Job Hunting In The Age Of Social Networks And Online Applications: 5 Tips
1. Perfect Your Resume
The first step in any job search is to create a solid resume. Focus on specific achievements in your previous employment experience, and do not pad your resume with vague skill descriptions that say little about your actual talents. Also, be sure to check spelling and grammar thoroughly; typos can quickly overshadow even the most stellar resume and cause you to appear careless to a potential employer. You may want to consider enlisting the help of a resume writing service such as AAA McKinstry (http://www.resumeserviceorangecounty.com/) to assist you in polishing your resume to perfection.
2. Custom Tailoring
Once you have constructed a generic resume template, use it as a starting point and then customize it for each potential employer. Be sure to emphasize your particular skills and experience as they relate to the job for which you are applying. You may also want to put together a cover letter tailored to each company as well, as many employers request this in their online job listings.
3. Maximize Your Opportunities
Visit job search websites such as CareerBuilder, Monster and Craigslist on a regular basis to keep abreast of potential employment opportunities. Companies post thousands of job listings on these sites daily, so it is important to get in the habit of checking these boards often in order to jump on any relevant opportunities as soon as they appear.
4. Network, Network, Network!
While the aforementioned websites provide a good starting point for a job search, never underestimate the power of networking. With the advent of social media, this has become an easier task than ever before. Sites such as LinkedIn allow job seekers to connect with potential employers as well as communicate with others working in their chosen field, thereby extending their reach into the job market.
5. Keep In Touch
Always follow up with prospective employers to whom you’ve applied online. If you haven’t heard back from a company within two weeks, it’s possible that your resume may have gotten lost, so be sure to check in by calling or sending an e-mail to the person responsible for hiring and confirm that your application materials were indeed received. This is also an excellent opportunity to reaffirm your interest in the job.
Job hunting in the digital age need not be a difficult endeavor; in fact, you may find that searching for a job using the online tools available to you nowadays is even easier than you anticipated.
