So it’s 2013 – the world didn’t blow up and all the celebrations are finally over. That means only one thing to those still unemployed, time to start the job search back up in a brand new year. If you were hoping for the easy way out such as the world ending, well tough. Here’s our guide to help you find work online in 2013.
Online Job Websites
Looking online for work really is one of the best ways to search for employment. If you want to maximise your chances of finding a professional job position, you really can’t fault what putting your CV online could do for you.
The trick, however, is in knowing how to make the Internet do the work for you by increasing the exposure of your CV to as many online recruitment agencies and employers as possible. By doing this, you ensure that you have many agencies out there looking to match your skill set to their client’s job vacancies. Some of the larger websites on which you can create a profile, cover letter and upload your CV to are:
The beauty of these sites is that they allow employers and agents to search exactly for someone with your skill set via keyword searches. Be sure to list your skills in your CV and where there’s an opportunity on the website, make sure you list the job title you want in as many ways possible, for example ‘SEO, Search Engine Optimiser, SEO Executive, SEO Programmer’.
Don’t forget to use the search functions on these sites so you can manually submit your CV to a job you like. It will give you an edge on other job hunters if you’re proactive, as it can get quite competitive out there with many people applying for the same job.
Niche Job Sites
The World Wide Web is also an ideal place to find work if your specific industry is a niche area. For example, let’s say your expertise is in surveillance, risk management or securing and testing computer networks. These are not typically the kind of jobs present on mainstream websites. By searching through a specialist site, applicants will be able to utilise search tools tailored towards their chosen career paths.
Many websites exist to provide employment opportunities like these, including:
- http:// www.acumin.co.uk/ – information security and risk management jobs
- http://uk.progressiverecruitment.com/ – oil/gas, engineering and pharmaceuticals
Speculative Emails or a Current Vacancies Section
If you’re an accountant and looking for work in a particular area – such as Surrey, for example – try typing into Google ‘accountants in Surrey’. Guess what? You’ve just found thousands of potential employers.
Two techniques to utilise online are simply enquiring speculatively as to whether a company has any suitable vacancies available and also searching their website for a ‘Current Job Openings’ section.
If you use the first method, make sure you email a good covering letter outlining your situation and what your objectives are, along with your CV. You can read about creating good covering letters on the National Careers Service website.
If you’re using the later method as you’ve found an actual opening for work in the careers section of a company’s website, then use the information in the job description to write a more targeted and focused covering letter to sell yourself.
Traditional Job Hunting Methods
Engaging in traditional techniques to look for work should not be forgotten. Using high street employment agencies, your local government employment office, job sections in newspapers, word of mouth and networking opportunities, sending mailshots of speculative letters and even cold calling businesses will have the desired effect of helping you to achieve your goal.
The internet is a great tool to find a job, but remember this: if you don’t find work straight away, don’t be too disheartened. It really is only a matter of time, if you’re working hard at finding a job, before you get one.
ABOUT AUTHOR:
Beverly works for Acumin, an international recruitment specialist offering executive searches in areas such as Penetration Testing, Information Security and Risk Management, Technical Security and Governance and Compliance. Acumin was established in 1998 and are the hosts of RANT (Risk and Network Threat Forum), an event which provides regular, informal networking opportunities for senior-level professionals operating in London’s Risk Management and Information Security market. As an international specialist in IT security recruitment, Acumin works with clients across Europe, the UK and the United States. Find out more at www.acumin.co.uk
