Anonymous writes:
Can you tell me how I am supposed to find job leads on the Internet? I am so frustrated right now about finding a job. Call me dazed and confused over this whole thing.
The Career Doctor responds:
For most job-seekers, the Internet is just one of several tools you should be using to find a new job. The Internet — all the vast number of job sites — offers no guarantee of finding that perfect job. And many job-seekers spend way too much time searching online than performing other activities that are much more likely to lead to job leads and job interviews.
Let’s start with the Internet. The best way to use this tool is for research. Yes, it probably makes sense to post your resume on one or two of the major job boards, including our own Quintessential Careers Job Portal, as well as a few of the niche sites (industry-specific or location-specific). It makes more sense to go to the career centers of major companies and conduct research there (as well as apply to jobs that interest you). Job-seekers can find a wealth of information about organizations by spending a little time online. For more information, read my article, Step-by-Step Guide to Researching Companies.
Your most valuable tool of job-hunting, however, is still networking. Of course, you can network both online and in person. Think of career networking as relationship building. All you are doing when networking is making connections with people; you are NOT asking people for jobs. Instead, you make connections and share information. When you are actually job-hunting, some of the information shared will be job leads. Network with your family, friends, former co-workers and bosses, and alumni and former professors. You can also network with larger groups of people in community and religious organizations, with professional groups and associations, and at social events. There are also numerous social networking Internet sites. For more information, check out these Key Career Networking Resources for Job-Seekers, available on Quintessential Careers.
Finally, let’s not forget the old school, but still very viable, direct contact method where you identify a set of employers, research their needs and obtain the name and title of their hiring managers (not HR), and send them a directed cover letter and resume.
Read more in my article published on Quintessential Careers, 10 Ways to Develop Job Leads.
