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Find a Job
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Decision Making
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| Shaping your career journey is an ongoing process of exploration, discovery and reevaluation that constantly repeats itself throughout your life. Each job, each experience will help you gain more information about yourself that you can use to refine your criteria for your career plans. Each job, each experience will open new doors and opportunities that you will never have thought of before. |
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| Re-evaluation |
| Opting for a career is rarely a single decision that you make early in your life that shapes the rest of it. Most people make many distinct decisions about their careers throughout their lifetimes. Sometimes the changes aren’t drastic; sometimes the changes are in totally different directions. |
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| Assessment |
| When making decisions about your career, consider those personal qualities that are essential for you to thrive and that give the greatest satisfaction to you. Consider the skills that you enjoy using. Think about your interests as potential clues for areas of work that you can consider. Assess your values about what is truly important to you in a job and your general life. Identify key characteristics about yourself; these would be fundamental to the decision making process. |
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| Exploration |
| Through books, informational interviews, internships, and other forms of research, explore different career options and identify those areas that seem to be in accordance with the information you have identified through the assessment process. |
| Keep your options open! Many students believe they should have their career plans clearly defined - resist that expectation. Careers develop over time. In fact, for many, clarity about careers only develops after working a few jobs. Feel comfortable telling others that you're exploring your options, and then be sure to commit to a process of exploration! |
| Your first job will not determine the rest of your life. This viewpoint will create paralysis and undue stress on your decisions. Rest assured that your first job has little likelihood of determining the rest of your life. In fact, your first job will have little to do with your last job. |
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- Take risks. Don't be afraid of failure or uncertainty. We learn the most from those experiences that test us. Playing it safe can keep you from discovering wonderful opportunities and making great connections. For those who are worried about making a mistake choosing their first job or internship.
- Be aware and take advantage of opportunities. Get involved in extracurricular activities, research projects, jobs, internships, travel or overseas study opportunities.
- Look for natural connections and coherences between experiences. The more experiences you have, the more you'll clarify your interests and values and learn where your passion may lie.
- Set aside time to learn about various careers and to reflect on what’s important to the life you want to live. While the task of sorting out your options after college may seem overwhelming, you will be amazed how information about careers can help clarify your options.
- Listen to advice, but make up your own mind. Gather information and perspectives, and then make decisions based on what is important to you, not what you think you should do.
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| Self-Assessments |
| The essence of career planning is finding a fit between who you are and an environment that suits you. The first step is to assess your motivations, interests, and talents. Career planning is not a one-time event, but a dynamic, on-going process as you learn and respond to change, within yourself and in the organizations with which you work. |
| This will help you: |
- Crystallize what you want to do and what is important to you
- Improve self-understanding and build better relationships with others
- Increase your chances of career success by considering appropriate options
- Articulate your strengths in cover letters, interviews, etc.
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Job Search Advice
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| Ten Steps to Find a New Job: |
| This is a step by step guide on finding jobs, including how to get started, where to find jobs, and how to apply. |
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| 1. Focus Your Job Search |
| Use the job search engines to find jobs by using keywords that match your interests and the location where you want to work. Narrowing your search criteria will help you focus your job search and will give you more relevant job listings to review and less irrelevant job listings to weed through. |
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| 2. Build Your Brand |
| Create profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, and VisualCV. A strong personal brand that portrays you in a professional light will provide recruiters, employers, and contacts with a strong positive impression of you as a candidate they should be interested in. |
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| 3. Connect With Your Contacts |
| Now that you've created profiles on networking sites, use them. Connect with everyone you know, because you never know which contact may be able to help you with your job search or put you in touch with someone who can. |
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| 4. Use Job Search Tools |
| There are a variety of widgets, gadgets, and tools that will help expedite your job search and manage your career. Use them to organize your job search and save valuable job searching time. |
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| 5. Create a List of Companies |
| Do you have a list of companies you would like to work for? It's a good idea to research company information and create a list of companies to target in your job search. All the information you need is available on the web, and it's easy to find detailed information about potential employers online. |
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| 6. Find Job Listings |
| Check job search engine sites, job banks, company web sites, networking sites, niche job sites, and sites listed by type of job. Consider working with a recruiter to maximize your opportunities. |
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| 7. Target Your Resume and Cover Letter |
| It's important to take the time to get targeted resumes and cover letters that specifically link your qualifications to the hiring criteria for the jobs you are applying for. The hiring manager will be able to see, at a glance, why, and how, you are qualified for the job. You'll have a much better chance of getting an interview than if you send a generic letter and resume. |
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| 8. Ace the Interview |
| Research the company before you go for the interview, dress appropriately, practice answering and asking interview questions, and make a concerted effort to impress the interviewer with your skills, experience, confidence, and expertise. |
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| 9. Follow Up |
| It's important to follow up after an interview by thanking everyone you met with. Also reiterate your interest in the position and remind the hiring manager why you're an excellent candidate for the job. |
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| 10. Accept (or Decline) a Job Offer |
| When you receive a job offer, it's important to take the time to carefully evaluate the offer so you are making an educated decision to accept, or to reject, the offer. You don't have to accept a job just because it was offered to you, but do carefully evaluate it and if you decline, do so politely. |
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| Fast Track Your Job Search |
What can you do when you have to find a job fast? It's not easy, but there are steps you can take to expedite your job search.
