Searching for jobs online can be convenient and efficient if done correctly or frustrating and time-consuming if done incorrectly. While you may see thousands of job listings right at your fingertips, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and waste opportunities if you’re applying carelessly or using standard website settings. Adjusting to this new job-search process may seem confusing, but it isn’t impossible.
The job search has changed from printed resumes and pounding the pavement to online job boards and one-click applications. Here are some do’s and don’ts for job-searching online.
Do take advantage of narrowing search results
While you may want to find a job in sales, you may not be interested in scrolling through 100,000-plus search results. To avoid this headache, use advanced searches and narrow down search results. Most sites allow you to receive more specific results using certain criteria, such as:
- Job-posted date
- Company
- City or state
- Categories for a specific functional area such as “management” or “entry level”
- Salary
- Employment type, for specific jobs by schedule, such as “intern,” “full-time” or “part-time”
- Exclude: This is where you can remove jobs that have been posted nationally or regionally, jobs without salary information included or any nontraditional jobs.