How Are You Using The Internet to Job Search?

How are you using this great technology called the Internet to find your next job? Hiring managers are inundated with emails with resumes attached. How are you going to get through that maze so the hiring manager looks at you? It's like fighting through an obstacle course. While the Internet is a great tool for getting information about you to a hiring manager, it is even better when used to narrow down your search to companies where your skills match their needs. Let me explain.



If you are a Project Manager are you sending your resume to every opening seeking a Project Manager or just focusing on those companies wanting a Project Manager where your specific skills and experience match up well with their projects? You are wasting your time sending a resume to companies whose products and services don't match your background and demonstrated successes. You cannot simply hope the hiring authority will spend time searching through your resume to figure out how you match up - you better tell them how you match up and do it quickly.



Use the Internet to research and perform discovery on companies like the one you worked at previously or companies where you were successful. And don't worry if they don't have any open position posted. As we all know most of the better positions are not posted and get filled through networking with someone who knows someone or has contact with the hiring authority in a company who may be looking. It has also been my experience that hiring managers who find the right person will work to get them on board even though there are no current openings, regardless of the economy or business climate. They understand having the right person at the ready pays dividends and will strive to get them hired. If they cannot get them hired, they will certainly make that call when they can make the hire. Be prepared to give them enough info about you that they will stay in touch so when conditions change you will get called.



It may sound old school but snail mail can still work great at getting your resume read by a hiring manager. It is also a good method to get past the screener or recruiter and get direct to the person who makes the decision. If you are an Accountant, find out who in the company manages the financial groups, the VP or President of Accounting or Financial. Do some research on them to find out who they are and check out their bio to find out their background. Then craft a letter of introduction and send them your resume by snail mail expressing your skills and why they need to hire you. If you have done your research you can personalize your letter of introduction by using phrases such as 'like you, I have been in the financial and accounting field since I graduated from college 12 years ago'. You can use phrases and keywords that people in the accounting field are familiar with. Find a way to 'connect' with that manager by spending quality time in your research. When you have given enough time for snail mail to work, make a direct call to their office and introduce yourself. See if they have had the opportunity to look at your resume then make an assumptive marketing pitch like 'when can I come visit with you to discuss job openings on your team? I am available anytime tomorrow.' If they turn you down you can keep their number and make another follow-up call in a few weeks to see if conditions have changed.



Don't get discouraged and be persistent. As an employment counselor I talk to hiring authorities daily to market and promote my clients. To find a hiring manager who really wants to discuss my client and consider an interview I have to call a lot of companies. About 1 in 5 calls made I get to talk with a hiring authority but when I can speak directly with them I usually get an interview even though they might not have any positions open. Worse case they want to see the resume of my client so I can leave the door open to a follow up call to discuss more options.



It is not easy being unemployed. Desperation can set in and you can easily waste time and do a lot of busy work that will not get you that interview. But you can improve your odds at getting an interview by being smart in how you use the Internet and all it has to offer. Take control of your situation and plan how to market yourself as opposed to flooding the web with your resume in hopes you will be discovered.