Online Job Searches: Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
by Ross Macpherson, President, Career Quest
The Internet has forever changed the landscape of the job search process. Technology has now made it possible to search for any type of job, in any industry, in virtually any part of the world, all from the comfort of your home PC. However, with all this convenience and unlimited access come a few cautions about putting too much emphasis online.
If we take a quick look at the pros and cons of job hunting on the Internet, you'll see that the secret to a successful job search strategy still lies in a balanced approach - the Internet being just one of many techniques you should employ.
The Upside to an Online Search:
- online job boards like Monster and Workopolis offer advanced search capabilities to find your target jobs quickly
- most job boards offer Personal Agents (also called Job Agents) that will automatically email job openings to you that match your criteria
- you can post your resume in resume banks and let recruiters and employers come to you
- job postings often contain links to company websites, which makes it easier for you to research the company, and even see what other positions they are currently offering
- it's convenient, it's easy, and can be entirely anonymous
The Downside to an Online Search:
- between 75-85% of active job seekers use the Internet as their #1 job search tool - the competition, therefore, is extremely fierce
- with over 3000 job posting sites online, it can be difficult finding the BEST resource for your specific career needs (the biggest sites aren't necessarily for everyone)
- with literally millions of job seekers online all accessing the same jobs, it is not uncommon for an employer to receive 500+ resumes within 24 hours of posting a job online - that's your competition after just the first day!
- despite the millions of jobs posted online, and the millions of people who spend more than 75% of their time applying for them, less than 25% of available jobs are actually filled through online job sites (what's number one? You guessed it...it's still networking!)
So What's the Answer?
Do you use the Internet in your job search? Absolutely. Should you be spending 75% of your time searching for only 25% of available jobs? Probably not. The answer, again, is to diversify your approach.
Broaden your horizons, expand your search, and utilize a variety fo resources to ensure that you are accessing as many relevant openings as possible.
By all means, take full advantage of the online resources and technologies available, seek out the many smaller, industry-specific job boards, and check company websites for new openings.
However, try not to fall prey to the temptation to put all your eggs in the Internet basket. It's only one tool at your disposal.
© 2002 Ross Macpherson
About the Author
Ross Macpherson is the President of Career Quest, a Certified Professional Resume Writer, and a Career Success Coach who has helped thousands of motivated professionals advance their careers. To receive more valuable career advice, sign up to join his monthly newsletter "Career Quest Café" by visiting www.yourcareerquest.com.
NOTE: You're more than welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains intact and unaltered (including the "About the Author" info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to ross@yourcareerquest.com