Spending some time to get your job search in order, keeping it organized, focused, and on the fast track will help you find a job faster than if you don't have a plan in place. Rather than missing your job search targets, you'll be spending your time job searching in an effective manner if you take it one step at a time and stay on top of managing job search process. |
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| Plan and Organize Your Job Search |
| Taking a few minutes to make a list of everything you're going to do to job search, is a great way to get your job hunt off to a good start. In addition to knowing what you're going to do, you'll have the satisfaction of crossing items off your list. Take some time now to organize your job search and the entire process will be easier. Take advantage of the free tools available to help you plan and manage your job search. |
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| Get a Professional Resume |
| Your resume needs to be professional and polished, because if you don't have a professional resume, your application materials probably won't get a second glance from a hiring manager. Jiffy Resumes makes sure your resume has what it takes to make a good impact and has what it takes, from a tech vantage point, to get found by prospective employers. |
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| Create / Update Your Professional Profiles |
| One of the most important parts of online job searching is your profiles. That's what you use to connect with people in your network and your profile is how you get found on LinkedIn and other networking sites by potential employers. Create profiles if you don't have them and update your profiles if you do, so they are current and compelling. |
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| Select Job Search Websites |
| Don't post your resume or look for jobs on every job search website under the sun or use all of them to job search. Instead, speed up your job search by using the job search engines to search for jobs across the Internet. Also, select niche sites, which are job sites focused on a specific industry or career field, and local job sites, that list jobs in a city, region, or state, that are match for the types of jobs and where you want to work. |
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| Use Your Words |
| When you're searching for jobs online, it is important for you to type in the best criteria (search words) to make your searches the most relevant to retrieve your target jobs. |
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| Try Guerrilla Tactics |
| Try something different. You can find a job faster by doing three simple things: know the position you want, know where you want to work and consider using unconventional "guerrilla" tactics to get noticed and get hired. |
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| Network Your Way to a New Job |
| Career networking should be a part of your daily job search routine. It doesn't take long to send an email or a LinkedIn or Facebook message just to say hello and to mention that you're job searching. |
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| Ace the Interview |
| The rest of this advice will be to no avail if you do all the right job search stuff, and then blow the interview. Once you have been selected for a job interview, it's important to prepare properly. That means practicing interview questions and answers, dressing in appropriate interview attire, and, after the interview, sending thank you letters to your interviewers. |
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| Follow Up |
| Follow up with everyone. Send a thank you email or note after your job interviews. Send a quick message on LinkedIn or Facebook or a Direct Message on Twitter to the people who help with your job search, gave you a job lead, put you in touch with a connection, or gave you advice. A little gratitude goes a long way. |
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| Online Job Search |
| Research online job search resources, including job search sites, job search engines, networking sites, online job search tools, and tips to ensure that you are using all the Internet job search resources available to help find a job online. |
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Job Search Engines: Use a job search engine to expedite your search for a job online, by searching all the top job sites, company sites, and niche job sites for job listings.
Job Listings: Online job search resources including job listings, job banks, job sites, and employment opportunities listed by location and career field.
Online Networking: Online professional and social networking can help you find employment opportunities and build your career. Make the most of them.
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| LinkedIn and Your Job Search |
Learn how to use LinkedIn as part of your job search, including how to increase your visibility and connections, so employers and recruiters can find you. The main reason that companies are using LinkedIn is to find passive job candidates. Another reason why companies are using LinkedIn, is because referrals from their employees are highly valued because they typically have a higher success rate (hence the popular "employee referral bonuses"). LinkedIn helps companies leverage the networks of their employees."
