How To Search For a Job Online - Qualified Place

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How To Search For a Job Online ?
Qualified Place
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INTRODUCTION
Are you one of the many people who made a new
year resolution to search for a job online? The
beginning of a new year is an ideal time to start
looking for your next career move because many
recruiters prefer not to post vacancies during
December in the busy run up to Christmas, meaning
that January sees a higher number of
opportunities. However, searching for a job
online has plenty of challenges because, unlike
looking through the vacancy pages of a newspaper,
the internet is infinite. Try to think of it as a
marathon rather than a sprint. Good Luck!
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PLAN BEFORE YOU START

• To find a job online, list the different tasks
  you will have to complete search for a job to
  apply for, prepare your answers, complete online
  application forms, sign up to job alerts, post
  your CV to job search sites and online
  recruitment agencies.
• Make a timetable and give each element on your
  list an allocated time e.g job search Monday
  Thursday, volunteering on Fridays.
• Think about when you work best (are you a morning
  person or more creative late at night?) and
  reserve that time of day for deciding how to sell
  yourself and crafting your answers to any tricky
  online application questions, because these tasks
  need maximum care and attention.

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ASSESS WHICH ARE THE BEST JOB SEARCH SITES

• There are hundreds of job search sites out there
  and it is easy to waste valuable time browsing
  endlessly before actually getting started on your
  job search.
• Consider the following
• Is the site free or do you need to pay for a
  subscription or extras?
• Is there an option to sell yourself through a
  profile or to post your CV?
• Does the site offer extra services such as a CV
  audit or cover letter review?
• Is it easy to use? If you havent found your way
  around in the first few minutes, move on.

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GETTING THE MOST OUT OF A JOB SEARCH SITE

• The key is to think about what you want to get
  out of the site.
• General job sites If you are looking for a
  career change, you want to generate ideas or to
  understand more about the current labor market
  then general job sites are a good place to start
  here at www.qualifiedplace.com.
• Sector specific sites If you want to work within
  a particular sector then these job search sites
  are useful.
• Freelance sites If you are, or want to become,
  freelance then seek out freelance specific sites
  where you can sign up, create a profile and offer
  your skills for an hourly or a fixed rate.

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ONLINE JOB SEARCH THROUGH TRADE/SECTOR BODIES

• For those in a particular trade, your sector
  institute/trade body will be invaluable during
  your time of job searching because they can open
  up a new and partially exclusive network
• If you are not already a member and cost is a
  factor, contact them to discuss options. During
  the pandemic, many bodies reduced their joining
  fees and offered flexible payment plans.
• Sector bodies often host their own "job boards
  and you can sign up to their email newsletters
  too.
• Some can also put you in touch with mentors who
  can help with career development.

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USING ONLINE RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

• Research online recruitment agencies and sign up
  with a handful.
• Some agencies are sector specialists so explore
  those first.
• Consider whether you prefer a big agency with
  lots of vacancies or a small agency that gets to
  know you.
• Sign up for their job alerts as this can save you
  a lot of time searching online.
• As you start contacting agencies you will get a
  feel for which are your type. It is a bit like
  dating so dont give up if the first ones you
  contact dont get back to you.

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ONLINE NETWORKING EVENTS

• COVID-19 has meant that many networking events
  have moved online. Although these have their own
  challenges it does mean you can attend events
  hosted by organisations across the country and
  the world.
• Seek out events that suit you do you prefer a
  large event with the opportunity to break into
  small groups or a medium sized event with a panel
  of speakers followed by QA?
• If you find networking events in person
  exhausting or stressful than an online event
  might open new doors you can dip in and out
  more easily and there is no need to travel.
• Go local online regional networking has
  flourished during the pandemic and with many
  people home working there has been a new interest
  in the value of local connections.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

• If you know you are at risk of redundancy, or are
  already out of work, be proactive in updating
  your social media and reach out to new
  connections.
• Are you already connected to colleagues in your
  existing/previous employer? Many jobs still get
  filled without being advertised but through the
  digital equivalent of "word of mouth.
• Consider writing a social media post explaining
  briefly about your situation and the skills you
  can offer, and ask your network to share it more
  widely. Remember, due to COVID-19 many more
  people are facing redundancy than ever before in
  our recent history and whilst this means that
  there are more people competing for each job.

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ONLINE VOLUNTEERING

• This is a way to build your network if you are
  unemployed, at risk of redundancy or planning a
  career change. It can be difficult to justify
  taking time out to volunteer when you feel you
  should be spending every moment job seeking but
  think of your volunteering as part of your job
  search you are developing skills and expanding
  your network.
• Since COVID-19 many organizations have switched
  to offer volunteer from home roles which are
  helpful if you have caring responsibilities or
  find it difficult/expensive to travel.
• Volunteering boosts your mental health and gives
  you something positive to talk about in your next
  interview.

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