A lot of people in the U.S. are looking for jobs. According to the 2022 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey, 44 percent of currently employed people are among those who are seeking other employment, either in the same field or as a career change. Anyone looking for a new or better job should consider looking online. It’s one of the best places to find open positions, and it’s an excellent resource for researching companies and industries. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Start with the Major Job Boards
There are many online job boards, but some are better than others. The best ones to start with are Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor. They have the largest databases of open positions. You can also use job boards to research companies and industries.
The best way to use job boards is to search for jobs by keyword, location, company, industry, and other criteria such as job type (full-time, part-time, etc.), and then save your searches. You’ll get email alerts whenever a new job that meets your criteria is posted.
Do not forget to research every company before you send in your application. Look for reviews from former employees. There will always be reviews by disgruntled employees who have an ax to grind, so look at the bigger picture. Compare the number of positive and negative reviews. Look for trends.
Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find a company you’re interested in, go to their website and look for a careers page.
Many companies post their open positions on their own websites instead of (or in addition to) job boards. And when you apply directly, your application will go straight to the hiring manager instead of getting lost in the shuffle.
The advantage of looking for a job opportunity on a company website is that you can immediately check out the company’s culture based on its profile and pages. You can dig deeper to see what the company stands for, its core values, and how it presents itself concerning its employees. You can immediately identify a company that takes pride in its people.
Suppose you’re interested in a company but don’t see any job openings that match your skills. In that case, you can always reach out to the HR department and express your interest.
Look for Recruiters on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is not just a job board; it’s also a powerful networking tool and an excellent way to connect with recruiters. You can use it to communicate with people who work at companies you’re interested in and find out about job openings that haven’t been publicly posted.
Recruiters are always looking for talented candidates, so they may reach out to you directly if you have the right skills. Go to LinkedIn and search for “recruiter” in the search bar to find recruiters. Then narrow down your results by location and industry.
You can also check out job postings to see if any recruiters are listed as the point of contact. Finally, you can set up job alerts so you’ll be notified when new positions are posted.
Consider Niche Job Boards
In addition to the major job boards, there are also many niche ones. These cater to specific industries, professions, or types of jobs. For example, there are job boards for tech jobs, healthcare jobs, remote jobs, and freelance gigs.
Niche job boards can be a great way to find positions that you might not find on the major job boards. And because they’re smaller, they generally have fewer applications, so your chances of getting an interview are higher.
Network, Network, Network
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. That’s especially true when it comes to finding a job. Networking is the best way to find out about unposted jobs and get your foot in the door.
Reach out to friends, family, and acquaintances who work in your desired field or company, and let them know you’re looking for a job. Attend industry events and meetups, and join professional organizations. The more people you know, the better your chances of finding a great job.
Use Social Media
Social media is a great way to connect with potential employers and research companies. LinkedIn is the most obvious choice, but Twitter and Facebook can also be helpful. Follow companies you’re interested in and see if they post any job openings.
Before you start applying for positions, though, whether through social media or on company websites, clean up your social media accounts first. Results of a 2020 survey showed that 71 percent of company decision-makers in the U.S. deemed applicants’ social media profiles to be effective for screening. A higher 78 percent said current employees should keep their social media profiles work-appropriate.
If you have any posts that may have been a mistake or were done impulsively and will reflect poorly on you, delete them. That includes inappropriate photos and anything that may be deemed offensive.
Henceforth, be very careful with what you post online. It would be better if you have a professional account on LinkedIn that serves as your resume online. Keep it updated with all your accomplishments. The rest of your social media accounts must be set to private. Even then, keep them clean.
These are just a few of the best practices for finding a career online. By following these tips, you’ll increase your chances of anding the perfect job.