LinkedIn has reached a point where it's almost unprofessional not to be on LinkedIn. There are members from all 500 of the Fortune 500 companies. LinkedIn members comprise 130 different industries, and include 130,000 recruiters. |
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| Search LinkedIn |
| Take a few minutes to search LinkedIn and you’re sure to find lots of contacts from your current and prior employers, clients, vendors, and schools. All those contacts have the potential to help you grow your career or find a new job. In addition, it can be a good source of employment references, as well as reference checking. You can search the Jobs section of linked in by keyword and location or used the Advanced Search option to search by more specific criteria. |
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| How to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job - Or Have a Job Find You |
- Create a Profile. Create a detailed profile on LinkedIn, including employment (current and past), education, industry, and web sites.
- Consider a Photo. You can add a photo (a headshot is recommended or upload a larger photo and edit it) to your LinkedIn profile. Note that it must be a small photo - no larger than 80x80 pixels.
- Keywords and Skills. Include all your resume keywords and skills in your profile, so your profile will be found.
- Build Your Network. Connect with other members and build your network. The more connections you have, the more opportunities you have.
- Get Recommendations. Recommendations from people you have worked with carry a lot of weight.
- Search Jobs. Use the job search section to find job listings.
- Use Answers. The Answers section of LinkedIn is a good way to increase your visibility. Respond to questions, and ask a question if you need information or assistance.
- Stay Connected. Use LinkedIn Mobile (m.linkedin.com) to view profiles, invite new connections, and access to LinkedIn Answers from your phone.
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| Job Fairs |
| When you're job searching, take some time to attend job fairs. You'll have the opportunity to meet with employers that you might not be able to access any other way. Plus, job fairs and career expos often offer networking programs, resume reviews, and workshops for job seekers. What can you do to compete with the crowds attending job fairs? These tips will help you get ready to attend and maximize your opportunities while you're there. |
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Tips for Attending a Job Fair
- Dress for Success. Attend the job fair dressed for success in professional interview attire, and carry a portfolio. However, do wear comfortable shoes, because you will be standing in line.
- Practice a Pitch. Practice a quick pitch summarizing your skills and experience so you're ready to promote your candidacy to prospective employers.
- Bring Supplies. Bring extra copies of your resume, pens, a notepad, and business cards with your name, your email address, and cell phone number.
- Check Out Companies. Many job fairs and career expos have information on participating companies on the job fair web site. Be prepared to talk to hiring managers by checking out the company's web site, mission, open positions, and general information before you go.
- Arrive Early. Keep in mind that lines can be long, so arrive early before the fair officially opens.
- Attend a Workshop. If the job fair has workshops or seminars, attend them. In addition to getting job search advice, you'll have more opportunities to network.
- Network. While you are waiting in line, talk to others. You never know who might be able to help with your job search.
- Show Initiative. Shake hands and introduce yourself to recruiters when you reach the table. Demonstrate your interest in the company and their job opportunities.
- Be Enthusiastic. Employer surveys identify one of the most important personal attributes candidates can bring to a new position as enthusiasm. This means that employers want to see you smile!
- Ask Questions. Have some questions ready for the company representatives. The more you engage them, the better impression you'll make.
- Collect Business Cards. Collect business cards, so you have the contact information for the people you have spoken with.
- Take Notes. It's hard to keep track when you're meeting with multiple employers in a busy environment. Jot down notes on the back of the business cards you have collected or on your notepad, so you have a reminder of who you spoke to about what.
- Say Thank You. Take the time to send a brief follow up thank you note or email to the company representatives you met at the job fair. It's a good way to reiterate your interest in the company and to remind company representatives that you're a strong candidate.
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| Find a Job Fair |
| There are some companies that have job fairs scheduled throughout the year. Career Conferences of America, for example, run targeted fairs for a variety of constituents including global MBA/Master's candidates, women, minorities and college students. While other organizations, such as LI Works, have an event once or twice a year. Still others, including Women for Hire, focus on a particular audience. Job fairs can be overwhelming with many people waiting to see the same employer, on the spot interviewing, noise and sometimes confusion. However, they can be a valuable tool and a good way to meet company representatives face to face. Before you go, review some tips on participating which will help make your Career Fair experience a positive one. Then take a look at some upcoming fairs in your city or state, or try out a virtual fair. |
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| Using Headhunters, Search Firms and Employment Agencies |
| Types of employment Agencies |
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Employment Agency
A traditional employment agency assists job seekers in finding work. Some firms charge the job seeker, so be sure to clarify, upfront, if there is a fee. Others are paid by the employer.
