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  You've decided to take your job hunt online. There are plenty of sites offering job listings and career information to help you along. Now, all you need to do is prepare your resume, pick a site on which to post your profile and wait for the offers to start rolling in. Not so fast — there are several things to consider before putting your resume on the Web. Cyber-Safe Resumes Your resume is the first impression you give to employers — make it a good one. It's the foundation of your job hunt so it's worth the extra attention. If your resume needs a little help, you can get some advice from the Career Tools section of Yahoo! HotJobs. While you perfect your resume, take a few steps to make it cyber safe. Resumes contain a lot of personal information, which makes you vulnerable to identity theft and increases the odds that your current employer will find out about your job hunt. Protect your identity and your current job by removing the following information from your resume:
Although removing personal information makes it more difficult for employers to contact you, it could make you more desirable to some recruiters who assume you currently have a job worth protecting. Ultimately, you decide what's more important to you — privacy and security or your accessibility to potential employers. Sifting Through Job Sites Now that your resume is ready for its journey into cyberspace, it's time to sort through job-search websites. They come in all shapes and sizes and most allow you to search based on job title, job field, company and/or geographical location. Employment mega-sites like Yahoo! HotJobs, Monster and CareerBuilder.com allow you to post your resume and search for jobs in their general databases or perform more specific searches. You can also sign up to receive email updates about new job postings and industry news. If you prefer to start with a more job-specific site, you're in luck. From technology to photography, there seems to be a job site for everyone. Talent Zoo Advertising, marketing, public relations and media positions Coroflot Online portfolio hosting and creative industry job search Guru Freelance creative, IT, business consulting and administrative talent Business.com Business directory and job search Dice Technology positions Academic360.com Academic positions including faculty, staff and administration SnagAJob.com All kinds of part-time and full-time hourly positions
Evaluating Job Sites Choosing which job site to use is a big decision. Here are some questions to ask when you visit a site:
Networking Networking is a great way to get insider information that could give your job hunt an edge. This, too, can be done online. ZoomInfo allows you to reconnect with friends and former colleagues. ZoomInfo searches public websites to compile its information so your search won't be limited to people who have registered on the site. Once you find who you're looking for, you can send them a message directly from the site. Use your network to learn more about a company's culture, the kind of people who have held the position you're applying for and any changes the company is facing. Then you can tailor your resume and cover letter to what the employer wants. Answering the Tough Questions Interviewing can be a stressful experience, but preparation can help ease your anxiety. If you want to show an employer you're serious about the job, do your homework. In addition to newspapers or business journals, try the Internet. Corporate websites are a good place to start and often list job openings. You can find these along with press releases and other media coverage online by using a standard search engine. Check out the company research articles on About.com or for more tips for successful interviews, visit the Career Tools section of Yahoo! HotJobs. On the Road for Interviews When an employer in a different city requests an interview, go online to make the most out of your trip. Don't stay cooped up in your hotel room — learn what the area has to offer and enjoy your stay. Citysearch and OnlineCityGuide.com offer guides to plenty of local dining, entertainment and attractions to keep you busy.
Thank You Notes Now that you've aced the interview, a thank you is in order. When you ask for your interviewer's business card, it should contain an email address. It is typically acceptable to send a thank you note via email. You never know how quickly the employer wants to fill the position, so the sooner your thank you is in the interviewer's hands the better. Be sure to check spelling, punctuation and grammar before you hit send and don't write too casually. Although a thank you email is acceptable, it shouldn't completely replace a traditional note in the mail. Send a handwritten or typed thank you within a few days of your interview. It's a good follow-up to your email and will remind the employer that you want the job. For help writing your thank you note, visit the How-to Guides section of Jumpstart Your Job Search. Crunching Numbers Salary negotiation can be a tricky process. Luckily, there are tools available on the Internet to guide you through these sometimes-murky waters. Salary.com offers the Salary Wizard® that allows you to search for salary ranges for specific job titles in different cities. If you're relocating for your new job, you need to factor in any change in your cost of living. The Cost-of-Living Wizard on Salary.com allows you to do just that. These tools will make it easier for you to request the salary you deserve. To learn more about salary negotiation, visit the salary information section of JobStar. Go Get 'Em Whether you're looking for your first job or you're a seasoned pro, the Internet offers countless tools and resources for your job hunt. With a little planning and research you'll be ready to conquer the online job search. Now go out there and find your dream job! Information or reference to any third-party products/services or third-party websites is provided as a convenience for our up2speed® newsletter subscribers. SBC companies assume no responsibility for, and do not endorse, any of these third-party products/services/websites. All questions pertaining to these products/services/websites should be directed to the third-party vendor. |
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