Smart Tips for Using Job Search Websites
Question:
I've been searching for jobs on several job websites and feel a bit overwhelmed. I get requests for interviews but most of them are for things that I'm not interested in. I wanted to know if there are any other tips that would help me when I use these job search sites?
Answer:
Using a job search website is the most common way job seekers look for and apply to jobs, but not necessarily the most effective way. The number one method is still networking even though we live in a digital world. While signing on to several job websites is relatively "simple" it can quickly get overwhelming and disappointing when you feel like you've applied to everything out there with no response. I don't believe there is necessarily a wrong way to use job search sites, but here are some useful tips that might improve your online job search outcomes.
Know Where to Shop
There are dozens of job search websites to choose from and many people sign up for all of them. That's an acceptable method if you just want a job, but if you're looking for a career, then you want to choose job websites that match your work history and educational background. Did you know that CareerBuilder and Robert Half post more higher-level job postings, while most low-skill jobs are posted on Indeed and Glassdoor? If you are looking for a job that matches you with a particular job salary by the hour, then Snagajob might be the best fit for you. That's not to say that higher-level jobs or hourly salary information aren't posted on the other websites, but depending on your work history, educational background, and desired salary, it might be more advantageous to invest your time in the right job sites for you.
Additionally, you might want to investigate niche job boards or websites if you have specific skills. For instance, DICE is a good website for IT and individuals with a technical background, and LinkedIn is a good website for individuals with an engineering and IT background and/or higher-skilled job roles. Individuals with not-for-profit backgrounds (or those who would like to work for non-profit employers) can try to search on Idealist and The Foundation List for related opportunities.
Be Smart
Signing up for more than 3 job websites might hurt you, not help you, because you can get swamped with various job alerts or spam, so choose wisely. Choosing different job websites can vary the positions that are sent to you and reduce duplicate job postings. It doesn’t hurt to look at other job websites that you don’t sign up for, because if you know the company that posted the position, you might be able to apply directly on their website.
Protect Yourself
It's not a coincidence that once you sign up for a job search website you start to experience an increase in spam messages. That's because some job search websites sell your information to third parties. This type of clutter distracts you from jobs that you might be interested in because they’ll get buried under other job alerts or junk ads. I highly encourage you to create an additional email address just for your job search as a way to separate your job search emails from your personal messages. As a bonus tip, if you have a Gmail account, you might want to create a Google number using Google Voice. By creating a separate phone number, you lessen the risk of spam, scam calls from fraudulent job postings, and limit your personal information that is being shared with third parties. You can always set up your Google Voice to forward calls to your regular phone or email, and the best thing is...it's free!
Hope these tips have been helpful as you continue to explore and navigate job search websites.