Contingency Employment Agency
A contingency agency is paid when their candidate is hired by the employer. These types of firms are most often used for low and midlevel searches and they often send a large number of resumes to the employer.
Retained Search Firm
A retained search firm has an exclusive relationship with the employer. Search firms are typically hired for senior level searches and for a specific period of time to find a candidate to fill a job. They are paid expenses, plus a percentage of the employee's salary, regardless of whether the candidate is hired.
Temporary (Temp) Agency
Temporary agencies are employment agencies that find employees to fill temporary jobs. For example, temps are often hired to work during seasonal increases in business or to cover vacations or illnesses. Many temporary agencies have expanded their role in the employment sector to fill "temp to perm" positions where they position starts out as a temporary job, but, could become permanent if the employer decides to hire the candidate. |
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Job Listings
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| Best New Job Search Websites |
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Realmatch.com
Realmatch works like an online dating service, but with jobs instead of people. The system matches you with employers and presents the results according to how good the match is. So, you're only viewing jobs that are a good fit. That's a real timesaver. |
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VisualCV.com
A VisualCV is an online version of your resume, but, like a portfolio, has much more - images, videos, and links to your accomplishments. Everyone should have a VisualCV, even if you're not actively job seeking. It's an excellent way to showcase your skills and present your personal brand. |
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Standoutjobs.com
If you're looking for a job at one of the companies that partner with Standout Jobs (220+ and more joining every day) you'll find lots of good information that will help you evaluate the company and learn more about job opportunities. These interactive company career sites use video, blogging, chat, and widgets to showcase and brand the company’s culture and team to potential candidates. |
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Glassdoor.com
Are you wondering about what jobs sound interesting and which companies you might want to work for? Do you want to know what one of those jobs at one of those companies could pay? You'll find all that, plus reviews, ratings, company information, salaries, CEO approval rating, competitors, content providers, and more. |
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Alltop.com: Jobs and Career News
It can be quite confusing to look through all the job listings online and to figure out which ones are a good fit. Now, there's an easy way to see job postings all in one place. Alltop Jobs has made it simple to do that. There's also an Alltop Career News category where you take a look at the top career blogs, also all on one page, and stay on top of what's happening in the world of careers. |
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JobSerf
If you can afford to pay ($98 for two weeks) for help with basic job searching, JobSerf.com is worth a try. JobSerf provides personalized online job searching for you by sending out your resume and cover letter to online listings in your area from a multitude of sources. The job seekers who tried it saved a bunch of time. |
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| Top Job Boards |
Some of the best job sites are traditional job boards, like Monster and CareerBuilder. Others, like Indeed.com, allow you to search many job boards, company career pages, associations, and other sites that list jobs.
There are also sites that focus on certain types of positions or match you with employers, like Realmatch. All of them are worth incorporating into your job search, because not all employers list on every site, even though it may sometimes seem that way. |
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CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder is among the top job sites with thousands of job postings and resumes. CareerBuilder has partnered with Gannett, Knight Ridder, Tribune, and other newspapers to provide local as well as national job listings. CareerBuilder.com powers the online job search centers for more than 1,000 partners, including 150 newspapers, America Online, and MSN. |
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CoolWorks
If you're interested in a seasonal job, start your search with CoolWorks. CoolWorks lists thousands of summer and seasonal jobs. There's a free weekly email newsletter and the opportunity to sign-up for a free email account to use for your job search. |
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Indeed.com
Indeed includes millions of job listings from thousands of web sites, including company career pages, job boards, newspaper classifieds, associations, and blogs. Any job search can be saved as an email alert, so new jobs are delivered daily. Job seekers may also search job trends and salaries, read and participate in discussion forums, research companies and even find people working for companies of interest through their online social networks. |
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LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the top career networking site and an excellent way to connect with people who can help with your job search and/or who work at a company you're interested in. In addition, LinkedIn has a Jobs section where you can search for positions by keyword and location, or use the Advanced Search option to search for listings by even more specific criteria. |
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LinkUp
LinkUp is a job search engine that uncovers unadvertised jobs listed on company web sites. LinkUp monitors thousands of small, mid-sized, and large company career sections in order to connect applicants with unadvertised jobs by listing the jobs on company web sites. |
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Monster
From a numbers perspective, Monster continues to be the top job board site. Positions range from hourly local jobs to professional positions in just about every career field. |
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Realmatch
Realmatch works a little like an online dating service, but with jobs. The system matches you with employers and presents the results according to how good the match is. |
