Accountant and Bookkeeper Articles

8 Tips in Using the Internet to Find Your Next Job

The Internet is a great technology that can enhance your job search. Unfortunately, most individuals who use the Internet in the job search don’t use it effectively. So if you’re going to join the eHunt, it’s important that you use this resource wisely; otherwise, you’re wasting your time. The following are four of eight tips on making the most of your electronic search for the perfect job:

1. Don’t put all your eggs in one Internet.
While the Internet is a great resource, you should vary your approach, mixing it up with traditional approaches as well. In an article written by Joshua Partlow entitled “Online Obstacles: It takes more to land a new job than the Internet,” Partlow explains that “for the modern-day job hunter, the Internet can be invaluable for locating job leads and submitting resumes with minimal effort. But its seductive ease has its drawbacks. Searching for work on corporate Web sites can often be intimidating and impersonal. Many times, resumes disappear into the void.” The article suggests using multiple avenues in your job search in order to balance your efforts.

2. Look at specialty sites to find jobs specific to your industry.
There are many job banks like monster.com, America’s Job Bank, and careerbuilder.com that allow you to post your resume and search their listings for jobs anywhere in the country. Usually membership is free and after joining a job bank service, some will notify you when a job description matching your interests is posted. Often these more popular job banks are saturated with applicants and unsuitable jobs. Consider job banks that are specifically designed for accounting and bookkeeping professionals (see http://www.jobsinthemoney.com/).

3. Protect your privacy.
Posting your contact information online along with your education and job history makes you an easy target for identity theft. It also makes it a snap for your current employer to discover that you’re searching for another job. While suppressing this information may make you more difficult to reach, it could save you lots of trouble later. If you’re interested in protecting your privacy consider using an anonymous email address for your Internet searches. This will protect your identity while making your accessible.

4. Customize your resume and cover letters.
Some job seekers believe the more they blanket the market with their resume, the more likely they’ll get a job. That couldn’t be further from the truth. When you send a generic resume and cover letter to a batch of potential employers what you’re really sending is the wrong message. You appear sloppy, eager, and inattentive to details. Most employers can recognize a mass email when they see it. In order to really get their attention you must customize your resume and cover letter so it speaks to their qualifications and needs. While it may require more time and effort, it will pay off in the end, making you a more appealing applicant.

It’s important to use all the resources available in your job hunt, and the Internet is definitely a valuable resource. But as you move forward, it’s important that you do so wisely, using your time well as you attempt to secure interviews. Come back next week when we will discuss the final four tips:

5. Avoid applying for jobs if you don’t have the minimum qualifications.
6. Provide more than one means of contact.
7. Ensure any website you reference is professional.
8. Remember, the Internet is not magic.