Sample exercise: Preparing for an online job search.
Getting Started
Online job hunting requires the same skills as a traditional job search, but the tools are different. The purpose of this guide is to provide information about:
online résumés
posting a résumé to an online job bank
evaluating job search sites
Online Job Searching
The online environment has changed the dynamics of job seekers and employers. The advantages of online for a job seeker are:
Job seekers are able to search available job openings without purchasing newspapers or job bulletins.
The online environment allows the job seeker to search multiple geographic locations for jobs without physically traveling out of town.
The online environment allows the job seeker to search using a variety of job titles and categories to find the best match.
In most cases, online job openings are updated more frequently than the paper versions.
To access recommended online guides and selected articles on the topic of online job searching, review the following Web sites:
Creative Job Search from the Minnesota WorkForce Center
The Riley Guide - Employment Opportunities and Job Resources on the Internet
CAREER JOURNAL from THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Online job banks are a means that job seekers and employers often use to exchange information over the Internet. Job banks function in two ways:
They work with businesses to post position openings on the Web. This greatly expands the reach of the listings by allowing potential employees from across the country to access the information.
They host résumé banks. Résumé banks are collections of résumés posted by job seekers. This service is usually free of charge and offers businesses a way to identify potential employees.
Creating an Online Résumé
Creating a résumé for online publication or distribution requires a different approach from that of the familiar traditional paper medium. The following guidelines may help you to develop a online résumé:
Content
The online résumé content should be the same as your traditional résumé. It should reflect your educational and professional autobiography. The focus is on you; your educational history, job experiences, skills, and references. The first step is to follow a traditional résumé outline and develop a summary description. Check with the campus LRC staff for books on writing a résumé. Books about résumés are found at call number HF 5383 in the LRC or other local libraries. For guidelines on creating a résumé, see Résumés, Applications and Cover Letters (Crosby, Olivia. Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Summer 1999, vol. 43, issue 2, page 2.
Résumés usually include:
Name / contact information
Objective or summary
Experience
Skills
Education
Licenses, certifications, or publications
Format
There are common practices related to posting a résumé that are adopted by most job sites. You will probably utilize one of the following formats:
Proprietary form
Some sites such as Monster.com have developed their own résumé format. The résumé is developed by inputting data into a form.
Plain text file
Many sites require that résumés be submitted in plain text format or as an ASCII file. A document in text format will permit indexing and searching by computer systems. Some formatting features such as bold, underline, bullets, or unusual fonts are removed when the file is saved as text.
Updates
Posting a résumé online makes updating fairly easy. Update your résumé whenever you acquire a new skill, improve an existing skill, or receive an academic honor or award.
Evaluating Job Sites
There are numerous job and résumé posting sites operating on the Internet. The Virtual Library provides links to many popular Web sites from the "Job Listing" category of REFERENCE RESOURCES (Main Menu). It is important to examine the quality and functionality of each site before deciding to post your résumé. Posting a résumé on the wrong site may contribute to an ineffective job search, may expose your personal information to risk, or put you in a position to become a victim of online spam.
Finding the most effective job search sites requires a little bit of research. The following evaluation guidelines should be considered:
Not all job sites are created equal. It is important to consider:
Geographical coverage
Some sites may be focused on certain geographical locations while others are national or even international in scope. If it is important to you that your résumé be seen across a specific geographic area, make sure the site matches your interest.
Effectiveness
The heart of a job search site is its search engine. The retrieval algorithm governs the speed and effectiveness of searches. The best sites support multiple search strategies such as keyword, job title, location, or posting date.
Relevancy
Conduct a few searches within a site using a combination of keywords, job titles from your field of study, and specific locations. Analyze the retrieved results to check the posting dates on the job openings. If the results reflect current dates, that can indicate that the site is well-maintained.
Try to always be "Net-wise." The Internet is an open communication channel where "good" and "bad" co-exist. It is important to exercise critical thinking skills and evaluate job sites carefully. The following considerations may help you select the best sites to meet your needs:
Confidentiality
Most reputable sites post their privacy policy. Always read the policy before you register with the site so that you have a clear understanding of how the site may use personal information.
Internet spam
It's becoming a common practice for sites to embed advertisements. However, don't buy into commercial products just to gain use of a job site. When you provide your e-mail address anywhere on the Internet, it is possible that it will result in junk e-mail messages or spam.
Security
When you submit personal information online, refrain from providing critical personal data, such as your social security number or credit card number, whenever you can. When you have to provide such information, make sure your computer is compliant with standard security configurations, such as encryption and digital certificates.