Being organized in this manner will give you a definite advantage over those who aimlessly browse through sites, applying for jobs here or there and not putting the effort into the application process that is absolutely required to achieve success.

Yes, jotting down every move you make on the Internet when it comes to job hunting can be boring and tedious. But it works, bottom line. Don’t spin your wheels by applying for jobs in a half heartedly manner.

There is no point because the employer will not waste his/her reading an application that the applicant did not even care enough to construct properly.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in job search sites | No Comments »

Benefits of a Local Job Search

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

A local job search via job search websites is probably the best way to start your job search, since employers often prefer employees who live close by, as opposed to a long commute or someone who has to move from out of state.

First, the company doesn’t want to pay for relocation costs and, secondly, they often are looking for someone to start immediately, instead of waiting for them to sell their home and move.

Think of a local job search as your home court advantage. Let the employer know in your cover letter, or over the phone when it is time to set up an interview, that you know the area well and you live close by.

Another advantage is that, depending on how local your search is, you may very well know people who know people who work in the company you are applying for. Contacts are always good and they can mean the difference of one candidate getting the job over another.

If you do know someone who is working at the company for which you are applying, send them an email saying that you are applying for a job in their company, don’t forget to mention what the job position is, and ask them if they have any advice for you.

If you know the person well enough, you can also ask if they could give you some details about the hiring manager.

I wouldn’t recommend asking someone right off the bat if they could put in a good word for you. First of all, it is presumptuous to think that they would want to put their reputation on the line for you and, secondly, the email may feel pressuring to the recipient.

If you are comfortable with the person enough, you may want to go ahead and ask them to drop a good word for you.

But it is more than likely that the recipient of your email will offer to drop a good word for you anyway, without your provoking, or at least let their manager know that a friend or former colleague of theirs is applying for a job.

The manager may even use that person for a reference to the type of employee that you are, so make sure you are on good terms with the person you emailed.

So, that is my advice for this blog and I wish you all good luck with you local job search.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in job search sites | No Comments »

Be Patient With Job Search Sites

Monday, October 12th, 2009

There are plenty of job search sites out there in cyber land and it is important to choose the one or ones that work for you. The only way you’re going to know which job search sites you like the best is by getting started with your local job search. So here are some tips to help you with your hunt.

It may take weeks to months for a response from an employer and it may take months to a year to find the right job for you. In the meantime, it is a good idea to get a short internship or part time job until that perfect offer comes along.

Or you may decide to take the first offer that comes to you, which is also a noble move since you never know when the ideal job will happen. You may want to take a job to get your feet wet and, who knows, it may turn out that the job is perfect for you.

Also, although companies don’t appreciate it, you can always quit your job when a better offer comes along. Never tell this to anyone.

Instead, simply say it wasn’t working out at your previous job or you didn’t agree with where the company was going or it wasn’t what you thought it would be while you were going into your job. On the same token, sometimes we take jobs and it turns out that we truly are not happy with what it turned out to be.

It is perfectly acceptable to go back to the job hunting board, so to speak, and try again. But never leave a job until you have another job lined up. Or else you may be stuck with no paycheck for a while.

When you’re using a job search site, you can search for many different kinds of jobs in different locations. It is a good idea to record what keywords you are searching for in those search fields so you can be consistent and search for the same words the next day, since different jobs are posted daily.

Some job search engines actually save your searches for you, but I still recommend writing them down for your own records. Remember to think out of the box when it comes to deciding which jobs to search for.

More often than not, a particular degree or training that one has received comes with skill sets that are valuable in a wide variety of business areas.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in job search sites | No Comments »

Monitor What You Post

Sunday, September 27th, 2009

Job seekers are in such a rush to find a job these days that they aren’t always careful about the information they are posting. With all job web sites, certain people have access to view applicants’ information. Each one is different, so you must do your research before posting.

One very simple step that should be taken before using a job web site is to check to see if they have a privacy policy. If they don’t, that might be reason enough not to waste your time. If they do have some kind of privacy statement, read it very closely. Some might say employers can view certain information you post, and that shouldn’t be too big of a problem. Problems arise when these web sites sell your personal information to companies so that they can send you promotional email.

Some people don’t think about this, but many web sites exist solely to collect contact information so that they can sell it to other companies who will then bombard you with mail.

