How can you use online job boards to find job opportunities effectively?

Don’t use job boards. Period. 75% of the jobs don’t really exist. 50% are already promised to inside candidates. 25% are just old or never existed since they serve as a form of cheap advertising. Network instead. Email me for my top 5 networking tips. [email protected]

The most frustrated job seekers use a 100% job board/application approach. It's time-consuming with near-zero feedback and lacks human interaction. I see job postings as a way to understand who's hiring, what's being hired, and other trends. But trying to stand out among hundreds of applicants is tough. I recommend compiling a list of 25-50 companies that are a good customer/product/culture match. Follow those companies & potential hiring managers on LinkedIn. Find opportunities to interact & share expertise. Get noticed by then connect directly with decision makers. They may reject your advance, but you will be seen and considered. See the "LinkedIn $1.80 strategy" for a simple and effective plan that can be implemented today.

Use a niche job board! One specializing in listings within your specific industry or profession. You will find a curated selection of opportunities aligned with your expertise and career goals. I want to add that such platforms often attract employers who value specialized skills, increasing your likelihood of finding a match.

Look for industry-specific job portals and associations. Depending on your field, there may be specialized job boards that cater specifically to your niche. These platforms often feature opportunities tailored to your expertise!

There are so many great (and not so great) job boards on the market. Selecting the right online job boards for effective job hunting involves several key considerations. I recommend identifying job boards that specialize in your industry or profession, as these will likely have more relevant opportunities. It is also important to assess the job board's reputation, user interface, and features, such as search filters and notification options. You should also search for boards with a robust user community and employer presence, as these are more likely to offer a diverse range of job listings.

There are so many articles out there which focus on ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) but it is humans who will read your CV/resume, so please make it a document you would want to read if you were hiring. Is your CV/Resume the same as so many others, just a chronology of where you attended or is it a report of your quantifiable achievements? Lets face it hiring managers are looking for folks who can vs. people who might!

As a career coach o know that each one of my clients may need a different format depending on their situation and what they are targeting. Consider whether a reverse chronological, functional, combination or one page bio will suit. The industry you’re in may require a CV rather than a resume. So make sure you provide what is required. I’m currently working on a resume for an actor who needs an actor’s resume for their agency and that is completely different from corporate resumes. So consider your target audience, your current situation, and tailor your resume accordingly.

Optimizing your resume and profile is essential to stand out on job boards. Tailor both to match the keywords and job requirements of your target positions while emphasizing your achievements and skills. Maintain a professional and consistent format, and ensure there are no spelling or grammar errors. Regularly update your resume and profile to reflect your latest accomplishments and status, showing that you're an active and qualified candidate. This approach increases your visibility and appeal to recruiters.

Craft a unique cover letter for each application. A personalized cover letter demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and the company. Address the specific requirements of the job, explain how your skills align, and share why you're excited about the opportunity.

Pro Tip: Your #1 priority as a job seeker is to update your resume and LinkedIn profile. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and accomplishments, using keywords that match your desired positions. On LinkedIn, update your profile summary and headline to reflect your career aspirations, engage with industry-specific content, and expand your network by connecting with professionals in your field. This strategic alignment between your resume and LinkedIn profile will enhance your online presence and increase your visibility to potential employers.

Some companies will advertise a particular role on their company careers page, but not on an external job platform. So making a list of the companies you want to work with, then registering for job alerts on their company careers page, can ensure you don't miss out on all the opportunities.

Explore a variety of filters to discover unexpected opportunities. Don't limit yourself to a single set of criteria. Trying different combinations may reveal jobs that are an excellent match for your skills and aspirations.

Technology is great, isn't it?! It is when you leverage it to your advantage, like in the case of using filters and alerts during your job search. You can use filters and alerts effectively in your job search by setting specific criteria that match your job preferences. When searching on job boards or websites, apply filters for job type, location, industry, and other relevant factors to narrow down your search results to the most suitable opportunities. You could also create email alerts or notifications for your filtered searches so that you're instantly informed about new job postings that align with your criteria, allowing you to stay far more proactive in your job search.

Filters and alerts are useful, but be sure to cast a wide net. If your search is too narrow, you may miss out on potential opportunities. There might be alignment between your skillset and a new role you have not thought of previously. Priya, aiming for a mid-level management role in a tech startup in San Francisco, set up specific filters on her preferred job boards. This refined search meant she was no longer sifting through unsuitable listings in unrelated industries. Additionally, by setting up email alerts, Jack, an aspiring graphic designer, ensured he never missed out on opportunities, even snagging a role just hours after it was posted.

For instance, if you are looking for a software engineering position in San Francisco with a salary range of $80,000-$100,000, you can set these filters in your job board search. This will exclude irrelevant job listings and present you with targeted results, saving you time and effort. Additionally, setting up alerts can be highly beneficial. By configuring alerts based on your filters, you will receive notifications via email or app whenever new jobs matching your criteria are posted. This ensures that you stay updated on the latest job opportunities without actively searching for them constantly. It can be particularly advantageous in a competitive job market, where new positions may get filled quickly.

