Stand out so a future employer can find you

Employers don’t just use the major job sites to find employees they also use candidate sourcing programs such as Notchup and Airs Sourcepoint which searches not only for active, aggressive job seekers but passive ones as well. So it is important that your website or online resume has the information that they are looking for.

• Use any of the keyword searchers available to find main keywords in your particular field.
• Build profiles on sites such as LinkIn where a candidate sourcing program can make a connection between you and an employer.
• Do a google search on yourself to see if there is anything out there that might be damaging to you. If you have any information on a social network make sure it isn’t inappropriate.
• Continue to update your resume. Some job search engines seek out the newest information online.

Search Word tips for online job searches

When searching for work online it is important to use the correct keywords in the search engine.

• Use a specific keyword that will narrow your search. Not too specific. The word ‘jobs’ by it wouldn’t be helpful.
• Excluding words will also help narrow your search. You don’t want to go through page after page of irrelevant listings.
• Use quotation marks around an exact phrase. This will indicate to the search engine not to look for each individual word.
• Set up a feed that will direct search results to your email account. Google has a good reader that allows you to set up alerts.
• Put the most important words first in any search.
• Use aggregate websites that utilize many search engines.

The Pluses and Minuses of working at home

There are definitely pluses in working from home but there are also things to consider before starting.

Pluses:

• You will be your own boss, in charge of how you work.
• No daily commute which will save you lots of money and wear and tear on the car. No more worries about how the traffic is.
• Your wardrobe isn’t important at home because no one will see you. This could be a big money saver for some people.
• If you have to run an errand you can do it without worrying about getting into trouble.

Now the minuses (You’ll find that some of the minuses are related in a way to the pluses):

• You will be at home all day. The only interaction that you will have is probably on the phone, no face to face. Some people are okay with that and some aren’t. If you don’t mind the quiet and lack of social interaction then it wouldn’t be a problem.
• Can you stay focused on day on your job? You are at home and there isn’t a boss lurching around so it is up to you not to goof off. If you need a lot of direction working at home might not be for you.
• Will your family interfere with your job? Make sure that the rest of the family knows that even though you are at home, you are there to work.
• There aren’t as many opportunities available to people working from home. And the pay isn’t that great.

Increase your chances while searching online for a job

There are ways to increase your chances of getting a job online. Here are just a few basic ones.

• Before looking online narrow your search to just a few areas that you are interested in. This will help you save time and remain focused.
• Use social networking sites to find connections that might lead to a job. One of the leading sites is LinkIn.
• Set up a schedule and keep to it. It is easy to get off track when surfing the internet.
• You might want to check out the local library’s computers. They could have information readily at hand to help with your job search.
• Participate in discussion groups online that pertain to job searches.
• Consider blogging as a way to get your name out there on the internet. Make sure the blog is about your professional life not what you like to do in your spare time.
  

Online Job Search News, April 3rd

Bad news about online jobs…
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_12051297

finding part time jobs online at Craigslist might be the way to go
http://blog.marketplace.nwsource.com/careercenter/finding_a_mix_of_short-term_gigs_online_is_a_way_to_make_ends_meet.html?cmpid=2627

a man in Columbia S.C. tries to better himself by taking online courses
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/03/business/03jobless.html?hpw

Microsoft and Monster joined together to form the Job Seeker Career Center
http://blogs.zdnet.com/igeneration/?p=1366