How to Leverage the Internet to Secure a Job - CareerAlley

How to Leverage the Internet to Secure a Job - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. The internet has changed everything. Millions of people all over the world now use the web as a source of news and opinion, for entertainment, and to shop. Of course, this growth has had an impact on the job market, too. The rise of Monster and other huge job boards has made it easier than ever to search for a job online. But with the market being so saturated, how much of a chance do you have of securing a job that you apply for online? Unfortunately, its likely that even the most intelligent, driven and experienced of candidates will have at least a couple of their applications sent straight to the Deleted folder. In order to maximise your chance of reaching the interview stage, there are a couple of strategies that you can focus on. Big Boards Draw Big Crowds Huge job sites are like beacons for the unemployed. With thousands of jobs being posted every single day, its easy to get stuck hitting the refresh button and submitting your CV to each new opportunity alongside a hundred other candidates. Its probably unwise to avoid the large boards altogether, especially if you use some of the networking tactics outlined later in this post, but broadly your time is better spent hunting out vacancies elsewhere. A quick Google search is all it will take to reveal smaller, industry-specific boards where you will be competing with a smaller number of applicants and where your rsum is more likely to be viewed. Specialist discussion forums, too, can be goldmines. Primarily this is because community members may post about employment opportunities which are confined to company websites. These are jobs that you would never find on a large board, and which you might have to spend hours sniffing out unassisted. In niche industries, you may even find vacancie s being advertised directly on the forums. Networking Traditionally, if you wanted to get your foot in the door with a potential employer, you would meet them at an industry event, or be introduced by a mutual contact. Of course, this does still happen. However, if you dont have many contacts within the industry, your life is made far easier by social networks. This fact is no secret Forbes agrees but it deserves a slightly more in-depth look. This strategy mainly applies to small businesses and startups, but even big firms may be targeted if you cosy up to recruiters or senior staff. Simply put, platforms such as Twitter allow you to communicate in a semi-informal manner with relative strangers. It is very easy to build up a relationship from nothing using the power of the Internet. What you are trying to do is first be noticed, then build trust, and leverage that trust to support your search for a job. You can do this by engaging directly with your target and their interests. As you become familiar with their likes and dislikes, you will be able to bring relevant material to their attention and start up a conversation. Add your input and show off your expertise. If they have a blog, offer to write a post. Add them to your contacts on Google+ or Linkedin. Once youve built up this relationship, its easy to send them a quick tweet Hi [name], just saw youre hiring for [open position]. Can you offer any suggestions that will help me support my application? Remember, you dont need to be their friend though that would certainly help! All you want is for them to remember your name. Tom James is an online recruiting expert whos helped hundreds of candidates find their dream job. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook