| So here you are, a fresh-faced job seeker with a | | | | It's sad, really, because although the Internet is |
| professionally written resume in hand (or on your | | | | definitely a great research tool and has some great |
| hard drive, anyway). You are a mixture of emotions: | | | | resources, it has really taken on a reputation that it |
| anxious, a little excited, uncertain, maybe even a bit | | | | cannot live up to, particularly when it comes to the |
| bitter about having to look for a new job in the first | | | | job search. |
| place. But most of all, you are hopeful. | | | | Why don't these sites work? The reasons are |
| It sounds so easy...and so quick. | | | | diverse, but essentially, many companies post for |
| But after a few frustrating weeks, you soon find out | | | | positions that they either end up filling internally or |
| that it is anything but easy or quick. You've spent | | | | through other connections (referrals, recruiters, etc.). |
| practically whole days combing the Internet, uploading | | | | Employers are often bombarded with applications |
| your resume everywhere, replying to posting after | | | | through these postings, and it can take them weeks |
| posting...and what do you have to show for it? | | | | to get through them all. In many cases, they may |
| Probably very little. | | | | even give up looking through these applicants to |
| Now you're experiencing even more emotions, | | | | pursue some other avenue for finding the best |
| including anger. And you are ready to blame | | | | candidate. |
| someone. You probably start with your resume | | | | Listen. At the end of the day, a job search is all |
| writer because after all you spent good money to | | | | about action. And although these sites keep you |
| see results. And so far, you aren't seeing results! | | | | busy filling in online questionnaires and uploading files, |
| Before you clobber your resume writer, however, let | | | | more times than not, your info ends up in some black |
| me clue you in on a dirty, little secret: Online job | | | | hole, never to see the light of day again. So all that |
| posting sites are the most ineffective way to get a | | | | time you spent equates to nothing more than busy |
| job! | | | | work. |
| Yes, it is true. And the bigger they are, the more | | | | Does that mean I think you shouldn't bother with |
| ineffective they seem to be. Depending on which | | | | these sites? Not necessarily. I think you need to be |
| report you find, these sites have a less than 4% | | | | careful in the ones you choose to spend time with. |
| effectiveness rate. And when you ask most job | | | | Find ones that are more local to your area and |
| seekers where they spend the bulk of their | | | | specialize in your field. Don't get waste time with too |
| job-seeking time, they will tell you that they spend | | | | many, and instead use the Internet to research |
| 85-90% of it on the Internet. | | | | companies, hear about potential openings, link up with |
| I know, I know. These sites are popping up | | | | old colleagues, and find valuable resources like group |
| everywhere. And why not? Job seekers are now | | | | job hunting forums. |
| convinced that they are the answer to their prayers. | | | | |