Top Tips to Harness the Power of Job Search Engines

If you’re a stickler for the traditional methods of job searching—meaning you still rely on classifieds, ‘help wanted’ signs, and recommendations from friends and family to find your next job, you could be missing out on a lot of better opportunities if you stubbornly refuse to try modern methods, re: the internet.

These days, online recruitment tools such as job search engines make it easy for applicants like you to find jobs that are better paying and more rewarding than anything you’ve encountered so far.

If this is your first time hearing about job search engines, consider this your crash course on the subject. Learn about how they work, their benefits to you, and how you can maximize their use to achieve your job hunting goals faster and more efficiently.

How do job search engines work?

As you may have gathered from the name, job search engines function just like typical search engines like Google and Bing, except their sole focus is on the job market. These online tools collect job listings from multiple sources all over the internet, including recruiter listings, company career sites and pages, and job boards. By aggregating and consolidating job listings, job search engines eliminate the job seeker’s need to look for jobs in multiple locations, thus streamlining the job-hunting process.

Examples of popular job search engines are Indeed, SimplyHired and LinkUp. These applications sift through the job postings of the small, medium, and large companies to ensure a comprehensive resource of job vacancies for those who want to send a resume and apply.

Generally speaking, job search engines let you do three things:

• Job search power point 1: Search for jobs by industry, job title, geographical location, skills, experience, and/or interests.
• Job search power point 2: Apply directly to companies with vacant positions.
• Job search power point 3: Write resume and post it for employers to find in case they are looking for someone with your qualifications.

Job search engines are among the most effective tools you can use to land the ideal job, and it pays to know a few strategies to enjoy its potential and further your career.

Practical tips for using job search engines

Granted, there are plenty of job search engines out there, and you may find that one or two of these are enough for you. Job search engines typically have a broad selection of available jobs, and it’s up to you to tweak your techniques to get the results you need.

1. Create an account

Most job search engines let you create an account on their site for free. Having an account usually gives you access to site features that wouldn’t be available otherwise, so it’s highly recommended that you do. It’s straightforward to have your account on these sites, with some only requiring you to submit a username and password, and you’re done.

2. Go mobile

After selecting the job search engine/s that work best for your needs, install their app on your mobile phone or tablet. This way, you can quickly and easily search for job postings whenever and wherever you have a gap in your schedule, such as waiting in line at Starbucks or during your daily commute.

3. Get active in networking forums

Networking forums are an excellent resource for job seekers, as these usually consist of like-minded people who share and discuss job search tips and help each other out. Check out the available networking forums on your selected job search engines that make sense for you to join. You can browse and view the various forums available by topic, or create your own topic to get answers on a query that hasn’t been discussed yet.

4. Turn on job alerts

If the job search engine you’re using has a job alert feature, make sure to activate it. By setting up a job alert, you’ll be updated with a notification telling you that an opening that meets your criteria has been posted on the site. This can be a useful feature that ensures you are one of the earliest applicants for the job, which means your resume will be one of those that the employer reads first.

5. Learn to use advanced filters

Reviewing and applying to open positions can turn into an instant time-sucking activity if you don’t go about it in a purposeful and organized manner. And so it pays to know how to use advanced filters on job search sites to help you get more targeted results and save time. These technical search features let you enter multiple criteria to streamline your search, instead of just using a job title blindly. For example, Indeed’s advanced filters let you select by company name, job type, location, salary, and more.

6. Don’t give up on those traditional methods

You need to make use of all the tools in your arsenal, so don’t abandon the job hunting methods that you’ve grown accustomed to. Try to use one to assist your efforts in the other. Maximize your chances of landing that elusive perfect job with a multi-prong strategy that includes job search engines, networking, and word of mouth.

7. Post your resume

Just like job seekers, many employers use job search engines to find qualified candidates. If you don’t post your resume, then employers will never find you. If you’re worried about posting personal information online, most sites will let you choose who will be able to access it. Likewise, sensitive information, such as an address, phone number, and email, will only be visible to employers you apply or respond to.

Optimizing your resume

You should know that aside from job search engines, you also have to contend with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)—smart software that evaluates your resume before it is read by recruiters. You need to ensure that your resume is optimized for these systems to boost your chances of securing that crucial first interview.

Resumeble has expert professional resume writers who have helped many others like you overcome ATS systems and get an interview. Our services come with a 60-day interview guarantee. Contact us today and build your resume with us.