Tackling the online job search

There are many online job resources available to help you find a job. But you must be careful, as not all are authentic. In other words, if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. For instance, if a job post tell you that you can make $50,000 to $100,000 per month, there has got to be a catch. You should also avoid vague offers such as, "We have thousands of jobs" or "We work with major companies." Beware of these red flags!

Job listings are online job search resources including job lists, job banks, job sites, and employment opportunities listed by location and/or career field. Some of the most popular online job listings are:

• www.linkedin.com. Create a profile and connect with employers.
• www.indeed.com. Search jobs by keyword and zip code.
• www.job-hunt.org. Search resources, jobs, and articles by state.
• www.jibberjobber.com. Organize your job search. Network with others. Track applications.
• www.experience.com. Geared towards students and alumni, this site allows users to network with each other, search job postings, and access career information.
• www.usajobs.com. Search job openings in the U.S. government.
• www.careerbuilder.com. Create a profile and search jobs by location.
• www.twitterjobsearch.com. Use the social networking site to search "tweets" for vacancies.
• www.facebook.com. There are over 20 Facebook applications that can help you find a job. Find a list of these apps here.
• http://jobs.myspace.com. With over 106 million members worldwide, it's worth checking out any job openings posted on MySpace.

If you're looking for a job in a particular area of the country, think "local" when you're performing your search. Here are some great places to search for jobs locally:

• Craig's List. Select your state and city, and then select your area of career interest. Jobs are posted by date in a simple format. Watch out for spam!
• Help Wanted Advertisements. Some employers list openings in the local newspaper, so the classified ads are a good source for local jobs. Most papers offer their classifieds section online, too.
• Chamber of Commerce websites. Companies that are members of your local Chamber of Commerce often post openings on the Job Board.
• Visit www.simplyhired.com to search for jobs by city and state, or by zip code.
• If you're looking in Pennsylvania, visit the CareerLink website. Click on the "Browse Jobs" link to search for local jobs, or create a profile and post a resume that's visible to employers.
• Use search engines like Google to refine your search. For instance, use words like "jobs" plus a more specific component/location/job title.

It's also a good idea to browse around company websites, as most organizations post job openings directly on their own site. Look for pages or links titled "Careers" on these websites. Usually, they will include job descriptions and instructions for applying online. Keep an eye out for a future post regarding online job application submissions!