What is it?
The invention of the internet has made it much easier to not only promote jobs or post job offerings online, but also to find a job online. Almost every business, company, or agency that has a website has some form of job opportunity page, where they give instructions on how to apply for a job, and often list available positions within the company. There are also many different job search and employment websites that specialize in posting job openings from various companies and businesses. The internet is a great place to start if you are looking for your next job.
How to
Before you begin searching for jobs online, make sure you have a comprehensive resume written. This should include a list of your skills and abilities, your employment and volunteer history, and your education. Having a resume that you can then tailor for specific positions will save you a ton of time in the applying process. You may also want to Google yourself and remove any embarrassing information that may turn off potential employers. Establishing an online presence, using sites such as LinkedIn, is a great idea to show potential employers your various skills and experience. After you have done all this, you can either go to a specific business or company’s website and apply through them, or use a job hunting website like Monster or Craigslist. You can often search by industry, and select whether you are looking for part-time work, full-time work, seasonal work, etc. If you aren’t having any luck, you can try various government resources, or use a job-hunting service provided by your current or former college or university.
Why do it?
The internet is a vast resource with hundreds of new job postings per hour. Using an employer’s website is a great way to find a job at a certain company. If you know you are interested in working for Wells Fargo, Target, or Greenpeace, you can visit the website and find the job postings section, and see what positions are available and where. Job boards are another popular search method. These are great if you know you want to work in specific field but are not sure what business or company you want to work for. You can search for jobs in accounting or education, and all the posted positions will come up.
Risks
Searching for a job online carries with it the risks of doing anything online. While job websites are great, they are also full of fake postings and scammers.
Do not under any circumstances give out any personal information, such as your bank account details or social security number, without first meeting for an interview. It can also be overwhelming, at times, especially if you aren’t sure what you are looking for. Try to use specific websites before using a job website. You will also have to tweak your resume and cover letter for every job you apply for, which can be time consuming and tedious. Still, it is better to make sure your application is tailored to that specific job, rather than sending out the same generic application to multiple job postings.
