Here are some tips that should help make that online job search a breeze!
Define what you’re looking for…
What job role do you want? Do you see yourself in a big corporation or small company? An NGO or maybe the public sector? Would you move and work in another country? What’s your ideal salary? Do you want to work full- or part-time? Narrowing down the parameters of your search before you start will help to bring up results relevant to you.
…and then be willing to compromise
If you find that you’re not getting any results, try being more flexible in your requirements rather than just deciding to leave it for a day. It could be something as simple as using a broader search term, increasing the distance you’re willing to commute or searching by industry instead of job title. Work out what’s really important to you and what you could compromise on, and take it from there.
Don’t be put off by job titles
Job titles can sometimes seem illogical or misleading and it can be easy to miss an opportunity because of this. Don’t dismiss a job just because the job title isn’t what you expect – it’s the job description that matters.
Find the right websites for you
Online job websites are great, but there are a lot of them out there. Try out different sites and you’ll quickly discover which have interfaces you like and bring up the best search results. LinkedIn can be a great place to start thanks to its job-hunting capabilities, features and increasing popularity among employers, so make sure you get the most of it.
Also, don’t forget that lots of industries have specialised job sites and that there are portals like EURES offering access to various opportunities for young people. Doing a quick search online will help you find these.
Set up job alerts
Even when you’ve identified the best job websites for you, sifting through them can still be really time consuming. So why not set up some job alerts or subscribe to an RSS feed? Many job sites allow you to do this with the click of a button. Then the next time someone posts a job that matches your criteria, you’ll get an email straight to your inbox. Simple!
Visit company websites
Not all companies use job websites; some prefer to post vacancies on their own sites instead. Make sure you know who the major players in your industry are and visit their sites regularly. It can also be worth sending them a spontaneous application even if they’re not actively recruiting – you never know what their future plans might be!
Apply for jobs when you find them
When job hunting online, it can be really tempting to favourite a job that interests you, with the intention of coming back to it later. Resist the urge! Even if the closing date for applications is three weeks away, it’s a good idea to get yours in there quickly. If the position is a popular one, the employer may only choose to look through a limited number of applications and you don’t want to miss out.
So there you have it: eight tips to get you job hunting online like a pro. By following these simple steps you should be able to speed up your job search, search more effectively and hopefully find that dream job. Happy searching and good luck!
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Details
- Publication date
- 16 February 2017
- Authors
- European Labour Authority | Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
- Topics
- Youth
- Sector
- Accomodation and food service activities
- Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies
- Activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods- and services
- Administrative and support service activities
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Construction
- Education
- Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
- Financial and insurance activities
- Human health and social work activities
- Information and communication
- Manufacturing
- Mining and quarrying
- Other service activities
- Professional, scientific and technical activities
- Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
- Real estate activities
- Transportation and storage
- Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
- Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles