Online Job Search

Today, most job seekers take advantage of the benefits of conducting their job search online. The primary resources available online can include resume distribution services, classifieds, employment Websites, and company Websites; these are described below:

Job / Employment Websites

Perhaps the most common online job search strategy utilizes job sites. By posting resumes on job sites, job seekers are able to attract numerous employers and recruiters actively searching for candidates to fill an opening. Furthermore, these sites allow one to search for and apply to job postings, often with the click of a button.

Keep in mind that you may wish to carefully review a site's confidentiality options if you prefer your job search remain confidential. (Often these sites provide options for managing confidentiality when posting.)

These job sites are often characterized by one (or more) of the following focus areas:

National or Global: These are the major national online job sites representing tens of thousands of positions in a wide variety of occupations and industries.
Verticals: These sites are focused on specific industries or markets such as Human Services, Accounting and Finance, Information Technologies, Science and Engineering, Legal, Health and Medicine, etc.
International: These sites represent job openings in other countries. Some of the positions may require proficiency in languages other than English.
Government: These are job sites for local, state, or Federal employment. Often there are special application requirements for government positions, and these are detailed in the posting, as well.

Online Classifieds

Many employers post their openings in online classifieds, which enables job seekers to respond directly by sending resumes via email. This can be a great tool for narrowing your job search by region. Additionally, some job seekers will post their resume at classified sites such as Craigslist, which is a form of passive job searching. It is important to note, however, that many classified sites have no method of protecting privacy or confidentiality.

Company Web Sites

As the technology becomes more affordable, more and more companies are launching their own Websites where they will also post vacancies, provide application forms and information, and accept online applications. Keep in mind that many of the online application systems that employers use only accept plain text (ASCII) documents.

Company Databases

Company databases are useful for gathering in-depth information about specific companies, especially the company's products and market.

Through a combination of active and passive job searching, you will find these avenues a great help as you search for a new opportunity.