In the not-too-distant past, the job search was fairly simple. The candidate printed out a copy of the resume, wrote a brief introductory cover letter highlighting skills and accomplishments, and sent the application package to the employer. Today is a completely different story. The advent of computers and databases allows for more people to apply to each position. How does one get a leg up on the competition? Here are some important tips.
Register With Job Search Engines
Everyone knows about the big career boards including Yahoo! Jobs, CareerBuilder, and Monster. While every candidate should post a resume on at least one of these sites, an even more effective way to find employment is through metasearch sites that provide results from newspapers, company websites, and other sources. These include SimplyHired, Indeed, and Jobster. Also look for niche employment websites such as Dice (technology) and Greenjobs.com (renewable energy).
WorkDigital, Ltd. features a career website powered by Twitter called TwitterJobSearch. The site searches all open positions listed on Twitter. Simply type in the desired position and click Search to display listings. Narrow search by title, country, salary, and more. Apply for new opportunities on an iPhone with the website’s free app.
Use Online Social Networking
These days, virtually everyone has a Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter page to keep in contact with friends, family, and colleagues. However, the importance of social networking in finding a new opportunity should not be overlooked. Candidates should strongly consider creating a professional profile on Twitter highlighting skills, objectives, and accomplishments in the bio section. The picture should be a professional headshot, and the person should tweet daily about the search for a new position.
Facebook can be used as well. The candidate should either create a new (public) profile or otherwise clean up the original account and closely monitor wall comments. Like Twitter, the bio should reflect professional skills and accomplishments, and the picture should be a professional headshot. Be sure to download job search applications (e.g., Indeed). For both Twitter and Facebook, sign on career-related friends that send text alerts and post new opportunities.
Last but not least, register with the professional networking website Linkedin. This site has become so popular that recent reports have indicated more companies are using it to screen candidates. Using Linkedin the candidate can post a resume, network with other professionals, perform a career search, get recommended, and obtain leads. The person can also perform a search to find long-lost coworkers that may provide even more positive recommendations.
Create an Online Multimedia Resume
Some experts predict the eventual death of paper resumes and cover letters in favor of electronic media. One website that may prove the naysayers right is VisualCV which allows candidates to create an amazing online multimedia profile with portfolios, audio, video, pictures, and much more. The new e-resume can be linked to social networking profiles including Linkedin and Twitter.
Track the Job Search
Keep a log of all employment listings to which a resume was sent for future follow-up. Most often, online search boards provide this feature; but then again, most people search across a variety of career websites. If keeping records via Word or Excel becomes too cumbersome, try using JibberJobber to organize, manage, and track submitted applications.
Finding a new career in today’s labor market is challenging, but not impossible. Making use of career search engines, social networking, creating an online multimedia resume, and tracking the search for future follow-up is essential for a successful job search.
Daniel Gansle - Daniel J. Gansle is the author of 2012: Day of Reckoning, graduate of Anthropological Studies and expert in ancient Mayan culture.