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SimplyHired
SimplyHired searches thousands of job boards, classifieds, and company sites. Advanced search options include type of job, type of company, keyword, location, and the date the job was posted. |
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USAJobs
USAJobs (USAJobs.gov) is the Federal Government's official source for Federal Government job listings, job application, and employment information. |
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Yahoo! HotJobs
In addition to job postings, registered HotJobs users can get search results automatically delivered by email, block employers from seeing their resume, create and save cover letters, and save job search results. |
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| Work From Home Jobs |
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How to Find a Work at Home Job
Finding a work from home job isn't easy. It's going to take some work and research to find a legitimate job. First, review the types of work at home jobs that are available, along with job listings. Then, check out the lists of companies that are known to be "telecommuting friendly" and most of these employers list work from home jobs online. |
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Work at Home Job Listings
In addition to companies that typically hire employees that work from home, there are sites where you can find work at home job listings. Carefully review the listings you find, because you will find scams can slip through the cracks and get posted on even the best sites. |
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LinkUp
Job search engine LinkUp.com searches only for jobs on company web sites, so it's a good way to avoid scams. Search using "telecommute" or "telecommuting" as a keyword to find legitimate work at home job listings. |
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SimplyHired.com Work at Home Jobs
Use SimplyHired's "telecommute" search options for find work at home job listings from job boards, company web sites, and other sources. |
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| More Work at Home Listings From Job Search Engines |
| Job search engine sites allow users to search by keyword and location. If you have specific skills (i.e. insurance claims, customer service, web design) such by those skills and terms like work at home, freelance, telecommute, etc. |
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Craigslist
Search for work at home freelance positions by entering "freelance" or "work at home" as a keyword in the search box on the front page of the site. Otherwise, click on the city that interests you and review the list of job openings. |
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Job Boards
Monster, CareerBuilder, Yahoo! Hot Jobs and the other top job boards all contain work at home job listings. It takes some work just to weed through the postings, but, they are there. Search using keywords like "freelance" "telecommute" "work from home" and "work at home" as well as by the type of work you are interested in. Again, be specific. |
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A Word of Work From Home Warning
Jobs that promise you oodles of money with little investment of time and no experience aren't legitimate. Legitimate work at home jobs are going to require that you have skills relevant to the position. Many jobs require skills like writing, graphic design, programming or web design, for example. If you don't have any experience in the field(s) you are interested in, it's going to be difficult to find an employer willing to hire you. |
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| Most employers who are willing to hire someone to work from home want workers who can work independently and get the job done with little guidance. Please take the time to research every job lead you find and every site you visit carefully. Even sites that purport to be impartial sometimes aren't. |
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| Teen Job Sites |
| Start your online job search by visiting the sites that focus on teenagers and students. Here are the best job sites for teens, plus tips for searching them. |
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SnagAJob.com
The largest and one of the best sites for finding part-time jobs and internships. Search by type of job, location and zip code to generate a list of jobs. Job seekers can fill out an online profile and also apply online. |
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SimplyHired
Use SimplyHired.com's Advanced Search option and select Seasonal (for summer jobs) or Part-Time to search for part time jobs. |
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Studentjobs.gov
US Government internships, co-ops, summer employment, volunteer opportunities and permanent part-time or full-time positions. |
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Job Search Engines
Search the job search engines using keywords like "summer" "temporary" "part time" or the type of job you're interested in to find job opportunities for teens. |
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Job Banks Search
Monster, HotJobs, CareerBuilder and the other major job databases and job search engines by keyword - use "summer" or "summer camp" and location. |
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Facebook Groups
Search Facebook for "summer jobs" or "part-time jobs" and you'll find Groups set up by employers who are hiring. |
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More Job Sites
The retail and the hospitality industries often hire for summer jobs and are willing to provide training. Not all of these types of employers post online, so check with the stores or restaurants in your town to see if they have openings. Don't forget to check the local jobs sites for your city or state, as well as the Employment Services job listings, you local Chamber of Commerce web site, and the Help Wanted ads in your newspaper. |
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Teen Job Search Tips
Job seekers will need to register to utilize some of these sites, so keep track of your user ids and passwords. Some of these sites request your phone number when you register. if a phone number is a required field, try typing the word "private." If the system doesn't reject it, then you are set. If it does reject it, then think twice about giving out your phone number to sites that insist on it.
