The Best Places to Apply for Jobs Online
Job searching and the application process have changed quite a bit with our increased dependence on the Internet. In fact, today, most jobs are applied for online. Sometimes it's just by emailing resumes and cover letters, but even more often it's by going through a job search engine or job board, or by applying directly through the employer’s website. Regardless, it's important to find the best places for you to find and apply for jobs online.
Craigslist.org
First, where should you look? A surprising forerunner is Craigslist.org. Despite its previous reputation for being more of an online garage sale, and despite being one of the least aesthetically-pleasing sites ever created, Craigslist has become a popular and easy place to post and find jobs. It divides opportunities into convenient categories and provides a large range of small to large companies. The advantage and disadvantage of it is that you search by region, so you can focus on the area you want to live in, but have to double your efforts if you're looking in more than one place.
Indeed.com
Indeed.com is another excellent place to look. They pull jobs listed on many other sites so that you can find more of what you're looking for all in one place. Clicking on any listing to learn more brings you to whichever site the job was originally listed on, whether it be a local newspaper or the company's website. Thus, Indeed.com is a place for finding jobs, not for applying for jobs. That is done separately, but it is a very good place to look no matter how wide or narrow your search is.
Monster.com
Another well-known and well-used site is Monster.com. What sets it apart from others is the huge number of jobs listed and the ease of applying for jobs because of the profile you set up with your resume uploaded. However, this is also the site's weakness. There are many jobs available, but it doesn't boast the best success rate. Applications received through Monster.com may not receive as much consideration.
Other Noteworthy Sites
There are many other general sites, such as Simplyhired.com, Jobdango.com, Careerbuilder.com, and Linkup.com. Then, there are locally-focused sites or the classifieds of online newspapers. Also, there are industry-focused sites to look at. Some examples are Governmentjobs.com, Engineerjobs.com, Teachers-teachers.com, or Constructionjobs.com. Additionally, there are sites based on experience or income, such as Collegerecruiter.com or Theladders.com. The more you know what you're looking for, the easier your search will be.
However, while adding ease, applying for jobs online does take away the initial face-to-face interaction, making it difficult for you to stand out. Reach out, network, and find a good contact that can recommend you to those hiring. Connections are still the best way to get a job. Also, it is recommended by experts that you tailor your cover letter and resume to specifically fit each job opportunity. Make a good base resume, and then switch the order or emphasis of things based on the job description and requirements. Keep in mind that the end goal is getting hired, not just applying to as many jobs as possible. That sounds obvious, but it is actually easy to lose track of when shuffling through job listings in a bad economy.
