Buffalo & Erie County Public Library: Computer Training Programs

Online job-hunting is one tool in the the job-hunters arsenal
A useful tool, not all inclusive.
It's necessary to use traditional methods:
Networking among colleagues and friends
College placement office
New York State Labor Department
Employment agencies
Classified advertisement
Online job-hunting should mirror traditional methods in the networked, electronic world.
In the electronic world, it is also important to access the hidden job market by making contacts and talking to people.
Don't limit yourself to the world wide web, include mailing lists, newsgroups and electronic journals.
Online job-hunting is a skill that takes time to learn.
It is not a quick answer to the job search. It takes time before you can expect to get value from the online search. It is easy to go off on tangents and waste time unless you discipline yourself to remain focused.
"Limit your time online to 1/4 of the total time you can dedicate to your job search, unless you are a techie who is working in any area related to computer networks and programming. In that case, move it up to 1/2 of your time."
To manage your time online, use large databases before looking at smaller resources including industry or trade sites.
use a search engine that indexes and keyword searching of job listings to locate new and hidden resources specific to your occupation and field.
Shut off the computer and spend some time with family, friend and yourself. Play with your dog or scratch the cat!

Material adapted from: Margaret F. Riley (Dikel), author of the Riley Guide to Employment Opportunities and Job Resources on the Internet http://www.rileyguide.com/

Make critical judgments about Internet sources
Before you begin, note this word of warning from Richard Bolles, the author of What Color is Your Parachute on some of the job hunting and resume advice found on the Internet.

"I must admit I am stupefied at some of the superficial (and dead wrong) advice that I sometimes read online about job hunting and resumes – mostly from "experts" who seem to be a little out of touch with the job-hunt reality."

What are the advantages of online job-hunting?

You can network and communicate with people anywhere in the world
Information is timely and frequently updated
As the Internet grows, more job listings will be available
Information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Free access through the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
If you are relocating it offers wide geographic reach
Demonstrates current skills

What are the disadvantages of online job-hunting?

At this time in the Western New York area, the majority of job listings on the Internet are for technical or marketing jobs.
Information on the Internet can be volatile and sites change quickly.
Some sites can be stagnant and list jobs that have been filled.
So much material means it can take a long time to find what you want.
You cannot expect privacy or security for resumes submitted on the web. Anyone can see your resume when it is posted.
It is unlikely that employers will go to posted resumes.
Each site works differently so you must explore and learn to use each site.

What you need to know about the Hidden Job Market

The typical employer fills a vacancy:

from within with a full-time, part-time, contract or temporary employee
with a job-hunter who can demonstrate his or her work or one recommended by a trusted friend or colleague
for a higher level job from people recommended by a search firm
for a lower level job from candidates screened by an employment agency or an internal human resources office
from resumes
from answers to a newspaper ad

Because of this pattern, 80% of all jobs are never advertised, on the Internet or elsewhere.

Yet, the typical job-hunter begins with:

newspaper ads
sending out resumes
contacting an employment agency or human resource office
contacting a search firm
making contacts with friends and colleagues in the field
becoming know through a lower level job or a part-time, contract or temporary employee

Make online job hunting only one part of your job hunt.
Contact people in your field, colleagues, and friends as part of your strategy.
Pursue part-time, temporary, and contract work to demonstrate your skills and value to an employer.

Material from, Richard Nelson Bolles, The 1998 What Color is Your Parachute, Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA, 1998, HF5383 .B56 1997 available at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

With this information in mind, lets explore what the Internet has to offer for career planning and job-hunting.

TOP...