Ten Tips for a Successful Online Job Search

 Choose Job Sites Carefully

• Jobs are listed on thousands of different websites, so be selective about which ones you use.  

Refine Your Job Search

• Search using keywords and add more terms to narrow your search. Don’t forget to specify your location 

Set up Email Job Alerts

• Save your job searches to receive email job alerts including new jobs matching your criteria.Many sites also let you save any job search as an RSS feed

 Keep it Focused!

• Only apply to jobs you are qualified for. Companies notice candidates with the skills and experience they’re looking for. If you don’t have these, your resume will be ignored.

Watch Out for Scam Job Listings

• Be careful if you see job listings promising quick and easy income, or requiring a fee or your social security number in order to apply - they’re likely to be scams.

Write a Customized Cover Letter

• A well-written cover letter that is customized to the company or individual recipient shows you are serious. Try to show how your qualifications and experience relate to the company’s needs.

Post Your Resume

• Posting your resume to job boards helps companies find you online. Bear in mind that anyone may be able to see it, including your current employer. Most job sites give you the option of posting anonymously, although companies may then be less likely to contact you.

Clean Up Your Act

• Check your resume and cover letters for typos and grammatical errors. Use consistent font sizes and formatting in your resume. Potential employers may look at any online profile of yours, so keep them up-to-date and free of content that would embarrass you.

Do Your Research

• Spend time on the company’s website and learn as much as you can about the firm’s products and services. Read up on company news and trends in the industry – use sites like Wikipedia and ZoomInfo. Find out who is interviewing and Google their names to learn about them. If you know anyone who works at a company you are applying to, try to speak with them first for advice.

Know Your Salary

• Once companies are ready to make you an offer, they’re likely to discuss your salary needs. If you’re armed with objective salary information, you’ll be in a better position to negotiate. Try Indeed’s

resources: www.indeed.com