This post is about internet job search do’s and dont’s. You’ll find that whether you are doing an online job search or focusing on offline, many of the ideas here are principles that apply to your job search.
Back in the 1900’s you found a job with the help of a newspaper. I lost my job in 2006 and guess what I did? I went to look for a newspaper, to see the classified section! I wanted to compare it to what I would find online.
I only bought one, and quickly realized the small list of jobs posted there were not a fit for me. I switched over to an internet job search, as had the rest of the world. The internet job search can be quite confusing. You have job board aggregators, like Indeed, which somehow compete with regular job boards like Monster.
You have sites for salary comparison and sites to give you a peek into what it is really like to work there (like Glassdoor). You have networking sites like LinkedIn, and of course, sites to track your job search activities, like JibberJobber.
All the tools and all the advice can get quite overwhelming, which I think is why people find themselves going back to the basics. In this post I will share five do’s and five don’ts of todays internet job search.
Internet Job Search Do’s and Dont’s: Internet job search do’s
Do #1: Get your LinkedIn Profile in order
This is probably the first, and one of the easiest, things to do. I’ve done tons of LinkedIn consultations over the years and I think I’ve seen one or two where I said, “This is pretty good! You don’t really need to update anything!” Every other profile had some easy-to-fix stuff.
I want you to do this first because everything else you do in your job search, from the first networking conversation or applying to a job to the final interview, will likely circle back to your profile.
I’ve been in interview rooms (on both sides of the table) where the interviewers have a printed copy of the resume and the top of the LinkedIn profile. I created a course on updating your LinkedIn profile on Pluralsight.
Do #2: FOLLOW UP!
It’s easy to email multiple someones and apply to dozens of job postings, and then do it again and again. What’s not as easy is to follow up and show people you are actually, really, genuinely interested in whatever your first contact was about. I’ve found that I am busy. If you message me once your email (or call, or voice mail) might get lost in the next five things I’ve got to get to today.
Figure out the right amount of follow up before you move on, but I’ll tell you: one contact is usually not enough.
Do #3: Use job boards for research
Yes, yes, of course you’ll use job boards to apply for jobs. It’s so easy and enticing to apply to jobs on job boards. Of course, I want you to try to network into those companies and opportunities, too. But this point is about another use for job boards: research. Looking at job postings should give you an excellent idea of where companies are looking to invest.
Research through job boards can give you insight into industry trends, company needs, and changes in actual roles. Before you go to an interview, pull five or ten job descriptions for the title you are interviewing for and do a side-by-side comparison. That should give you a better range of vocabulary, expectations, etc. than you’ll get from one job description.
Do #4: Write better emails
A big part of an online job search is electronic correspondence. This could be emails, text, chat, etc. There are definitely things you could do to communicate better online. A few things that come to mind are, first, be timely. I’m currently communicating with a service professional who is horrible at corresponding.
When I send a message and get no reply I think “they don’t really care about my business.” As a job seeker that is definitely not the message you want to communicate.
Also, learn to be concise in your communications… say what needs to be said and edit out superfluous stuff. Have a great subject line, and make sure you have a clear call to action. I talk about all of this in my Effective Email Communication course on Pluralsight.
Do #5: Complement online with offline
I did a 100% online job search and it was a failure. There is no single silver bullet in the job search. You need to email, apply, research, network, talk to people one-on-one, follow-up, etc. Much of this can be done online but there’s no good replacement to develop a trusting relationship than phone calls and in-person meetings.
Don’t be afraid to meet and talk to others.
I know it doesn’t seem efficient but if you could get someone to actually like and trust you, which happens over various touchpoints (or, communications), you can have someone helping you in your job search, giving you referrals and introductions. That can be much more effective than applying for yet another job (and hearing nothing back). I’m guessing a 100% online job search strategy will be lonely, long, and disappointing.
Internet Job Search Do’s and Dont’s: Internet job search dont’s
Don’t #1: Don’t rely exclusively on job boards
This was easily my greatest mistake. I spent almost all of my time on job boards, looking and applying. A job board strategy has never been the #1 on any “how to find a job” list.
Job boards have a place, for sure, but they should not be the bulk of your strategy. Instead of spending more time searching on job boards, figure out who you should network with, then pick up the phone and make some calls until you get to talk to those people.
I know this is way scarier than sending emails, but being unemployed for a long time is scarier than picking up the phone.
Don’t #2: Don’t focus on just a few companies, or just one title
When I started my job search I had about three or four companies I knew I’d like to work in, and one or two job titles. It wasn’t until two or three weeks later I’d find a title that was new to me, and I was in love. I had been looking for the wrong thing the whole time. It’s hard to know what to look for if you’ve never heard of the title before, of course.
I want you to keep your eyes open as you spend time online looking at and for jobs, and have an open mind as you come across titles that you might not have thought about.
Don’t #3: Don’t believe everything you read online
I’m not talking about the news… I’m talking about jobs. If you were to look for openings at one of your target companies and see none, does that mean there are no opportunities? Most definitely not.
Maybe they don’t post jobs online. Maybe they have a few openings but are asking their team who they would recommend. Just because you don’t find something doesn’t mean you should give up.
Network into the organization, ask questions, find out what their needs are, and prepare yourself to have the best conversation with decision makers.
Don’t #4: Don’t stop, even if you hear nothing
The job search can feel lonely, and you might be anxious to hear from people who could and should help you. One of my great disappointments was learning my sense of urgency was very high while the people I talked to had a lot of other things going on. For example, I could have used a job right away, which meant today or tomorrow, while some people I talked with thought right away meant next quarter.
You need to keep working, keep trying, even if no one responds. Perhaps learn why people are not responding and change your tactics, but keep working it. You are bound to eventually talk to the right people.
Don’t #5: Don’t think you can throw all of your new skills away when you get your job
Once you land you will be tempted to stop networking, stop thinking about and working on your personal brand. I beg you to not do that. My invitation to you is to learn how to really be CEO of Me, Inc. This is your opportunity… to get serious about your relationships, your brand, your tactics, and do them even when you are employed. Help others, give to others, keep your ear to the ground, and pay attention to industry trends.
Instead of acting like a job transition is a huge surprise, embrace it. It will be easier to embrace if you have been doing the work that goes into a successful job search. But please don’t stop everything related to career management.
So there you go… your list of internet job search do’s and dont’s. These ten ideas should help you have a better internet job search!
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Remember, these internet job search do’s and dont’s are principle based, and should help you have a better job search no matter what your job search strategy is.