This privacy statement should also include a list of who can access your resume. If you’d like, try out browsing the “employer” side of the job web site, and see what you can and cannot view. If you can view email addresses on peoples’ resumes, that may lead to more-than-usual junk email or even worse, identity theft or other kinds of fraud.

Keep in mind, most of the reputable job sites out there give you the option to limit what employers can and cannot access from your resume. You can protect your name, home address, email address, phone number and any other information you’d rather keep private. Choose whichever option works best for you, but remember if you are currently working, keeping certain information private can help protect your existing employment.

Lastly, you will want to make sure you can delete your information once it’s posted. If you successfully find a job, you may not want your resume posted anymore. A good job site will allow you to delete any information you’d like to, or it will give you the option to appear as “inactive.”

Beware of any sites that seem suspicious. As previously stated, some sites out there only exist to collect information. You don’t want to be the recipient of a hundred more spam messages a day, and you definitely don’t want to get caught up in an identity theft case.

Tags: , ,
Posted in job search sites | No Comments »

Never Too Early to Job Hunt

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

Some young adults don’t think about their career until after graduation, and I must say that is a huge and costly mistake. It is never too early to start thinking about your future, and while you’re still in school, you should take advantage of the resources and tools out there. Familiarize yourself with them, so that when you really need them, you’ll be set to go.

As a student, you may not have much information on your resume, but it wouldn’t hurt to post your resume on a job search site. Some employers are willing to train a student in hopes they can mold you into an ideal employee for their company in the future.

If you’re not that lucky, you can still find a part-time job while you’re in school, and hopefully it will be in your academic focus. Some websites specialize in assisting students find work in their area of study to help give them experience, which will later help them find a full-time career after graduation.

Another option is acquiring an internship, either through your school or even online. Internships aren’t usually paid, but the experience is priceless. And when you do finally post a resume on a job search site once you’re ready for full-time employment, many employers will acknowledge an internship more than typical part-time jobs.

Students today need to take a lesson from the current situation. Anything they can do now to increase their chances of finding work in the future will be helpful. If an employer interviews a recent grad who already has multiple relevant jobs and internships on his resume, that’ll definitely get his attention.

Based on your financial situation, you may or may not need to work while enrolled in school. But it is extremely wise to find work regardless. It’ll help you prepare for the next step, and it’ll make a huge impression on potential employers once you’ve completed your studies.

Also, take full advantage of the resources offered through your school. Most universities have a career center, and unfortunately, I see a lot of their efforts go to waste. They have access to certain tools and sites that other job seekers can’t access.

Tags: , ,
Posted in job search sites | No Comments »

Seeking Side Work?

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Many people have this misconception that employment websites are solely for job seekers looking for a full-time permanent job. And for the most part, yes, this is what they’re commonly used for, but they can be used to find any kind of supplemental income. Right now, people are willing to moonlight and find part-time work to supplement their incomes.

In the economic state we’re in now, people are looking for more and more ways to earn money, aside from their full-time jobs. There are so many opportunities out there to earn extra cash on the side, and people need to start taking advantage of them! Many companies out there are cutting back on full-time employees to cut cost. It’s cheaper to hire part-time employees, so the number of part-time positions is likely rising.

There are, and probably always will be, an abundance of part-time jobs available for people of all ages with different experience levels. If you have a full-time 9-to-5 gig, part-time work is still possible. Many restaurants, hotels, and similar businesses are open during the evening. So that’s always an option.

I have also encountered a large number of freelance opportunities for job seekers on employment websites. These are extremely convenient because for the most part they allow you to work from home. I know people who write copy or do graphic design from home. Aside from the luxury of working from home, another added benefit is that many of these employers are willing to give you only as much work as you can handle. If you only have four free hours a week, they’ll give you four hours of work to do. Most freelance employers negotiate with employees to work out a schedule and time frame that works best for both parties.

Besides freelance and part-time jobs, there are many job postings on employment websites that can’t even be categorized. These might be harder to find because of how obscure the job may be, but I’ve come across some random posts that were seeking some pretty obscure work.

Think about it. You might have a skill that an employer is in need of, no matter how small or simple it may be. If you’re a quick typist, you can try doing data entry on a part-time basis. If you like to write as a hobby, you can most likely find a freelance copywriting job. The part-time possibilities are vast; you just have to find them.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Employment Listings | No Comments »

« Older Entries