Internet job search strategies

INTERNET JOB

SEARCH STRATEGIES

Georgia Department of Labor

Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner

The Internet is a global electronic community - a network of networks. Nearly everything found in a real community can be found in cyberspace. There are businesses, social organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and individual residences. Every idea, ideology and interest is represented. For every major job search strategy, there is a cyberspace counterpart. The Internet is a virtual goldmine of employment resources that will only get better in the future.
The Internet is a tool, and like all tools, it is only as good as the skill of the user. Learning to use the Internet productively takes time and effort. Many new users become overwhelmed. One frustration is that the Internet is huge and there is no single manual or help desk. Another is that it is constantly changing. What's there today may be gone, moved or changed tomorrow.
It is said that patience is a virtue - on the Internet, it is a necessity! A dedication to continuous learning is a must. For those who master this tool, the rewards are greater. The Internet will open up a whole new world of opportunities.
Cyber Rsums
Once you have mastered the paper rsum, you can add plain text and hypertext rsums to your resources. There are numerous opportunities to present your rsum to potential employers. You can post your rsum on news groups or in rsum databases. You can send your rsum direct through e-mail. You can even set up a professional website using your rsum information.
Plain Text Rsums E-mail, news groups and most rsum databases require
your rsum to be in a basic text format. Plain text rsums have the advantage of being read by most computer programs. The major disadvantage is the loss of fancy formatting. The content of the rsum should follow the same standards as a paper rsum. Many plain text rsums will be managed in a database so special attention should be given to keywords.

Hypertext Rsums Hypertext rsums take advantage of the features of the
World Wide Web. They may include graphics, video, sound, hypertext links and direct e-mail. Some sites that post rsums require them to be formatted in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).
Many progressive job seekers are creating professional websites which include their rsum information. A good professional website should follow the publishing standards of the World Wide Web and most of the standards of good rsum writing. However, a website should be more than just an on-line rsum. There are numerous resources on the Internet, in bookstores and in libraries to help in this effort.
Electronic Networking
Would you like to network with professionals in your industry, from all over the world, without traveling great distances to attend expensive conferences? Looking for another way to make direct contact with potential employers? In cyberspace you can! The Internet is a networker's paradise.
Electronic networking uses three basic Internet tools news groups, e-mail and live chat. To master these tools requires specialized communication skills. To be successful in this media requires preparation and practice. Many of the standards that apply to good telephone communication apply to the Internet.
Labor Market and Employer Research
The Internet originated as a research tool, so there should be no surprise that it offers incredible resources for employment research. There are volumes of labor market and employer information. Many employers post information about themselves on the Internet. Internet research requires a mastery of search tools and strategies.
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DOL-4421 (R-01/01)

Advertised Jobs
There are too many advertised jobs on the Internet to even begin to count. More and more employers are listing job openings on their web pages, in news groups and with Internet employment service providers.
Employment Services
There are hundreds of businesses specializing in providing employment services. Some are merely advertisements, but many provide services directly online. These services include career counseling, rsum writing, placement assistance and job matching. Some sites match job seekers with employers directly online.
America's Job Bank
America's Job Bank (AJB - www.ajb.org) is the largest national database of job openings along with an electronic rsum system. This system allows you to search for jobs

from preselected job titles, keywords or special codes. Hundreds of new jobs are posted every day, so be sure to check back often.
Employers and private employment agencies can access rsums and view your qualifications in relationship to their job openings. If interested, employers will contact you directly. This service will expose your qualifications to a large audience of potential employers.
There are step-by-step instructions for easy use of the system. You have the personal control of updating or moving your rsum. Your rsum will be done in an attractive and standardized format. There will also be other links to job-related websites for career and job search information, and other local services and information. There is no charge for this service. If you do not have Internet access, you can visit your local public library, school, university, or local Workforce Services Employment Center.

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