Read the site's privacy policy before giving out a phone number, or any personal info including email. If you are under 18, or not sure about what to give out, ask your parents. |
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Job Search Tips
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| Ten Time Saving Tips to Speed Up Your Job Search |
| Is your job search off to a slow start or getting stuck? Here are some quick time-saving job search tips that will help your hunt for a new job go smoothly. |
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| 1. Be Prepared. Have a telephone answering machine or voice mail system in place and sign-up for a professional sounding email address. Put your cell phone number on your resume so you can follow up in a timely manner. This job search toolkit will help you get everything you need set for your job search. Always have an up-to-date resume ready to send - even if you are not currently looking for work. You never know when an opportunity that is too good to pass up might come along. |
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| 2. Don't Wait. If you are laid-off, file for unemployment benefits right away. You may be able to file online or by phone. Waiting could delay your benefits check. |
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| 3. Get Help. Utilize free or inexpensive services that provide career counseling and job search assistance such as college career offices, state Department of Labor offices or your local public library. |
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| 4. Get your Resume Ready. Have copies of your resume and cover letter ready to edit. That way you can change the content to match the requirements of the job you're applying for, but, the contact information and your opening and closing paragraphs won't need to be changed. |
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| 5. Use Job Search Engines. Search the job search engines. Use the job search engine sites to search the major job banks, company sites, associations, and other sites with job postings for you. |
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| 6. Jobs by Email. Let the jobs come to you. Use job search agents to sign up and receive job listings by email. All the major job sites have search agents and some web sites specialize in sending announcements. |
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| 7. Time Savers. Strapped for time? Consider getting help writing or editing your resume. Resume posting services that post your resume to multiple job sites at once can save hours of data entry. |
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| 8. References Ready. Have a list of three references including name, job title, company, phone number and email address ready to give to interviewers. |
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| 9. Use Your Network. Be cognizant of the fact that many, if not most, job openings aren't advertised. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for work. Ask if they can help. |
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| 10. Don't Stop. Don't limit your job searching to the top sites like Monster, CareerBuilder and HotJobs. Check the smaller niche sites that focus on a particular geographic location or career field and you will find plenty of job listings. |
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| Job Search Agent |
| Job seekers can set up job search agents on job sites (like Monster and CareerBuilder) or on job search engines (like Indeed and SimplyHired) so that they are automatically notified by email when new job postings that match the criteria they set are listed. Many employer web sites also allow job seekers to set up search agents to send new jobs as they are listed. A job search agent can also be set up to send listings to your cell phone or instant message account. |
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| Job Search Toolkit |
| The first impression you give an employer is the most important one. That first impression includes email, phone, fax and other electronic communications, as well as your resume and cover letter. If you have a bizarre voicemail message the caller might decide not to leave a message. A wacky email address could get your message, and your resume, into the trash mailbox. So, before you seek employment make sure you have the appropriate tools for a professional and business-like job search. |
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| Email Address Appropriate for Business Use |
| There are a variety of free Web-based email accounts that you can use. Setting up a new email account for job searching is especially important if you have a work account, but, no personal account. |
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| Instant Message Screen Name |
| If you're using an Instant Messenger service for networking or job searching, make sure your Screen Name sounds professional. |
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| Acronyms |
| Don't use acronyms (like u for you or TTYL for talk to you later) when communicating by email. It's not professional. All your employment-related communications should be as professional (and proofread) as the letters you send on paper. |
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| Answering Machine or Voicemail |
| If your telephone service provider doesn't have voicemail which will pick up if the line is busy, consider an internet answering machine to field calls while you're out, on the phone, or online. |
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| Resume Paper |
| When sending paper resumes and cover letters, use good quality paper in a traditional color. White or beige is best. |
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| Resume Content |
| Your resume needs to include contact information as well as work history and skills. Proof your resume to verify the phone number, email address and other information is accurate. Sometimes employers are unable to reach candidates because there was a typo in a phone number. |
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| Contact Organizer |
| Keeping track of where you've sent your resume, who you've networked with, and when you are going to follow-up is important. Broadcasting hundreds of resumes isn't going to do you any good if you can't remember where you sent them. Set up a directory on your hard drive for job searching and include copies of all the cover letters you send. That way you'll be prepared when you're called for an interview. Also set up a folder for job searching in your email client so you can track email inquiries you send as well as responses from employers. Use an appointment book, notebook or online organizer to keep track of interviews and follow-up email messages and phone calls you'll need to make. |
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| Keeping Track |
| Consider using a notebook to keep track of your job searching applications, resumes sent, follow-up calls you need to make, and most of all, your progress towards job hunting success. |
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Local Job Search
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| Local Job Search Sites |
| These are top sites for finding local job listings. Remember to "think local" when you want to find a job in a specific location. Your job search should focus on local job search resources. |
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| Indeed.com |
Indeed includes job listings from hundreds of web sites including major job boards, top
newspapers, as well as hundreds of associations and company career pages. Search by city, state or zip code or click on Advanced Search to search for jobs within a certain amount of miles from a location. All searches you do can be saved as an email alert, so new jobs are delivered daily. Indeed.com has the look and feel of Google and the other top search engines. It's user friendly, uncluttered, and simple and easy to navigate. Using a job search engine will save you time and effort, because you can search many of the top job sites at once. Indeed.com's international sites are an excellent resource for finding job listings fast. You can search millions of job listings in Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and selected other countries from thousands of web sites, job boards, newspapers, blogs, career pages, and associations to find job listings that match or are similar to your search query. All searches you do can be saved as an email alert, so new jobs are delivered daily. |
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| SimplyHired.com |
Simply Hired is a job search engine that takes the hassle out of getting hired. If you know exactly what you are looking for, you can search by typing in a specific keyword(s) and location.
