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JOB SEARCHINGThere are an overwhelming number of job listings available on the internet. In order to avoid a great deal of frustration and wasted time, it is important to identify those sites that match your particular job interests, bookmark them, and review them on a regular basis.
Online searches by geographical location, type of industry or job titles permit you to find direct links to employer home pages on which valuable employment information is often provided. These sites can teach you a great deal about a particular employer’s needs and organizational culture.
Information gained directly from employer web sites is one of the best means of researching a company prior to a job interview. Such information is likely to be more up-to-date than printed resources, and extremely helpful in formulating good questions to pose in interviews which will make a positive impression on the interviewer.
Through the internet you can tap into newsgroups and listservs relevant to your job search. Listservs are comparable to worldwide e-mail discussion groups, usually composed of individuals who share a very specific area of interest and each with its own topic. Many of these groups are affiliated with professional associations and gladly exchange career and job information.
When internet job searching, please remember;
The following are tips to help you fine-tune your online job search skills.
While most job applicants are well aware of the need for well prepared resumes and cover letters, many do not realize the need to spend an equal amount of time mastering job search skills necessary to be effective in today’s market.
Establish a target date for getting a job and decide how much time you can devote to your search. Get organized early by setting aside a certain amount of time each week to work on your search. Use a calendar and weekly planner and work backward from your target date.
The greater number of contacts and interviews a job seeker has, the greater the number of job offers. Therefore, it makes sense to use multiple strategies.
The most commonly used job search technique is to respond to advertised vacancies, both in print and electronically.
Sources of vacancies include:
- Newsletters from trade or professional association.
- Newspaper classified ads (most major cities are on-line).
- Employment services and agencies run by government and for-profit businesses.
- Personnel department postings and phone lines.
- Internet job postings.
Unfortunately, the most popular method for locating positions, responding to advertised vacancies, is not the most effective. Nearly 80% of the openings available at any one time are never advertised. Job-seekers should respond to employment ads, but the main thrust of your efforts should be toward establishing networks and identifying the hidden job market.
To increase the odds of your success in responding to advertised vacancies, by telephone or letter, keep these tips in mind:
- Do not waste time responding to long shots.
- Use your cover letter to answer every requirement in the advertisement-individuals.
- Personalize your response as much as possible. Direct your materials to specific individuals.
- Try to contact or write to the manager who will make the final hiring decision.
Once you have targeted a career or specific position, you should acquaint yourself with professionals in that field or organization. These professionals offer you an insider’s view and can constitute your contact network, which can open doors that might otherwise remain closed. Your network can also consist of family members, friends, classmates, professors, and electronic discussion groups. (Link to networking section.)
- Send a letter of application and your resume to the Human Resources Department or specific managers. This direct contact method is most successful for candidates in high-demand fields (e.g., engineering and computer science).
- Contact managers in organizations by phone or letter to request an appointment to discuss the information you have obtained by reading annual reports, trade literature, etc. (Link to using the telephones.)
- During your appointments with department managers, emphasize your knowledge and interest in their organizations.
- Always follow up all interviews with thank-you letters and phone calls.
- It is critical to stay in touch with these managers at least on a bi-monthly basis.
No matter what job search strategies you choose, follow-up and record keeping are important for success. Maintain a careful record of all interviews, thank-you notes sent, referrals made and follow-up actions. Job seekers who fail to maintain this information often lose valuable contacts as well as credibility with prospective employers.
Job searching is hard work and there are times when you will get discouraged. But if you keep up with it, you can avoid feeling anxious and will actually have more energy. If your search is not producing the results that you would like, avoid blaming yourself and try a new strategy. Do not be reluctant to submit your credentials on more than one occasion to an organization for which you would like to work. This attitude demonstrates your enthusiasm and interest.