5 Pitfalls to Avoid While Searching Jobs Online
June 6, 2009 – 2:44 pm
Most of us believe that once we have uploaded our resume on the top online job search sites, the work is done. In fact, it is just the opposite. The process has just begun!
Just enrolling yourself in a job site is not sufficient. There are many other factors that come into play for achieving the best results. Here are the most common pitfalls one should avoid while searching for a job online.
Not having a strategy – Just submitting your resume’s soft copy would not do. You need to have a strategy, a clear picture of what you actually want and how you will go about it. Know exactly what you are looking for. Know the essentials required for the job and ensure you have them. If you have a generic cover note which you are going to use for every application, it might not prove that effective. Tweak the cover notes to make it suitable for a particular job.
Avoiding usage of ‘job jargon’ – Most applicants I know tend to avoid the so called ‘jargon’ in their resume or profile. But what they fail to realize is that in most cases, there is a software that is skimming the resumes for basic job keywords. Even when there is a human, he is ’searching’ using certain job keywords. These keywords are more jargon centric. If your copy does not have these, they would automatically get filtered out. Do stick to the job jargon to be filtered in!
Apply randomly – Another big mistake is to apply for a job everywhere. There is a myth that applying everywhere randomly would provide more visibility and increases the chances of getting a job. Wrong. In fact, it will only make you loose credibility.
Check on your job search only once a week or less – You have applied online, or submitted your resume online and you sit back. You need to be proactive. Keep a tab on each application, follow up aggressively, check your mails everyday so that you do not miss out on any opportunity.
Human networking is not required – Nearly 75% of people I have interacted with believe that if they are going the online way, they can easily evade human networking. But the fact is, that networking is important even then! Look out for any one known in the company you have applied in. Try getting in touch personally with the person who is going to make the decision. Give him a call, write in a mail, let there be a personal touch. Ensure you have a good online and offline networking through communities etc. It always helps.
It is important to realize that applying for jobs online is not the end, but the beginning of the process. After all, you want to land up in a job which you like and which meets most of your parameters and sustain it too…