Posting your resume on job sites can be frustrating, especially if you get very few responses. However, if you have posted your CV on a few job seeking websites and it isn’t viewed within the first two weeks after posting there are a few tricks you can try to improve your odds. It is important to remember that even internet-based job hunting should be an interactive process and you have to be prepared to put your back into it.
Here are a few things you may try to get your profile noticed on job posting sites such as JobTopia.
Reconsider your answers on the sign-up questionnaire:
When setting up a profile on a job search site you should set aside at least two hours to complete the initial sign-up questionnaire. The keywords and phrases you use during this procedure can make or break your chances of being found by potential employers.
Keep your CV handy in different formats:
When uploading your resume to a job site you will often find that it asks for the document to be posted into a text box using a text-only/ASCII format and you should have such a copy ready if need be. Some sites, on the other hand, allow you to upload a formatted copy of your CV that can be forwarded to potential employers. In most cases an MS Word document will suffice.
Be thorough in your job description:
While filling out the start-up questionnaire it is imperative that you don’t simply repeat what is already on your CV. Use strong industry keywords and -phrases when describing your duties and perhaps mention interesting projects you are currently involved with. The aim of this bit of your profile is to whet the reader’s appetite so they will move on to read your full CV.
List ALL your skills:
You may only have training or a little bit of experience in a certain field, but that is easily remedied by listing it as ‘entry-level’ or ‘rudimentary’. You never know which of the skills you deem redundant in terms of job hunting might be the one that could bowl over a prospective employer.
Update, update, update:
Once you have successfully uploaded and compiled your online job seeking profile you cannot simply sit back and rest on your laurels. In order to ensure that your profile remains at the top of the list of candidates in your particular field of interest, it is recommended that you update and resubmit your profile every 14 to 30 days. Also go through the website on a regular basis and express interest in positions posted by prospective employers - the more active you are on the job porthole, the greater the chances that you’ll be noticed.
If you know how to use it correctly job posting sites can be a great resource, so keep up to date with profile trends and reap the fruits of your labour! |