How to Prepare for an Online Job Search

by Alison Doyle, About.com Job Search Expert and Writer

Anyone, and that’s just about all of us at some point or another in our career, who is job searching needs to be prepared to job search on the Internet.  Most job hunting activities take place online, whether it’s posting your resume to apply for jobs, networking with connections you already know or making new contacts who can help with your job search.

Getting Ready to Job Search

The easiest way to prepare for a job hunt is to start before you need to.   Getting ready in advance will save you time in the long run.   If you’re already scrambling to find a job, don’t worry.  You can build an online presence and start a job search relatively quickly.

First of all, if your resume isn’t current, add all your latest information – jobs, skills, classes, etc. to it. Then keep it up-to-date so it’s ready to share when you need it.

Build an Online Presence

Next, build an online presence. Create a VisualCV.  It’s a terrific way to showcase your candidacy for employment.  Join LinkedIn and create a profile.  In both cases, be sure to include all your relevant skills and experience.  Your goal is to stand out from the crowd and make a great impression on anyone who views them. 

Then ask someone else to take a look at your profiles to make sure they’re perfect. 

Cross promote your candidacy by linking your VisualCV from your LinkedIn Profile and vice versa.   Companies use different sites to source candidates so the more information you have online, the better positioned you’ll be to effectively job search.

Add a link to your Twitter page and to Facebook if you’re using it for professional networking.   To get an idea of how it works, take a look at my VisualCV and you’ll see that I’ve included my About.com Job Search site, my blog, my LinkedIn profile, and Twitter.  On my LinkedIn Profile I’ve included a link to my VisualCV, my web site, and Twitter.

Like with your resume, don’t let your profiles get stale.  Update them frequently.

Grow Your Network

The most important part of being prepared to job search online is to have a network of contacts in place.  Use LinkedIn to connect with people you went to school with, worked with, or have another connection with.  Follow people you know on Twitter, as well as contacts in your industry and career field.

The more contacts you have, the better positioned you’ll be to effectively job search.

Share Your Stuff

The best part of having all your information ready, is that once you have a professional Internet presence, it’s there for whenever you need to use it.  For example, with just a click or two, you can view your VisualCV as a PDF and print it.  Sharing your VisualCV with a contact is easy. Simply click to share via email or to send to a LinkedIn contact or post to Twitter, Facebook, and more networking sites. You can search for jobs on VisualCV and apply directly with your VisualCV.

Taking the time to prepare will not only expedite your job search, it will promote your candidacy for employment throughout your career. Having an online presence can be a great way to grow your career the easy way, because prospective employers can find you - even when you’re not actively job seeking.
 
Alison Doyle is a job search expert with many years of experience in human resources, career development, and job searching, focusing online job searching and job search technology. She has covered job searching for About.com since 1998.   Alison is the author of Internet Your Way to a New Job: How to Really Find a Job Online and the About.com Guide to Job Searching.

Want a copy of Alison's new book? Leave your comment here on why you would like a copy and we'll send you one to help you "Internet Your Way to a New Job". We only have a few copies so make sure to get your comment in soon!

Comments

[carol fishman cohen]

I'd like to get a copy of Allison's book so I can share her ideas with the people I work with who are returning to work after extended leave for child care, elder care, or other reasons

[Raffi]

I would love this book. As in interviewing, just be yourself (conservative and dignified)

[Tim Harsh]

I would love the book, any help in my career advancement is greatly appreciated.

Tim

[Wayne Pagani]

As a leader in Executive Career Transition, I am always looking for the the most current trends to serve clients. I have a copy of Alyson's 1st book and look forward to reading her second edition.

[John R. Gustafson, P.E.]

I would love a copy of the book. At Harrington & Reed, Inc. in Las Vegas, we learn that the job search today is all about the internet. I'm sure this book will add to what we learn and I can share the information with my fellow resource partners.

[Sean Malekjahani]

I NEED! this book due to my only recent appearance on social networking sites like twitter and LinkedIn. I'm trying to learn and use the power of online networking in order to land a job. I appreciate your help.

[Stephanie McDonald]

I'd love a copy of the book. I am often asked for advice from people in a job search, and its nice to have another perspective of a thought leader such as Alyson to give me new ideas!

[Christine D]

Hi Alison. I'd love a copy of your book! As a millennial, I believe the internet has the power to transform and connect, but not through the means we were taught in school anymore. Social connections are the way to go, and I'd like to read your thoughts on how I can utilize and streamline my online presence.

[SarahZM]

Thanks for making this fun offer, Alison. I'd love a copy because you can never know too much about succeeding in your career...and the game keeps changing!

[MI Paralegal]

I'd love a free copy of Internet Your Way to a New Job. I've followed Alison's advice on LinkedIn and VisualCV. Hoping for the best there. I'll take all the help I can get!

[Jen]

I would love a free copy of "Internet Your Way to a New Job" I lost my job Monday, and am very interested in how I can use the internet to help me in my search.

[Sharon Graham, Canada's Career Strategist]

Very good advice, Alison. Many professionals are overwhelmed by social networking, but it can be easy if you take things step-by-step. I recently recommended to my $100k+ clients that building a VisualCV is a great way to start their online presence:
http://tinyurl.com/sgvisualcv

BTW...I would love a free copy of "Internet Your Way to a New Job"

[Mary]

I'm volunteering with mostly low-income job hunters in the basement of a public library. Many of them have never used the internet in job searching. I'd love to be able to share this info with them!

[Mohammed]

I live in the middle-east and little who knows about VisualCV, my new business includes VisualCV profile setup so I need the book to have base knowledge.

Thank you!

[Katrina Kibben]

Thanks to everyone who commented. We're happy we could share these great tips with you and, of course, Alison's new book!

We are now out of copies but you can purchase one here: http://happyabout.info/InternetYourWaytoaNewJob.php

[John C. Wright]

I decided that after reviewing your wonderful blog, that I would really enjoy a copy of your book. I am currently employed but looking for my next opportunity. I have been searching online using various job search websites, but have so far had no luck as the jobs in my field (video editing, production, television) are so sparse in the state of Vermont. I have been executing my search well in accordance with your tips, but could use that little bit of guidance that would push me over the precipice of job search success!