What are the best ways to search for information online as an administrative assistant?

2 Use specialized search engines and databases

Another way to improve your online information retrieval is to use specialized search engines and databases that are tailored to your topic, industry, or field. For example, if you are looking for academic or scholarly information, you can use Google Scholar, which indexes articles, books, dissertations, and other sources from various disciplines. If you are looking for business or financial information, you can use Statista, which provides statistics, reports, and charts on various topics and markets. If you are looking for legal information, you can use LexisNexis, which offers access to cases, statutes, regulations, and other sources of law. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can explore different options and find the best one for you.

3 Use keywords and synonyms

Another tip to enhance your online information retrieval is to use keywords and synonyms that are relevant and specific to your search query. Keywords are the main words or phrases that describe your topic or question, and synonyms are alternative words that have the same or similar meaning. Using keywords and synonyms can help you avoid missing out on important results that might use different terms or expressions than you do. For example, if you are looking for information on how to write a resume, you can also use synonyms such as CV, curriculum vitae, or biodata. To find synonyms, you can use a thesaurus or a keyword tool, or simply brainstorm some ideas.

4 Use bookmarks and folders

Another way to optimize your online information retrieval is to use bookmarks and folders to organize and save the results that you find. Bookmarks are a feature of most web browsers that allow you to mark and store the web pages that you want to revisit or access later. Folders are a way of grouping and categorizing your bookmarks according to different criteria, such as topic, project, date, or priority. Using bookmarks and folders can help you keep track of your sources, avoid losing or forgetting them, and save time and effort when you need to retrieve them. To learn how to use bookmarks and folders in your web browser, you can check out this guide from Mozilla.

5 Use online courses and tutorials

The last way to improve your online information retrieval is to use online courses and tutorials to learn new skills and techniques. Online courses and tutorials are educational resources that you can find on various platforms and websites, such as Coursera, Udemy, YouTube, or Khan Academy. They can teach you how to use different search engines, databases, tools, and methods to find information online more effectively and efficiently. They can also help you develop your critical thinking, evaluation, and analysis skills, which are essential for online information retrieval. Depending on your goals and interests, you can choose from a variety of topics and levels, and learn at your own pace and convenience.