Using the internet to conduct your job search is now a common practice. But you may not be familiar with all of the tools that are available, or you may not feel comfortable with the idea of replacing in-person interactions with virtual or remote ones.
Conducting an online job search can be a fast, effective, and even fun way of finding your next job. Here are 5 tips to make the most of your online job search.
For more information on how we can help with any job search, contact us today.
Work on your resume
The basics of applying for a job remain the same whether done online or in person. Your resume needs to be well-written, polished and relevant to attract the attention of the hiring manager. If you’re applying for jobs–in-person or online–reviewing your resume is always a good place to start.
Before you start sending out your resume to employers, make sure it presents the best picture of your skills and experience as possible. Take time to look over your resume, make updates and be sure to correct any spelling or grammatical mistakes.
And if you don’t currently have a resume, or want some help improving the one you have, sign up for a free online Resume Building workshop in the Learning Centre.
Set up social networking profiles
According to Glassdoor.com, 79% of job applicants use social media in their job search If you aren’t already using this tool, online social networking is a powerful way to make connections with other professionals, conduct research on potential employers, and get a better sense of what opportunities are out there.
While any form of online social networking can be helpful, for professional social networking, LinkedIn is your best option. LinkedIn is a social media platform dedicated to connecting professionals. On LinkedIn you’ll be able to research companies, find job opportunities, view profiles of other professionals, and work on building your own profile that hiring managers can view and even find through a candidate search.
If you don’t have a LinkedIn account or just want to step up your professional social networking game, sign up for a free online LinkedIn workshops in the Learning Centre.
Do your research
Once you’re set up on professional social media profiles, you can start conducting some research. You’ll be able to see what opportunities are available in your area and learn more about the companies that are offering them. Getting a better sense of what is out there is a key step to finding the right job for you.
Just remember, when doing research, to consider the source. On many social networking sites, companies and individuals control the messaging on their profiles–so chances are if there are problems you’d want to know about, you won’t find them there. Make sure to look at multiple sources, like review websites that companies don’t have control over.
For more information on resources that can help you connect and research companies, visit our Online Resources page, or contact us today.
Upskill
As you start looking at other professional profiles, you might get discouraged when you see the various credentials and achievements your competition has accumulated. Try not to get discouraged, but rather use this as an opportunity to enhance your own profile and even identify ways to get an edge over the competition. Consider achievements you’ve had that you may not have thought to highlight previously or notable projects you’ve worked on. Identify any skills or credentials that you might be lacking and could help you stand out to an employer.
If you want to improve your own profile, consider signing up for online courses to improve your skills and acquire more credentials. LinkedIn Learning is a platform within LinkedIn that offers thousands of online tutorials and courses to help you learn new skills and improve ones that you already have. Whatever your professional goals are, there are online tools to help you get closer to them.
LinkedIn Learning is a subscription service, but VPI program participants qualify for free access. To find out if you qualify, contact us today.
Get comfortable with online tools
Many employers will have their entire application process online. Whether it’s online application submissions or teleconferenced job interviews, getting comfortable with the processes and tools you’ll be using is important for feeling confident about your chances of success.
If you’ve never used popular programs like Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom, the idea of using technology to participate in a job interview can be intimidating. Before you get to the stage where you’re scheduling job interviews, take some time to download one or two of the more common teleconferencing applications and take it for a test drive. Take a look at the features and try giving a friend a call.
Though it may not seem like it at first, all of these platforms are designed to be as user-friendly as possible. There is a learning curve, but once you get used to them, these applications will seem as straight forward as using the phone.