How to Conduct an Online Job Search in 2024
The way people apply for jobs has undergone a radical transformation because of the internet, online job boards, and social media.
When looking for a job not too long ago, you would print off your résumé and begin calling or visiting businesses one by one to see if there were any openings.
Nowadays, practically every business will run internet ads when the chance arises.
Additionally, you can create a profile for yourself online on a job search website or a networking site like LinkedIn, allowing you to promote yourself and contact HR Managers and recruiters.
Online job searching has developed into a very simplified and effective procedure that gives job seekers access to a variety of opportunities and the convenience of applying fast from home.
However, while the internet has greatly facilitated the accessibility and availability of jobs, it has also oversaturated the market with information. Opportunities are fiercely competitive and much sought for.
According to a Glassdoor poll, there are about 250 candidates for each job posting, of whom about six are selected for interviews and only one is given a job offer.
10 Pointers for Online Job Search
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Improve your online visibility
Employers must be able to locate you online, but it’s also critical to control the information they learn about you. An employer or recruiter can locate you in a variety of ways, including through your résumé.
A crucial component of your job search toolset, platforms like LinkedIn are also a wonderful place to start when developing your professional voice.
When a position is available, a lot of recruiters use the platform as their primary search tool.
Similar to this, more and more social media sites are being used to identify emerging talent.
You may frequently locate a group of professionals on Facebook, for instance, by searching your sector and location. In addition, numerous businesses advertise on Facebook and offer job openings on their sites.
You want to develop a credible web presence.
How to do it:
Search your name and look through the results.
Think about having both a public and a private profile.
Make your social media accounts private by going through them.
Examine everything shared with great care if you want to keep it visible. This goes for tweets, Facebook posts, Instagram photos, TikTok videos, and even news or blog articles.
Do your research before making any public disclosures.
Engage in social media activity for your company and post-professional, intriguing, and timely information frequently.
You want to be current, but you also want to make sure that none of the publicly accessible web information about you hurts your chances of getting a job.
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Create a profile for your career
You need to understand the industry and tailor your skill set and expertise to match, not just publish your photo and résumé to multiple websites.
By focusing your job search and applications, you increase your chances of getting an interview.
Investigate the business or group of your choice.
possess a differentiating feature (USP)
Use resume buzzwords on both your profile and resume, and write a brief bio. It keeps your program current and marketable.
Establish ties and keep up with folks
Update your LinkedIn page, CV, and other professional profiles regularly.
If your profile seems to be a fantastic match with your target audience, your pitch will be much more powerful.
Tip: Be sure to switch off your LinkedIn or Facebook activity while making changes to your profile if you are currently employed and don’t want your employer or coworkers to know that you are exploring new options.
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Look for Jobs on LinkedIn
The best location to look for a job is on LinkedIn because you can actively interact with employers and recruiters there.
Additionally, using LinkedIn to apply for a job is considerably simpler than using other job boards.
How to use LinkedIn to look for jobs:
- Look for the kind of employment you want.
- Limit the location and other criteria you use.
- Examine the list of open positions.
You only need to make sure you meet the qualifications, upload your résumé, double-check your contact information, and click “submit” if the job posting says to “Apply Now.”
Compared to applying through a job board or a company’s careers page, this is far easier.
The procedure is clearly explained in a Career Sidekick YouTube video.
It is a fantastic engagement tool as well. A potential employer or recruiter might publish an article or blog post to test the market and discover possible applicants.
Another strategy to circumvent the congested job sites is to get in touch with them or send a speculative application. Always keep in mind that getting an interview only requires one effective move.
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Create a Brand
Employers and recruiters are always searching the internet for new talent in a job market that is becoming more and more competitive.
You could wish to develop an online brand so that you stand out. This is possible by:
- writing blogs or articles
- taking part in podcasts
- YouTube creative content sharing
- Using your expertise and talents to assist or advise others
- Become a go-to source for the most recent news, events, and trends in your business.
- Share information and respond to inquiries
A strong USP is being recognized as a trustworthy source of pertinent and current information as well as someone who may be helpful.
Use your name as the URL if you have a website or other online presence since this will help you rank well in google searches and make you more visible to potential employers and recruiters.
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Search advice and job boards
One of the key phases in online job searching is using job boards like Indeed.com, Monster, and Glassdoor.
It may appear that you are actively looking for work if you spend a lot of time browsing job boards. However, this time could be better-used networking, gaining new skills, and creating a personal brand.
By selecting specific keywords, you can speed up your employment search. To find out what positions are available, you may also search by job title.
To make your search more effective, restrict the results using filters like credentials, pay, location, etc.
There are a variety of job boards available, including:
- The best job-hunting websites overall are Indeed and Monster.
- Great employer and business insights from Glassdoor
- LinkedIn is the best platform for direct connections with employers and organizations.
- The best for remote employment and flexible hours is FlexJobs
- Here are several specialty job boards:
- eFinancialCareers – Jobs in banking, accounting, and finance
- Jobs in the healthcare sector include those for technicians, occupational therapists, and lab assistants, according to HealthcareJobsite.