Or, if you are not quite sure what you want to do, you can search by job category or browse jobs by title, by company, location or industry. If you have already have a job, but want to know how it compares to other positions that are available, use SimplyHired to check out the job market.
When you're looking for a job in a specific geographic location, you will need to see more than just the job posting. SimplyHired's local portals (covering 30,000+ locations) will help you find the information you need to know before you apply for a job. SimplyHired's local job search resources assist job seekers in finding connections at companies, researching salaries, mapping the location of the job, and locating similar jobs in the same area. |
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| View Your LinkedIn Connections on SimplyHired |
Who you know can make all the difference in the world when you're job searching. A connection at a company can help you secure an interview, can help you get a foot in the door with the hiring manager, and can provide you with a reference. Job seekers can see, at glance, who they know when they use job search engine SimplyHired.com's application that lets users view who they are connected with - in real time- on LinkedIn when they search for jobs on SimplyHired. Job seekers can connect directly from a SimplyHired.com job listing to their LinkedIn network to find out if they have contacts a company. Clicking on the "Who Do I Know" button at the top of the search results will give you an in-line view of your connections without having to leave Simply Hired. When you click on your connection's name, depending on the level of your connection with them, you'll be able to send a LinkedIn InMail message, request an introduction, or add the person to your network.
Being able to see your connections on LinkedIn not only gives you the ability to leverage your social connections. It also saves a lot of job searching time. In the past, you would have to go to LinkedIn and search to find connections at the company for each job you are interested in. Now you can see them directly in the LinkedIn search results.
Share a Job
When you come across a job listing that's perfect for some you know who is job searching, Simply Hired's "Share" feature enables you to share job listings on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or via email. Click on "Share" under the job posting and it will be on the way to your connections.
View Your Facebook Friends on SimplyHired
Simply Hired's Facebook application provides a way for job seekers to view job openings at their friend's companies and to send messages to their friends at those company to see if they can help with their job search. Job seekers who use the Facebook Connect integration can interact with their Facebook profile and friends on SimplyHired.com to receive customized job recommendations and personalize their job search.
Using SimplyHired with Facebook To get started, simply click on "Log On to Facebook" when you visit SimplyHired.com.You'll see your Facebook friends at the top of the page when you search for jobs, plus, you'll see your LinkedIn connections on the right side of the page next to individual job postings. |
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| Geebo.com |
| Search for jobs on Geebo.com by keyword, job function, zip code, location, and/or company. |
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| JobDig.com |
| Click on the map to search for local job listings or browse job listings by type. JobDig also provides job and career articles and advice. |
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| Jobing.com |
| Jobing.com is an excellent resource for finding local jobs. When you visit Jobing, the first thing you are asked for is your zip code, so you can conduct a local job search. You'll find job listings and employment resources for a variety of locations. The service area doesn't cover all locations, but Jobing continue to expand. |
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| Craigslist |
Craigslist is a good source of job listings in a specific location. Jobs are listed by location and category. You can also post your resume to your local Craigslist site.
Craigslist Job Search Options:
The easiest way to find jobs on Craigslist is to go to the city or state site where you are interested in looking for jobs. You'll see a directory of sites on the right side of the original Craigslist page or you can go directly to the list of Craigslist - Cities. Not all cities have a dedicated site, so if you don't see your city, use the state site. Once you've reached the location you want, either click on the type of job or click on "Jobs" to run a keyword search.
