Many people today struggle with finding jobs. While driving around an area or mailing out resumes seems to be outdated, job hunting websites can be just as frustrating, especially since many sites are full of spam. These are a few ways on how to get the best out of job hunting websites.
One of the best rules of thumb is to use only 10% of your job search time on these sites. In order to make your time count, choose job sites that are run by Google or have similar formats. Indeed.com and SimplyHired.com have millions of jobs and are some of the least “spammy” job search engines. It’s not enough to just go to these sites though and do a general search. Use the filters that will help you to use your time wisely. You can use a keyword or job title and then narrow your search by filtering for company name, location, salary range, and many other filters that are often important. The advanced search options can be your best friend and focusing on two or three sites and really digging in can help your job search to be more efficient.
Many of these sites will also notify you when new job postings appear in your particular area. Sign up for email alerts that will deliver new job postings each day. This is a great way to get a quick dose of information about these positions and not waste a lot of time doing a new search every day or even every few days. Be warned that even with these tips, you may still get a lot of job postings that aren’t in your field.
If you’re really trying to be efficient with your time, it can be a good idea to avoid the larger sites. Niche sites specific to your field can be your best friend. For someone who is looking for a job in the technology area, Dice.com is a great site that has technology-specific jobs. For someone interested in non-profit work, Idealist.org has only jobs specific to that area. Government jobs can be reached through the U.S. government site. Also, many fields have online databases where jobs are frequently posted.
A surprisingly great resource for job searching online is Craigslist. This is one of the few sites that aggregators don’t tap. This is a good source if looking for a job in a particular area. If you are a top executive or are looking for a highly experienced job, this is not a great source. However, for entry-level positions and internships, this is a great site. Many hospitals and healthcare centers also choose to post on Craigslist, so any medical professionals can easily search through the postings on this site.
These are some basic tips on how to get the best out of job hunting websites. If you use these tips effectively and are able to focus on a few key websites, your job search will be streamlined and a much better use of your time.
Article Inspired by: Apply Direct