- Jobs for recent college graduates at CollegeGrad
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RSS feeds and job alerts
The user-friendly features on job search websites will greatly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your employment hunt.
Once you are satisfied with your search parameters, you can save them so that they are ready to use the following time you log in.
Additionally, you may sign up to receive job alerts for any new listings that match your requirements. When you are prepared to apply, you will find these alerts in your inbox.
Signing up for RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds is another excellent option. You can receive job ads from numerous job sites using this automated mechanism for information sharing.
Investment Banker | Chartered Accountant | IT Manager | Dentist | Software Architect
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Keep an eye on your applications because it’s a numbers game
For each job posting, businesses receive dozens of applications due to the fierce competition in the employment market. You should apply for numerous jobs at once to increase your chances, making sure that you are qualified, a good fit for the business, and that your CV is targeted to each position.
Set daily or weekly goals for yourself. Consider “looking for a job” as a job and set goals and benchmarks for yourself.
Sometimes it can be beneficial to apply to a company even when there isn’t a job posting. They may be looking to hire ambitious fresh talent because they are expanding quickly or because they intend to publish a relevant job soon.
Even if there isn’t a posted position, be sure to tailor your inquiry, be very professional, and demonstrate why you’d be a wonderful fit.
To avoid forgetting the many phases your application might be in or being unprepared when a hiring manager calls, you should also make sure you have a mechanism to track the positions you have applied for.
When you register with a lot of employment sites, you can do this, and some apps can also assist you. A straightforward spreadsheet will do.
Here is an illustration of one such Google Spreadsheet spreadsheet from themuse.com.
- Ignore the Technology for Scanning Resumes
The majority of job marketplaces employ an applicant tracking system (ATS).
By ensuring that only the most pertinent and qualified candidates make it past the automated system and into the hands of a hiring manager or recruiter, this approach aids in organizing job applications.
Making a resume that will get through the ATS is crucial
This comprises:
Employing resume buzzwords that show you are qualified for the positions you are applying for and that you possess the essential abilities.
Unless your skills and skill set are a match for the roles, avoid applying to numerous positions at the same organization.
Think about the position you are applying for; it would be suspicious if you applied for both an entry-level role and a management-level position.
Make sure your resume includes keywords like abilities, prior experience, qualifications, certifications, transferrable traits, and more for the ATS to pick it up. For instance, if a technical position calls for knowledge of a programming language, your resume must state unequivocally that you are an expert in this language.
If you’re having problems, online resources like SkillSyncer, Jobscan, and Resume Worded’s Targeted Resume can assist you in identifying the keywords in a job description.
Avoid trying to fool the ATS; there are several ways to achieve this, but doing so won’t benefit you in the long run. Avoid simply repeating keywords to get past the ATS; instead, make sure you have the necessary accomplishments and experience, and that you can demonstrate how you employed them and what the outcomes were.
Visit our article on applicant tracking systems to learn more about how they function and why organizations use them.
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Online and Offline Networking
When it comes to a successful job hunt, networking is essential. Employers frequently choose to hire people they already know over strangers when hiring.
People immediately assume that attending sizable networking events is sufficient when they think of networking. However, keeping in touch with acquaintances and making new ones at an after-work gathering, at a football game, or in a coffee shop are excellent methods to reconnect.
Additionally moving online is networking. Making a connection with a former coworker or manager through social media sites like LinkedIn or Facebook is a terrific method to learn about new prospects.
The most influential and powerful worldwide social networks are Facebook and LinkedIn. In many respects, it functions as a sizable alumni network that enables you to reconnect with members of your former social circles, including those from your old school, college, or university, as well as those from your year group or another one.
Make careful to let people know if you are actively seeking a new position because you never know when or where the next opportunity may arise.
Keep a record of every contact you make, including their title, the business they work for, and the time, place, and platform you interacted with them.
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Maintain Your Skills
To remain competitive in the present job market, you should continually improve your skill set and professional profile.
To keep ahead of the curve, make sure you are knowledgeable about the numerous technological and internet abilities required in today’s work environment.
If you’re just starting in the workforce, you could also require more training or experience to find work.
Determine if you have a gap in your resume or profile using the comments you receive from recruiters or networking. Update your professional profile as soon as you have gained new skills.
Final Reflections
Although it may appear difficult, following this advice will help you conduct a fruitful online job search.
Just remember to follow these simple four steps:
Consider how your brand and profile fit in the industry you are interested in.
Refresh your online image.
Start networking if you run into someone or connect with them online. You can mention that you are seeking work. Keep in mind that networking naturally occurs, so you are not required to attend a specific event.
Prepare your professional profile and résumé before you begin applying for employment.
If you’re just getting started, submit applications via a combination of job boards and LinkedIn before moving on to other social media sites like Facebook.
Once you are at ease with it, you can compile a list of acquaintances and get in touch with them.
And finally, begin building your brand and focusing on the specific businesses you want to work with.
Once you have mastered online job applications, look over our interview advice to help you land that job offer and be hired.