Instructions on how to apply are included in the individual job posting.
Craigslist Resume Posting:
You'll find a link that says "Resumes" at the bottom of the list of job listing categories. Click on it and you'll be able to upload your resume. Craigslist also has part-time job listings, gigs and a jobs wanted section. |
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| Help Wanted Ads |
| Are you using the help wanted classified ads when you look for jobs? If not, you should be. Local and regional employers don't always post on the major jobs sites like Monster or HotJobs. Instead, they will advertise in their local newspaper to avoid being overwhelmed with applicants and, in many cases, because they are not interested in paying relocation costs. |
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| Online Help Wanted Ads |
| There are directories of newspapers, both national and international, available to save time searching for papers in locations that interest you. |
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| Local / Regional Job Sites |
| There are also local and regional job sites that can be effective in finding a job in a specific location. Again, many of these sites include listings from local employers who may not be inclined to post on the major jobs sites. If you are looking for a job close to home or for a position around the country or around the world, be sure to include the Help Wanted ads on a daily basis to ensure you are applying for every potential job opportunity you can! |
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| Chamber of Commerce Web Sites |
| The Chamber of Commerce in your town (or the town where you want to work) is an excellent source of local job listings. Companies that belong to the Chamber of Commerce often list on the Chamber Job Board first and there will often be less competition for available positions. |
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| State Employment Resources: |
Job-Hunt.Org
Job-Hunt.Org has an extensive list of employment resources for each U.S. state, including job listings, job search networking and support, and major employers. |
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| Job Listings |
| Job Search Engines use the job search engine sites to search job boards, company websites, professional associations and other online job sites by keyword and location. Job search engine sites, including Indeed, LinkUp, and Simply Hired, allow users to search the major job sites, company sites, associations and other online job sites by keyword and location. |
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| LinkUp Job Search Engine |
LinkUp is a job search engine that uncovers hidden jobs from company web sites. LinkUp monitors thousands of small, mid-sized, and large company career sections in order to connect applicants with unadvertised jobs by listing the jobs on company web sites. LinkUp publishes job openings that are listed on corporate and employer web sites from around the country. As a result, the listings are from real companies, there are no duplicates because they are only pulled from a single source, and they are always current.
Job applicants can search jobs by Job Title, Keywords, Company Name, City, State, or Zip Code. LinkUp offers other features to help applicants find jobs through thir site including Tabs, which allows users to look at and click between multiple job listings simultaneously, Job Clouds, which gives suggestions for search terms, job alerts, and an effective job tracker system. LinkUp also provides title/description specific searching, as well as the ability to search multiple companies. The "Job basket” allows users to store their favorite jobs in an easily accessible (web or RSS) format. |
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| Niche Job Search Engine Sites |
| A niche job search engine aggregates job listings in a specific industry, career field, or type of position. Job seekers can search niche job search engines by keyword, location, and category. While traditional job search engines search across the Internet for jobs, niche job search engines search for jobs based on a more specialized criteria - just green jobs from green job boards, jobs listed on company websites or on Twitter, or only retail jobs. |
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| GreenJobSpider.com |
| Green Job Spider enables job seekers to search the more than 50 job boards that focus on green jobs with just a couple of clicks. |
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| Green Job Bank |
| The Green Job Bank is a job search engine that indexes green jobs from green job boards, general job boards, and green employer websites. |
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| JobsOnTheMenu.com |
| JobsOnTheMenu.com, connects job seekers and restaurant and food service employers. Job seekers can search jobs by keyword and location, and apply for jobs online. |
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| SEOJobsFinder.com |
| SEO Jobs Finder is a niche job search engine with SEO, social media, web, PPC, and copywriting job listings. |
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| SimplyHired.com New Graduate Jobs |
| SimplyHired.coms’s new graduate job filter allows college seniors and recent graduates with no or limited work experience to view job listings relevant to their experience level, majors and skills. |
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| Tweecal |
| Tweecal searches jobs on Twitter by keyword and location. |
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Veteran Jobs
Jobs for veterans from job search engine Simply Hired.
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| WorkInRetail.com |
| WorkInRetail.com has retail corporate, management and hourly job listings. Job seekers can search by keyword, location, and category. |
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| WorkatHomeCareers.com |
| Search for work at home jobs by keyword, but scroll past the ads to review the search results and apply for jobs. |
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