Seeking Employment on The Web @ Real Work Real Pay
Job hunters chase many different kinds of game, but there's one trophy prey that all hope to eventually bag: a career.
The Web can help in this safari by giving hunters a new frontier and better weapons to get the career they want. The Web offers employment information through company web sites; easy ways of finding employment through searchable databases, e-mail notifications and areas to post resumes; and sensible career-searching advice and interviewing tips.
Hunting the Right Approach
However, career seekers need to be aware of how the Internet hunting grounds differ from traditional job hunt. Online resumes and cover letters are delivered by a text or word documents, which can wipe out the fancy formatting resume writers use to catch an employer's eye.
Furthermore, only a few years ago, the common resume advice was to stress action verbs such as "initiated" and "implemented." Now, searchable nouns are preferred because online employment data is inputted into database that employers search through using keywords describing specific skills and titles such as network administrator, CPA,and office manager. Employers weed out resumes that don't match those keywords before they ever see the action verbs or detailed experience included elsewhere.
Resume Builders
Many career search sites have resume advice, which is handy for those unsure about how to format a resume or what information to include. Some job search sites take the guesswork out of resumes by offering a specific format that all searchers must follow. However, this can be frustrating when a different form has to be filled out at each site. Fortunately, some sites allow the text of an existing resume to be pasted into the form.
Perhaps you're nervous that you might post a resume at one of these sites, only to find out that your current boss has run across it online. Not to worry: Most sites allow the resume poster to remain anonymous, or be selective with who sees it.
Online job sites do not overlook the importance of a good cover letter. Some sites pop up a box for the cover letter when the applicant clicks the "submit" button. Others include space for a cover letter in the posted resume.
Seeking Employment on The Web (Part 1)
Searching Corporate America (Part 2)
Bagging Your Limit (Part 3)