Speed is crucial in the competitive landscape of online job boards, but always balance quickness with quality. Hastily submitted applications may be riddled with errors or may not fully align with the job's requirements. While it's beneficial to apply promptly, always ensure your application stands out in terms of content and presentation. After Nina spotted an enticing position, she acted fast, applying within a day. Yet, she always took the time to tailor her cover letter and resume, ensuring relevance. Post-application, Sam realized the importance of not letting the communication trail go cold. He sent a courteous follow-up email, reaffirming his enthusiasm, leading to a positive feedback loop with his potential employer.

Some platforms like LinkedIn show you the job poster (if that feature is enabled) some job boards like Indeed, allow you to send a follow-up email to the recruit. Follow-ups are a great way of getting right under the nose of a recruiter or hiring manager, but making your interaction personal and not generic is so important.

Job boards are great to find the job, but networking on LinkedIn is great to get your resume in the door! After you spot the perfect job on your favorite job board, go look up the company on LinkedIn. See if you know anyone at the organization. Once you find that person, reach out to them via email (you'll find their email address under the Contact info link on their profile). Send an email because we all check our emails 3000 times a day! Ask your contact if their company has a referral bonus because you just found a role that you are a 90% match for and want to submit a resume this week. Make it a win-win for both of you!

Networking is one of the most powerful tools in your job-search toolkit, but doing it right is where most people fall down. A referral can really get you noticed by a potential employer, but thought and effort count! Utilize your existing LI network and ask previous colleagues for their advice or to put you in touch with any contacts they might know. Meanwhile, continue to build your LI network, follow individuals at companies you're interested in and interact with leaders in your space.

While job boards are invaluable, never underestimate the power of personal connections and company research. A referral or well-researched comment during an interview can make all the difference. However, networking should be authentic; genuine interactions often lead to long-lasting professional relationships. Jake started attending industry webinars and conferences, not just to seek job opportunities, but to truly connect and learn. This authentic approach landed him a referral for a position that was under-the-radar. On the other hand, before her scheduled interview, Lisa scoured company reviews and news articles. During her interview, she posed insightful questions based on her research, leaving a lasting impression on her interviewers.

In addition to searching for job postings, leverage these platforms to connect with industry professionals, join relevant groups, and participate in discussions. Engaging with others can lead to insights about unadvertised job opportunities and referrals. Also, you can research companies you're interested in, following their profiles and staying updated on their job postings. For instance, if you aim for a marketing role, connect with marketing professionals on LinkedIn, participate in marketing-related groups, and research companies with active marketing departments. This proactive approach combines networking and research, enhancing your chances of discovering job opportunities that align with your career goals.

Networking has always been the best way to get your message out there and to do your part in unlocking the "hidden job market". A perspective I have is you need to be ready first! Prepare your CV/resume, and have a strong "Thank you" note outline to customize for each network opportunity/contact you make. BUT, do not forget to thank the person in the conversation for their input in your search.

You should consider finding groups (i.e. university alum, shared career field, passion projects, etc.) on LinkedIn, joining them, and leveraging that smaller network to help you where needed. I find that many candidates NEVER think about this approach.

Job seeking is a multi-faceted journey, and it's essential to remain adaptable and open-minded. Sometimes, the best opportunities arise from unexpected sources or situations. Being receptive to feedback, open to courses for upskilling, or even considering roles slightly off your envisioned path can open doors. Zoe, in her quest, realized that sticking strictly to her planned path limited her. By diversifying her approach, attending offline networking events, and even considering roles she hadn't initially eyed, she found herself with multiple compelling offers.

Start by creating a comprehensive profile highlighting your skills and experience. Customize your search filters to target specific job titles, industries, and locations, and set up email alerts to receive new job postings. Please regularly check and apply to relevant positions, and then you can tailor your resume and cover letter for each application. Networking on these platforms can also yield valuable connections and referrals. For instance, engage in industry discussions on LinkedIn and connect with professionals in your desired field to increase visibility. By utilizing online job boards strategically and actively participating in the digital job-seeking community, you can maximize your chances of finding suitable job opportunities.

?? Sign up to get notifications for jobs that suit you. ?? Use exact words to find what you're looking for. ?? Narrow down your job search by using filters for place, type of work, pay, and more. ?? Learn about the company before you apply to make sure it's right for you. ?? Connect with people in your field and join groups on job board. ?? Keep your information on your profile up to date to have a better shot with employers. While job boards help in job searches, LinkedIn networking can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed.

Offering your expertise on platforms like Quora, industry-specific forums, and notably LinkedIn, not only establishes your authority but can significantly catch the eye of recruiters or company representatives. On LinkedIn, consider contributing to collaborative articles or engaging in discussions related to your field. Sharing your insights and collaborating with others showcases your knowledge and passion. Moreover, penning articles reflecting your professional stance on trending industry topics can build a unique voice around what you do. This active online presence, coupled with networking, can lead to unexpected job opportunities, making your job hunt enriching and effective.